The Right Way to Follow Up After Your Games Conferences

This morning, I woke up with the idea that I should jot up a few networking ideas for those of you who are just returning from GDC and heading off to PAX East and prepping for SXSW.

Over the past week, I've fielded several last minute requests for making networking contacts at GDC. It's that frantic push to make every minute count before your flight home. I get it. But, then, you get home and you wonder about the return on investment, right?

Having spent literally two-weeks to follow-up on the contacts I made at E3 last year, I realize the craziness that happens when you return from a trip like that. You're psyched about meetings and information, and you want to process all of it in the most meaningful way for your projects and your business.

So, here's my take on what you should do to squeeze out the best from your "con."

BEFORE YOU GO...

Get Your Virtual House in Order

Make sure your web site is up to date (no ancient blog postings, under construction, or dead links). And, for God's sake, no info@ e-mail addresses or contact forms. If you are promoting yourself in some way, you don't want an executive to have to jump through hoops if they check out your site and want to make contact. Even if you have a private e-mail address on your biz card, that doesn't mean the exec will still have that card when he returns home. Make it easier to make contact with you. You also want to make it less "generic" - more personal.

Make sure your social media accounts are up-to-date. It can never hurt for prospects to see that you are well-connected, visible, and are good at developing a following.

Update your Linkedin profile the way you'd want prospects to see it. Include names of titles or client lists. Put up a new photo, and join the right groups before you head out the door. I guarantee you that some of the people you meet at a con will check you out or seek you out for connection after the event.

I'll share more about how to use Linkedin in your follow-up in a minute.

Your business card should include all means of contact (Skype and Linkedin profile, as well). And, here's a thought - swap out your logo for a photo of yourself on the card. Even if you have to do a limited printing of business cards just for the event, it could turn out to be the most useful thing to do. At an event where everyone is rushing around meeting tons of people, your aim will be to create memory retention for those you meet. In this case, because networking is personal - face-to-face, your face is literally a memory jogger. If you've spent 10 minutes looking at someone's face, you're likely to remember that face if you run across it the next night at a party. And, when you get home, you're more likely to identify that face when you see it on a business card.

Just remember, no matter what you are promoting, business is conducted between people, not logos. You want to create that relationship with YOU. And, especially, in an industry that moves at the speed of light, you'll want to "keep that relationship with YOU." Makes you more valuable.

FOLLOW-UP AFTER THE EVENT:

Thank, Invite, Relationship-build

Send a follow up thank you to those who gave you their time at the event. If necessary, remind them when/where they met you (ie: I appreciated meeting you last Thursday afternoon at Starbucks...)

If you forgot to spiffy up your Linkedin profile before you left, do it NOW. Then seek out those you met or didn't get a chance to meet and invite them into your Linkedin network.

Here's why you really want to play your "Linkedin card" -- your profile contains bits of information that allow people to identify with you. Relationship building is greatly enhanced when people can identify with where you went to school or where you've worked years ago. They might see that you belong to the same groups or that you have mutual acquaintances.

Your profile also contains promotional information that isn't generally shared in the few minutes you'll have to speak to people at an event.

Getting people into your Linkedin network gives you an opportunity to extend your relationship with them. Through Linkedin updates and group postings, you can keep people informed. You can recommend or introduce people to them by sending profiles.

*Note, when you send your follow-up thank you, you can mention that you'll connect with them on Linkedin.

For those of you not so savvy about Linkedin - you'll find C-levels and industry executives who are very active there. And, everyone there is there to network. I find it highly effective - one of my favorite networking tools.

Lastly, set up a follow-up conversation with those you wish. Maybe your meeting was interrupted or you didn't get enough quality time at the con - now's your chance to reconnect and establish yourself.

Take a little time figuring out your game plan on your trip home, but follow-up needs to happen within a week of your return, for optimum results.

Good luck.