Events are a great way to grow your audience. However, you need a strategy.

Many of us go to great events and collect a lot of great information and meet a lot of great people. We then return home to our to do lists and do nothing.

The notes and names go in a drawer in the desk and we take no action. We have good intentions. We just have other priorities.

In order to get the most out of your events, have a plan.

To help, grab my Building Relationships At Events worksheet at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/events. This will give you the full strategy to use events to grow your audience.

STRATEGY

When developing your strategy, you need to consider your actions before, during and after the event. Your actions need to be focused and deliberate.

Before the event, you need to plan your attack. Lay out your goals and tools.

During the gathering, you have limited time. Use every minute you have in ways that help you grow.

After the event, tie up the loose ends. This is where the real work takes place.

Let’s look at each of these phases.

BEFORE EVENTS

Before events, it is all about planning. You need to have a goal and purpose.

Do your research. Research the attendees that fit your goal before the event. Find the individuals you’re hoping to meet (and impress).

Dress to impress. As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression. Don’t blow it.

DURING EVENTS

When you arrive, use your time wisely. Make the most of every opportunity.

Have questions ready for every session you attend for the open Q&A at the end.

Don’t spread yourself too thin. Don’t work the room. Focus on quality vs. quantity. Join in the conversation.

When you meet people, consider their network. Can you help each other make connections? Be a connector. How can you help them?

Listen first, then speak. Ask a lot of questions.

• “Who are you?”
• “What do you podcast about?”
• “How did you get into that?”
• “If someone wanted to get into that niche, where would they begin?”
• “I’ve enjoyed our conversation. How can we stay in touch?”

Swap business cards to stay in touch. Be sure you don’t use your business cards as spam by giving a card to every person you meet. Give them with a purpose.

Take notes about each meeting. Write on their business card.

AFTER EVENTS

The real results come from your actions after events. This is where the real work takes place.

Follow up is critical. Reach out to each person you’ve met while you are on the trip home. Don’t let this valuable time slip away. Make an impression.

Have a purpose to reach out. Focus on helping them. This is not a time to sell.

Use this sample script: “I enjoyed our conversation at ____. Your story about _____ was fascinating/intriguing/hilarious. Would you be willing to discuss ____/be on my podcast to promote your _____/tell me more about ______.”

LIVE VS. VIRTUAL

Many live events are coming back. Pick and choose the right gatherings and conferences that will help you meet the right people.

Find people who are already talking to the audience you want to attract.

While live events return, continue to work the online events. Many online events will continue to operate, because they are convenient and come with lower costs. Again, find the events that will make the biggest impact in your growth.

WORKSHEET

To help you grow and develop your strategy, grab my Building Relationships At Events worksheet at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/events. This worksheet lays out the entire strategy you can use events to grow your audience.

If you don’t have a mentor who can take your hand and walk you every step of the way, go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apply, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will develop your plan and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals.