A few months ago I participated in one of the largest startups and tech conferences in the Europe - 'Web summit'. This year, according to organisers, there were roughly 30 000 attendees and more than 1000 speakers from 100 countries. Unfortunately, majority of the attending startups weren't prepared for it.
With all these people attending the chances are huge to meet potential team members, investors and advisors. The density of “the right people” during three days of the conference is way bigger than one can expect. Unfortunately, only one or two startups from ten can actually use this mass of people to their advantage. Most of the startups come to big conferences and just stick around their booth the whole time. This attitude works only if your target audience are other startups as most of the people you will meet will be just another startup founder. Fairly rarely investors or media companies go to startups themselves and ask them to pitch. And if they actually decide to have a walk across the aisles - the chances are really slim that they will see all the startups that are present there. That's why you need to work yourself to get that right investor or news outlet representing journalist.
#1 Do the research
Before the conference spend at least few hours to prepare for it. Use
#2 One person at the booth, others - covering the grounds
One person is more than enough to tell the story about the product and answer all the questions. Don’t overcrowd your booth with more, as there is no point to stick around. You will gain more if you will meet new people outside your aisle.
#3 Don’t be afraid to say: 'Hey, how are you?'
Everyone at the conferences are open to meet new people and happy to tell what brings them here. Don't limit yourself to faces that you already know. Just go to anyone and say 'Hello'- you already have a great conversation starter.
Do not waste your time talking with someone who is not relevant to you. Asking their story is the best question to ask. This way you can get to know the person and see if you have some synergy points to kick start the conversation. If not - move on to meeting someone else (To end the conversation politely, just look at the watch and say that you are already late for another meeting).
#5 Forget the stage speakers
Real talks happen not when there is one well known speaker on the stage and thousands are listening, but when you grab that person and ask him that one big question which you were so curious to know about. Most of the time, if you are nice and polite - people will be happy to answer your questions and give you an advise. You just need to ask for it.
#6 Ask around
If you need very specific person to meet and you don’t know how to find him, don’t be afraid to ask others if they know it. Maybe not the first or the second person will be able to help you, but maybe a third shot will be the lucky one. Don't forget to ask for the personal introduction, if possible.
#7 Go to parallel networking events
During any big conference there are always plenty of other networking events, which are happening in the meantime. Meet ups, workshops, presentations and many more activities are there - you just have to find them out.These meet ups have an edge over the conference itself- they are smaller and more intimate, so the chances are bigger to talk with everyone present there.
These are just a few tips which will help you to start. With time you will find many more things which are important. It is no brainer that if you will come prepared for the fight - you will win it. So be bold and go get what you want.
P.S. If you have any more tips - please feel free to share them in the comments.
