Top 4 Networking Tips for the Saastr Annual Conference

The Saastr Annual Conference is coming up again this year from March 10th–12th in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are planning to attend, you are going to want to do everything possible to maximize your time there. One of the main objectives of anyone attending the event is to establish new networking connections. With over 15,000 people in attendance, the opportunities to network and develop promising professional relationships are plentiful. Below we have outlined a few key things you should consider doing if you want to network successfully at the Saastr Annual Conference.

Scope it Out

With over 300 speakers and 200 exhibits, you'll want to have a good idea of which breakout sessions and workshops you want to attend while you're there. Before you go, read through the three-day conference agenda on the official website, and have a plan of action for how you will network. Be sure that you have enough time to check into your hotel, settle in, register at the conference center, and make your way around the various events going on throughout the three days. Having your schedule organized ahead of time will alleviate stress and give you sharper mental clarity to make important connections during your time at the conference.

Make Sure People Remember Your Name

When you are networking, it is important to ensure that your business card and contact information end up in the hands of those you truly want to connect with. In addition to bringing your business cards, give something else that people can remember you by, such as a promotional pen with your company's name and logo. Although there are certainly other promotional gift ideas worth considering, the pen is a solid choice because it is incredibly lightweight and compact, making it easy to pack and travel with many of them. Plus, pens are useful and affordable.

Products like custom company mugs or hats are harder to hand out to people when you are networking and are better in environments like tradeshows. But with a pen, all you have to do is finish your conversation with a handshake, and offer them a pen to show them your appreciation for their time.

Create Measurable, Attainable Goals

There are going to be thousands of people attending the conference. That’s a lot of opportunities! Don’t just go into the conference with an “I’ll wing it” approach. Have a concrete idea in your mind of how many people you plan to speak to each day; if there is anyone, in particular, you want to make a connection with, seek them out or connect with them before the conference and ask them if they can spare some time to meet with you. When you clearly define your intentions, it dramatically increases your chances of success in reaching those networking goals. At the end of each conference day, take five to ten minutes to reflect on your progress. Did you speak to the people you wanted to speak to? Was there something you could have done better? What will you do the next day? Finally, at the end of each day or even at the end of the conference, follow up with each person you met by sending them a friendly 'thank you' email—better yet, send a handwritten note.

Take Care of Yourself

In order to stay energetic and on top of your game at Saastr, have a plan to take care of yourself throughout the 3-day conference. You are going to be busy and packing in a lot over the course of three days. You could end up talking to over 100 people in one day alone, and if you don’t take steps to take care of yourself, you’ll end up exhausted. To avoid this, do simple things like sleeping a full eight hours every night as well as eating properly and drinking plenty of water.

Also, consider investing in some sharp, new custom business attire. The way a person dresses can affect their mood, the way they carry themselves, and their overall confidence. Give yourself that extra boost of self-esteem in any networking situation by dressing in sleek businesswear and showing up ready to leave a lasting impression.

With these tips in mind, your time at Saastr will be a true success. Remember–bring plenty of business cards, promotional pens, and have a plan on the action in place beforehand to make the most out of your time.