“People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
So you just dropped a tidy sum to attend a seminar or some other three-day event. Now it’s over and you’re exhausted. Your client work is backed up. You have a fistful of business cards to connect with. And your family would like some face time. Time to get back into the swing of life, right? Wrong.
I go to A LOT of seminars. Rubbing shoulders with my colleagues, talking over dinner and debating our hottest industry issues at a live event is honestly one of my secret weapons to success.
Here’s a checklist of 12 lessons from any seminar you can apply to future events to maximize your momentum:
Write a note to niggle your noggin – Take a second right then and there to write something on the back of their business card that will remind you of your conversation. Don’t trust yourself to remember. These events can be draining. Just make a note.
Categorize each business card – Take 4 rubber bands and put each card into one of these categories: a) potential client, b) joint venture, c) general and d) stalker/creepy person (hopefully this is a small pile). Piles “a” & “b” should be a priority for you to follow up with when you get home. Pile “c” can take a few days but don’t forget them. And pile “d” you can destroy privately.
Keep a portable notebook or recorder with you – You’re going to get some brilliant ideas. Save them for posterity immediately. Also make sure you make a note of any follow up action you promise. Personally, I keep a spiral bound index card booklet with me. The paper is firm enough it doesn’t rip. Then I can detach them at home and sort out my thoughts.
Some people actually keep a small digital recorder around their necks.
Great idea!
Secondly, you always get a much better deal onsite! If you’re moved by a speaker, then let that person teach you his or her expertise. Seminars are the best places to find and connect with your mentor. (Now that I think about it, every mentor I’ve had I met in person at a seminar first. Hmmm. I don’t know if that’s so for everyone, but I believe in the power of taking a piece of a dynamic, successful speaker home with you.)
Warning: Do NOT sign them up automatically for anything, even f~ree stuff like an ezine or e-course. It’s okay to include a link to your site in your signature line or the P.S., but don’t assume they want your materials unless they opt in. A phone call or a postcard will make you stand out even more.
Like I said, seminars have become my business bread and butter. They can work for you too. Will I see you at the next event?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
International copywriting trainer, author and speaker, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero has been a freelance writer and journalist for over 25 years. Her words have made her clients hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now she focuses her vast experience on teaching others the skill of copywriting. Lorrie is the author of a highly acclaimed copywriting course, creator of the Red Hot Copywriting Bootcamp and founder of Copy Campus, a unique membership resource site designed to support copywriters and entrepreneurs on all levels. Visit her site to learn more at www.red-hot-copy.com.







