I’m getting very excited about attending Affiliate Summit East 09 in New York. It’s less than two weeks away. The sold-out event is jam-packed with opportunities to network with industry leaders as well as for me to learn more about new trends, technologies and tools.
Here’s how to I get the most out of the show:
Network
*Be the schmooze master. There are plenty of networking opportunities – in the hall between sessions, on the show floor, after sessions, and at parties. Affiliate Summit Co-Founder, Shawn Collins, has created the ultimate networking guide.
*Do the social networking thing. Sign up for Affiliate Summit Social Networking. It lets you connect with other show goers before the event. You can message, set up meetings, and make new contacts.
*Paint the town red. Get a list of the parties. Events sponsored by the networks - Buy.at, ShareASale, Market Leverage, etc, - are one way to have some fun in the Big Apple and make connections with others. The relaxed environment of these parties often means that people are more open to having conversations.
*Pass out plenty of business cards. If you want to make an impression, there are a variety of ways. But most people will remember you if they can check out your business card when they return to the office. Be sure to have a card that offers room for contacts to write notes on it. It’ll help jog the memory of those you meet.
Get Educated
*Be sure to look at the agenda before you get to New York. Mapping out what sessions you want to attend will insure you make the most of your valuable time.
There are lots of great sessions and Affiliate Summit video tapes all of them and makes them available when the show is over. So, don’t be worried if you miss a session. Of course, you don’t want to miss the panel I’m moderating called Get Noticed Fast. It features Jen Goode, Stephanie Lichtenstein, Trishalyn Fawver and Mike Buechele.
I’m also really looking forward to the two keynotes by Chris Brogan and Peter Shankman. The Sunday session on the Advertising Tax impact is another one that I will not miss. I suggest you get there early. I’m expecting a packed house.
*The Meet Market on Sunday is a major opportunity to have meaningful conversations with merchants about their programs. And if you’re a merchant, it’s a fantastic way to recruit affiliates and see what’s on their minds.
Participate
*Ask questions in sessions. It’s a great way to get on-the-spot advice from experts and get noticed by other attendees.
*Attend the Ask the Experts session. It’s another way to get your tough questions answered and as well as see what your peers are asking about.
*Visit the Problem Solvers Booth. Free advice? Who doesn’t want that? Some of these folks charge hundreds of dollars as consultants and they are giving it out for free at the show. Just belly up to the booth and ask the experts your burning questions. It’s also a good way to get on the radar of the experts.
*Give back. There are many ways to feel good but none as great as helping others. Affiliate Summit has chosen The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of New York City as the show’s charity. You can make a donation for the cause at the Affiliate Marketers Give Back booth at the Meet Market. Or you can tip the experts and donations will go to help the kids.
*Attend the non-session events, including the Tweet Up, the Affiliate Triathlon and the Karaoke party. Being at these gives you an opportunity to mix and mingle in a casual setting and forge some personal and business relationships.
*Be a mentor. It’s not too late to sign up for the Mentor Program, which pairs veteran attendees of the show with newbies. It’s not about offering newbies business advice, but rather helping them navigate the show and maybe making some introductions for them. And you’ll have a new buddy to hang with.
*Use Twitter. There is a list of Twitter addresses of speakers. Be sure to follow them and when you tweet use the hash tag for the event: #ASE09.
You can also listen to the latest Affiliate Thing podcast where guest co-host Jim Kukral and I chat about getting ready for Affiliate Summit.
See you in New York.
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That’s one nice battle plan - anybody that follows this advice should come away with lots of business.