How to Best Prepare for Conference on a Budget
First of all, I am so freaking proud of you for going out of your way to attend a conference and learn and meet new people. It can be intimidating but at the end of the day it's so worth it. I have a lot to share so I'll try to make it brief and straight to the point. I recently attended JumpStart Your Biz in a Weekend Conference and it was an intense time where I learned how to create your business. If you're interested in my own personal notes of the conference check out the form.
Conference Tips
- Always ask for a scholarship or a coupon to the director of the conference. You can also ask to volunteer! Make sure to mention your skills and why you would be great to work at their conference. Plus, you'll really connect with the team!
- Get some rest before the conference. Normally conferences start super early and end late and they're mentally exhausting. You will want to have lots of energy that day in order to take the most out of it.
- Create your business card before! I will send you an incredible website and great resources from the conference in the Jumpstart your Business in a Weekend Form. The business cards are excellent quality and only $30-$40 for a set of 200 business cards. That's a deal!
- Also bring any forms that might be useful to show your work such as your resume, a project sample you're very proud of, or even a cover letter. Just be different and be creative.
- Come up with your 30 second pitch. What is a pitch? Basically saying what you do and why but in a super short version. People want to know what you do in one sentence or two.
- Look up the itinerary of the conference and highlight the keynote speakers that you want to connect with. If the itinerary mentions any workshops or people you'd like to connect with then be on the lookout for them to talk to them in person
- Nowadays the conference should have a Facebook event page or Facebook Group! If you have any quick questions or want to connect with the community then find them on social media. You can even see if there is anyone who can host you that lives nearby instead of paying for the hotel room or sharing a room with a random stranger from the Facebook Group. Obviously get to know them first, but it will save you lots of money and you can make a new friend.
- There is a Facebook Group I run for Young Women Empowerment and we'd love for you to join us.
- Take a notebook and take notes of everything
- After the conference:
- Follow up with all those you reached out to but if they don't respond right away don't take it personal usually they're just settling back in their regular schedule. Wait a week and email them again.
- Organize all your business cards on an excel sheet. In case in the future you have any questions about a certain topic it'll be easy to find