Since I'm shortly getting ready to head off to pubcon - I thought I'd put together a quick resource on tips and tricks for those newer to the show. The number one tip would be - don't be shy - talk to people, and talk to LOTS of people. There are few opportunities to discuss all your pressing questions about SEO/SEM with people that ACTUALLY might know the answers. Everyone at the show will be as excited as you to talk about work for longer than 10 minutes without their listener's eye's glazing over. Here's some tips, tricks, and resources, and best practices on understanding conference etiquette. 18 Tips for attending a conference - 1. Always start conversations - always introduce yourself if given the opportunity. Don't be afraid to say something stupid - it's better than saying nothing at all. Take notes on the back of business cards - You WILL forget your conversations no matter how great they were at the time. Take notes on the back of cards about what you discussed and how you might work together. 10. Enjoy the speakers - but catch them later in the day to ask questions that are specific to YOU. Ask general questions in the sessions that will benefit EVERYONE. Also - don't go to the sessions you already know everything about. If you do mainly SEO - sit in on some PPC or shopping feed sessions. You'll generally get inspiration in the areas you HAVEN'T thought much about. 11. Take a list of your most pressing marketing questions and ask several people. The more good opinions you get - the better position you are to form your own. Don't take any answers as FACT. Even the smartest minds in the business have their areas of expertise - and best guesses can often be wrong. 12. Don't hang out with your work crew - split up and compare notes later. It's also intimidating to other people to talk with a group of people that knows each other well, and you'll have less people approach you. 13. Find a group for dinner - it's a nice bonding experience. Order appetizers and drinks because you'll likely split the bill evenly unless you want to be a huge pain in the ass to your server. 14. Don't be pushy about what people do - there are lots of competitors in the same place - and some have a need to be more guarded with their information. On the flipside - don't tell EVERYONE your businessplan step by step. Even good people can sometimes "borrow" a great idea or two - don't tell people something you may regret. 15. PLEASE don't even THINK about blogging what you hear in the bar - Don't blog any conversations without explicitly asking the person first (if you ever want anyone to trust you again). If you DO blog something even remotely close to what you heard - let them look over your draft. Always assume that anything outside what is said on the podium is off limits unless you specifically ask for permission to publish. There's no better way to ensure you won't learn any of the "good stuff" than by being a blabbly blogger. 16. Don't try to buy Matt Cutts a drink, and don't hound the poor guy. Matt is a great guy - but do you REALLY think you're the first person to try to get him liquored up and ask him about the algo? Pretty sure he's secure enough to handle peer pressure on that front. If you have an important relevant question that you MUST ask - ask him and give the guy a break. There are also plenty of other google engineers that will answer you're questions, that you'll more likely get a little face time with. Don't think they're going to tell you their algorithm, or break any secrets to you - just enjoy some mutual interest conversation about search or emerging technology. 17. Create the Oilman about his post pubcon recovery remedies - he's been to more pubcon's than anyone but Brett - and you don't want to be out of work sick when you return. Conferences can be rough on the body. I recommend vitamin C-blast, lots of water, and about a day of straight sleep upon return home More Resources on Search Conferences:
- Jim's list of tips
- Matt's SES tips - Video
- How pubcon is like starwars
- Pubcon first timer tips
Bookmark murdok:
independent marketing consultant from the SEO school of thought. Todd earned a bachelors of business adminstration from Northwood University in 2003 while running an web design and consulting firm Webmasterworld and
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