The Perfect E3

June 25, 2010: Exactly one week ago today, I was sitting at LAX staring across the isle at a guy I was pretty sure was the idiot who cheated on Sandra Bullock. BTW, Sandy, he’s put on a few pounds since the split. Looked completely miserable – I’d say that I love the justice here…but who doesn’t look miserable at crack of dawn at LAX? On with the real story…

Completely spent of energy after my 3-day network-a-thon, I sat semi-comatose, reminded by my blistered feet why the world’s largest, most extravagant game industry expo is called E3 – Exhausted x 3.

Truly, the enormity of the spectacle that is E3 makes the event memorable, but trying to conduct business in such an atmosphere is, at best, challenging. Wondering what possibilities the enormo stack of business cards I was loading back would hold for my clients and, also for me, I pondered whether or not E3 would be worth returning to next year. Exactly one week later, I’d know the answer. Seventy-two (72) professional introductions for clients, prospects, and friends. Yeah - E3 is worth it.

My Linkedin network has grown by 41. My Twitter following, which had just passed the 1400 mark right before E3 is now pressing close to 1500. Just the right folks for what I do. And the real fun, kiddies, I’m not done making connections. The enormo stack still sits by the laptop glowing with the aura of more potential. Oh, and prospects for the Viz Witch…you betcha! (By the way, I can’t list all 72 of those connections, but you’ll find some of them in the Fresh Connections column to the right).

So, you’re sitting back in your chair wondering how did Mary pull this off.

Well, here’s the deal…what I do as a professional networker puts me in a very unique position. I’m likely the only one at E3 who was there to network with everyone. My own prospects are drawn from the entire industry as I work all aspects, platforms, etc., so even the people who coordinate Indiecade are of interest to me. From the distributors to the media reps, I have reason to swap cards with them all. Clients give me direction, of course, on the types of people they want to know, and, the rest, are people that could be prospects for me or resources for a future client.

Like most everyone, I set up appointments in advance, and, like most everyone, the schedule gets botched, because it’s hard galloping from one end of the 7-mile convention center only to discover you are at the wrong Starbucks. But, unlike everyone, I can view the experience from a much wider perspective. And, I take note of what works and what doesn’t…because that’s what I do. So, I feel compelled to share with you guys some of what I learned from E3 that doesn't work so well...and also what does work. Here we go...

What doesn’t work at E3

-Talking people out of taking your business card if you are working a booth. I experienced this at one of the smaller booths in the back of South Hall. Are you kidding me, people?

-Harboring suspicion. I don’t care if you are in the Game Connection or cubicles where you are working a schedule of appointments, putting a visitor through an inquisition before you consider giving out a business card is the worst kind of PR. Unprofessional and unforgivable. If you are at E3 to meet people, you can't be that surprised when someone shows up to meet you. Thumbs up to those who actually set up an info stand outside their door and encouraged interaction. For you…I’ll swap my card for yours and even share your info with other contacts I make.

-Not sticking to promises. While the pace of E3 is mind-numbing, following through with people as best you can is critical. Jot notes on the back of business cards or use the voice recorder on your cell, but find a way to remind yourself of intended meetings, and, especially of introductions you've promised to others.

-Sitting inside your booth with your colleagues. This is an expo – you can hang out break-room style back at the office. Get your hind-end out in front of your booth. Sitting in a meeting-like setting inside your booth sends a message of unavailability. Standing out in front of your booth – almost in the line of traffic, is welcoming and promotes engagement. I’m not saying yank people into your booth like a carnival barker, but be where they are.

-Not checking your e-mail regularly. You literally cannot hear a phone ring, so relying on people who miss meetings or are running late to call you isn’t going to be the most efficient way to manage the networking. If your phone number requires dialing international access for most of the people you network with, look for them to want to shoot you an e-mail instead. I had one person doing meeting ping-pong with me so extreme that he resorted to using Twitter to try to get a message to me. Glad I was checking.

-Trying to hold a business meeting at a Starbucks or eatery. A) Too loud. B) Too busy-you’ll spend most of your allotted time in line…or simply trying to find the right line. C) You’re going to end up probably having to share a table with others – those others could be media reps or competitors. My very first meeting was on a staircase with a bottle of water and a snack bar provided to me by Cliff Allen of SureToMeet who lives in the LA area--wasn’t even there for E3, but knew exactly what to do. Thank God.

Now...for what actually does work and makes for a Perfect E3