Networking For Dollars

Conferences Cost, But They Pay For Themselves

I know, I know. Airfare prices are jacked up, hotels are overpriced, you can only get gas in exchange for your first child and food prices are out of this world. Still, if your industry has a conference, you need to bootstrap your way there now and then. The Bootstrap Babes bit the bullet last week to attend the 2008 Conference of Handcrafted Soapmakers. (Yes, among our many other talents, we also make beauty products!)

Here we are paling around as business colleagues, friends and sorors. Oo-oop for DST!! (If you don't know what that means, click here to learn more about our sorority.)

We're on a budget, but that doesn't mean we can't scrape together the funds needed for some good old fashioned networking, which always translates into dollars. Here are a few ways networking can work for you personally, professionally and financially.

1. Speak at the conference. If you have expertise that can help others in your industry, speaking at a conference is a great way to build your resume, expand your business options and increase revenues.  Jamila spoke at the conference for the first time, and did a fabulous job I might add! Afterward, she told me that she had record sales of her DVDs at her exhibitor booth. The sales are continuing this week. I was the keynote speaker at the conference last year, and I experienced a similar revenue spike that continues to this day.

2. Take great pictures. There's nothing like taking pictures of yourself having a blast and then sharing them with your website visitors and blog readers. Your customers are interested in more than the products and services you offer. They also want to get to know you. Photos of you engaged with other people and enjoying what you do for a living gives them a glimpse of you that is fun and engaging. When your customers relate to you personally, they trust you more. When they trust you, guess what happens next?

Yes, they choose you to serve their needs instead of someone else.

3. Build new business partnerships. I came away from the conference last week with an invitation to deliver a presentation later this year, some great videos for my Indie Business TV Show and a commitment from a colleague to expand their sponsorship of the Indie Business Radio Show. Sure, all of this could have been accomplished over the phone or by email. On the other hand, our smiling faces over a delicious meal is no doubt part of what sealed these deals.

Not only is it fun to attend conference with like-minded people, it also adds to your credibility factor to be involved in your industry on a scale that transcends your website or storefront. If a trade association serves your industry, get some references and if it looks like your competitors are benefiting, you need to join today. If they have a conference, make plans to start saving to attend the next one. If you play your cards right, you'll make back your investment and then some!

Comments

[LaShanda Henry]

Wow, funny thing, I was looking for an article on the sista that started Doro Marketing and I came across your new blog! This is great, I enjoy reading posts from you on your other spaces. I definitely agree that getting out there and networking with others is a good thing. And I would love to connect with you both on Black Business Women Network. I think your net-fantasic! And your insight would be quite freshing and informative to the members of BBWO - http://sistapreneurs.ning.com.

Continue networking and being a positive source for online entrepreneurs.
-lhenry