This year’s South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas was one for the books. But how can you get the best outcome for next year’s SxSW conference? Prepare.
Tech conferences can be exhausting both mentally and physically. You can look like an experienced attendee by planning ahead. Whether you are networking, exploring a new field, or checking out cool new tech startups, find out what you want from the event. The first thing you should do is research. Look to see which companies and startups are attending, and what they’re all about.
Secondly, download the SxSW app which allows you to reach out to companies and arrange meetings in advance. Before the event you’ll be emailing and following up, so use a reliable system for notes and contacts. If you’re meeting people at bars, make sure to get their contact details and get in touch, they might not remember meeting you. You’ll meet 40 to 50 people each day, so take notes to remember who you spoke with.
You can also share your schedule with Linkedin or Facebook friends to meet up in mutual locations within the huge event. Walking between venues takes longer than you think, so leave extra time.
When you meet people, make sure to mention how you can add value to what they do. Also, have short answers for questions like “What do you do?” and “What brought you here?” If you ask specific questions in return, you’ll stand out from the crowd. To make the connections you make meaningful, find common ground. It’s quality over quantity when it comes to those connections.
What do you want to get out of the event? Set goals for your time there. Get a sense for the market, competitors and tech savvy people all over downtown Austin.
