Attending Industry Conferences: How to Maximize Your ROI

This time of year, there are a LOT of real estate national conferences happening around the country.?Every time I attend one of these national events, either for a specific brand, affiliation, or a national sales training event, it can be overwhelming!? Whether this is your first time attending one of these events or your 25th time, I hope this checklist helps you get an amazing return on your investment.??

Every convention can lead to two transactions from referrals you meet.? You also get the bonus of learning best practices to increase your effectiveness!? There are Realtors out there that get up to 35% of their business from OTHER Realtors.? Be purposeful at these events and you can get those results too!

Before You Go

• Research the keynote speaker and order their book, subscribe to their podcast, or at least read a couple of their articles

1. Know what to expect from the speaker
2. Have questions to ask if given the opportunity
3. Share a post about the speaker on social media

• Pick your brand

1. Wear a specific color, hat, or accessory
2. Make sure people can find you

• Add a convention page to your website

1. Promote your brand
2. Post links to social media for updates from the conference
3. Create a hashtag

• Order business cards just for the event

1. Let attendees know what state you serve on the front of your card
2. Be the referral source for your state
3. Don’t make people check Google maps before they call you
4. Be the FIRST call for your state
5. Build your statewide referral network too!

• Offer a 50% referral fee on the back of your card

1. Ensure those referrals are motivated to work with YOU
2. Build your database for the second transaction and beyond

• Attach your card to a fun gift that represents your state
• Create a QR code to capture other agents information
• Team Event

1. Organize a breakfast, happy hour, or dinner for your team
2. Invite guests

• Review the agenda

1. Decide in advance what breakouts to attend
2. Research the speakers
3. Know when the breaks are to return phone calls or check email

• Pack comfortable shoes!!? ??

When you get there!

• Change your voicemail/email response

1. Let people know where you are?
2. Set expectations on response time

• Familiarize yourself with the layout

1. Walk to the convention center
2. See the layout
3. Determine where the breakout rooms are

• Eat a healthy dinner and get a good night's sleep!

The Convention Itself

• Set a goal for new contacts
• Exchange business cards or have a QR code to capture information
• Take notes at each session
• Have a Top Ten List

1. Ideas to implement?
2. People to follow up with the week after the convention

• Eat every meal with someone from outside your area
• Network?

1. Follow people on social media
2. Thank them for sharing their wisdom from the stage

• Make new friends
• Learn stuff!!

1. Share a video recap on social media daily
2. Post “best idea” from each session

• Schedule a half day for when you get back for post convention work

1. Start implementation of TWO new ideas per quarter
2. Make calls to Top Ten people you met

• Have FUN… just not too much fun! ??

The Week following Convention

• Schedule a half day once a week for eight weeks

1. Implement two ideas per quarter
2. Connect with Top Ten people list
3. Evaluate progress of both

• Enter all contacts into your CRM

1. Create a drip campaign for Realtors
2. Monthly…what’s happening in our area email
3. Take info from local chamber
4. Add a video of yourself talking about these events

• Out of state Realtors
• Out of your area Realtors
• Treat these leads like GOLD!

As you attend these conventions, please reach out to me as you learn best practices we can share with each other.?If we are all better in the marketplace, then we are ALL better!?I hope this helps you and have fun!