Affiliate Summit East Tips for Virgin’s

Is this your first time to attend Affiliate Summit? No doubt you’ll be excited about attending, but will also feel very apprehensive.

I’d like to offer you a few tips to help make the most of your time. It’s totally overwhelming arriving at a huge convention like Affiliate Summit, especially if you don’t know many people. But, don’t worry – you are not alone!

Before you leave home – Join Affiliate Summit’s own Social Network. Fill out ‘My Page’ profile, share photos and video, join groups, view upcoming events, friend other Affiliate Summit attendees… check out this guide for first timers!

If you are arriving Saturday, pick up your pass from 4 pm to 8pm on the 2nd Floor Promenade at the Hilton New York, to beat the crazy rush and crush of people who will arrive Sunday. You’ve already registered, so it’s only a matter of entering your information in the computer then waiting a few minutes until your pass is printed. There is always someone behind the counter to help you – you wouldn’t believe a bunch of internet savvy, techie type geeks could have so much trouble figuring out how to enter their information! You will be given a bag with tons of information, advertising, a pen, notepad – and an Agenda.

Take time to get your bearings and check the layout of the convention. I remember one convention I attended, I didn’t find out there was a second exhibit hall until late the first afternoon because I hadn’t taken time to familiarize myself with the map!

Hopefully, you registered to attend the Mentor/Mentee Program as you will gain a tremendous amount of information from others who have attended previous Affiliate Summit conventions. You will meet other ‘newbie’s’ when you go to the arranged meetup and perhaps might strike up a friendship. At my first Affiliate Summit, my mentor and her husband introduced me to many people, invited me to attend the seminars they felt would be of benefit and made me feel a welcome part of the group. If you aren’t sure of something, ASK. Most people love to give advice – LOL!

Talk to the exhibitors – that is what they are there for. They WANT you to talk to them, they want you to sign up to their affiliate programs if you are a good ‘fit’. Be sure you have your ‘elevator pitch’ ready. You need to be able to summarize who you are and what you have to offer in as little time as an elevator ride. Ask the exhibitors about their programs, make notes of who you have talked to, write a keyword or two on the back of their business card about the topic you discussed – honestly – by the time you get home or back to your office, you may have forgotten who was who, as you will meet so many people and will have dozens of business cards.

I really like business cards with pictures – branding is important if you want to stand out. Branding comes in many different forms – it may be your smile, your way of dressing, your hair, your laugh, your attitude, stickers, a give-away, or your business which makes the impression. Use it, if you have it! Remember, you only have one chance to make a good first impression.

I know, I know … you want to know about the parties and how to get invited, don’t you?

Wait a minute, though… you need to attend seminars don’t you? Sit down next to someone who is alone, strike up a conversation while waiting for the seminar to begin. Take notes during the seminar – again, it’s surprising how quickly important, interesting details evaporate when you are on information overload. And, you will be inundated with ideas and tips from professionals. I’m always amazed at the amount of information successful business people are willing to share – they sincerely want to impart their expertise and they want you to succeed by following their examples.

By the second day, you will no doubt start seeing people you recognize. No doubt they will recognize you too which makes it easy to start a conversation. Ask about seminars they attended or are about to attend. Get involved in the special events – that is one sure-fire way of getting recognized in a good way!

Be sure to upload your photos to the Flickr Photostream using the ase09 tag.

Okay, I won’t keep you waiting any longer for the REALLY important information. How DO you get invited to parties?

First check out the agenda which lists some of the parties. Next is @missyward’s blog post – 17 parties listed there when I last looked. Follow Shawn Collins, @affiliatetip on Twitter. Follow the sponsors, List of ASE09 Speakers, businesses and the people you meet. Use the hashtag #ase09 when you are tweeting and read what others are saying on Twitter. Interact! Ask – some parties are available to everyone, some are invite only. If you appear to have something intelligent and/or worthwhile to offer to others, no doubt you will be invited!

The more people you get to know as you attend conventions, the more doors will open for you.
Interact throughout the year by reading the Affiliate Summit Blog, leaving comments on blogs, offering information, being involved, retweeting valuable tips and helping others.

I hope you enjoy attending Affiliate Summit East. I look forward to meeting you!