How can you use your conference speech to network, collaborate, or promote?

You've spent hours preparing your conference speech, rehearsing your slides, and polishing your delivery. But your work is not done yet. Your conference speech is not only a chance to share your insights and expertise, but also a valuable opportunity to network, collaborate, or promote your goals. How can you make the most of it? Here are some tips to help you use your conference speech as a catalyst for building relationships, finding partners, or attracting clients.

1 Before the speech

One of the best ways to use your conference speech to network, collaborate, or promote is to start before you even step on the stage. Research your audience, the conference theme, and the other speakers. Identify who you want to connect with, what you can offer them, and what you want to learn from them. Reach out to them via email, social media, or the conference app. Introduce yourself, express your interest in their work, and invite them to attend your speech or meet you afterwards. This will help you create some buzz and anticipation for your presentation, as well as establish rapport and trust with potential contacts.

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Mark Cianciosa

Finding ways to impact manufacturing and productivity gains with robotics and factory automation. #marktherobotman
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Great notes and thoughts. I especially like the "reaching out" to other speakers before the conference. Before I start my talk, I show off the participation gifts that I have for the audience. This helps sometimes. #marktherobotman

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Logan Mallory

Force for Good | VP of Marketing | 40 Under 40 | MBA | CMO Next
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Almost every conference you're speaking at wants additional exposure for their event, so they likely have created social media assets that they'll share with you. Making a handful of posts before the event will not only help your personal brand, it will also increase the number of people that come to your specific session. Not to mention the credibility of others seeing you speaking and knowing that you're the kind of person that gets stage time!

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2 During the speech

Your conference speech is your chance to showcase your knowledge, skills, and personality. Use it to impress and engage your audience, but also to invite them to interact with you. Use stories, examples, and questions to illustrate your points and spark curiosity. Include a clear call to action at the end of your speech, such as asking them to visit your website, sign up for your newsletter, or join your community. Encourage them to ask questions, share feedback, or contact you for more information. Make sure you have your contact details, social media handles, or QR codes visible on your slides or handouts. And don't forget to smile, make eye contact, and use confident body language.

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Jim Beretta

President @ Customer Attraction | Industrial Marketing | Connector | Content Creator | Strategy & Plans | Speaker for Robotics and Automation Industry
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Tell them about your failures, too. Everyone has had failed projects and your peers want to learn from you, learn from your mistakes and make your industry or your practice better.

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Logan Mallory

Force for Good | VP of Marketing | 40 Under 40 | MBA | CMO Next
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My best tip for networking as part of a conference speech? Your final slide should be a big picture of your face with a QR code next to it that links directly to your LinkedIn profile. As I finish, I thank my audience, click to this slide with my QR code on it and say, "It's a small world and we need all the friends we can get. If I can be a resource or help in some way, I hope you'll connect with me and reach out." A huge percentage of the room will often pull out their cell phones and use the QR code to connect with me immediately. It's a massive bump to my LinkedIn connections and I almost always build relationships from those interactions.

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3 After the speech

Your conference speech is not the end of the conversation, but the beginning. Follow up with your audience, the organizers, and the other speakers as soon as possible. Send them a thank you note, a summary of your speech, or a link to your slides or recording. Ask them for their opinions, suggestions, or referrals. Connect with them on social media, LinkedIn, or email. Keep in touch and nurture the relationship until you find an opportunity to collaborate, partner, or promote your services or products. And don't be afraid to ask for introductions, testimonials, or endorsements from your new contacts.

Your conference speech is more than just a presentation. It's a powerful tool to network, collaborate, or promote your goals. By following these tips, you can use it to create lasting impressions, connections, and opportunities.

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Logan Mallory

Force for Good | VP of Marketing | 40 Under 40 | MBA | CMO Next
(edited)
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Stay in the room for a while so that others can come and say hello. Not everyone will stay, but a handful of people typically try to engage the speakers after the session. It's a good time to see what resonated and to build deeper relationships.

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4 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Jim Beretta

President @ Customer Attraction | Industrial Marketing | Connector | Content Creator | Strategy & Plans | Speaker for Robotics and Automation Industry
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Consider also bringing some old-school business cards to your speaking event. Bring a business card stand and put in on a table or put it on the stage where you are standing, post-event. This will allow people who may not get a chance to chat with you can still get your contact information.

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How can you use your conference speech to network, collaborate, or promote?

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1 Before the speech

2 During the speech

3 After the speech

4 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Conference Speaking

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