The Essentials of Writing Conferences – Post 1

In this series, I am going to write about the essentials of writing conferences. These are some of the most important things that I have noticed in my conference career (now entering my fifth year of 2 conferences minimum per annum).

If you are a writer and you are at the conference with a book to sell or want to network and learn, keep reading.

Part 1 of too many: The business card

Business cards are amazing things. They have your name, contact information, book information, representation information, and can be infused with personality.

You don’t want to overclutter the card! Do not have EVERYTHING on the one card (or crammed onto one side with the other side blank). If you are a member of every social networking website EVAH, simplify and streamline your identities. People will figure things out.

Do not put any information on the card you don’t want EVERYONE to have. Everyone you exchange a card with has the potential to contact you in any method you put on there. If you don’t want people phoning you, don’t put your phone number on the card. Simple as that. Mine have my name and e-mail. I can prompt people with how to find me on social networks but the main thing is my email as a primary way to contact me and I can then direct how I want to further socialize–exclusively by email, add on facebook, etc.

Handmade cards are treasured, especially if the card has texture.

Do not print on paper that is too waxy. People want to write details on your card or you’ll want to write an extra memorable detail on your card before passing it on.

If you want someone’s contact information–say, an agent or another writer–give the your card and smile. Politeness tends to result in a reciprocated card.

When you have a card, don’t drop it into your bag heedlessly while talking. Tuck it into your wallet or the back of your name card so that the person knows that their investment in you is warranted and you plan on respecting that friendship.

When you get back to your room, write on the card where you met that person and what you talked about. This will be helpful when you plan to contact them after the conference to not only jog your memory, but theirs.

Source: Budget Conferences

Part 2 of too many: Nametag etiquette

Conferences give you nametags. At least, they will have your name on them already. Sometimes, they will include where you are from so people can profile and segregate you (or you can clump together with others for protection).

If you have an internet identity that is dissimilar from your real and/or pen name, bring a sharpie (or comparable substitute with you) to write your internet identity onto the card. This helps everyone draw lines to your internet self to your in person self. HOWEVER, if you are a snarky bitch/bastard online that no one likes and talks too much, skip this step and act more demure than you are to keep up the innocent façade to garner more dirt to write about.

Nametags are permanently, naturally uncooperative. They hang too long, flip around, slide down, slip in, loosen, catch on things…etcetera. When you are approaching someone to introduce yourself and you wish to be remembered, make sure your card is facing correctly outward. If you plan on mugging that person, turn the card inward so the name is not present. A printed name visible to authors who deal with words for a living are more easily remembered (verbally and written) and associated with your physical presence.

When you leave the conference hotel or building, for the love of all things holy, remove your name tag. Conference buildings, generally, don’t fall into the best parts of town because land needs to be cheap to have a building that big. Especially if you are a solo-tripping female, you will want to protect yourself. A nametag with your conference and name will only generate problems for your outside of the hotel grounds as people can easily track a conference back to the hotel hosting it and search for you there.