How I attended over 50 cannabis events for FREE

In 2017 I was a financially strapped entrepreneur. I was in the middle of launching my cannabis tech startup (now shuttered) while I was working a full time job to support myself & my team. Then Instagram deleted my cannabis focused account that had 14,000 followers. This account was going to be my main source of marketing for my startup, so I was crushed. I realized that one thing Instagram couldn’t delete was in person connections, so I committed to myself that I would go to as many events as I possibly could in 2017. I was eager to get out there and build my network but there was one big problem: I was too financially strapped to make it happen.?

I didn’t want to let my finances stop me from going to events, so I hustled and figured it out. In the process, I discovered a few methods to attending events for free, some of which even MADE me money!

Here’s how I managed to attend over 50 cannabis events for FREE in one year:

Before going the free route with events, I first paid for the Women Grow Leadership Conference in Denver. This was a pricey ticket but led to me meeting people who have greatly impacted my life. I left that conference feeling inspired, connected, and motivated. At the time, I was a blogger - writing edible reviews and garnering hundreds to thousands of views per month on my site. I interviewed a few women who attended the conference and I posted a blog recap about it. This led to me realizing that I could do the same type of thing for other events. So I applied for a press pass to a cannabis event by featuring Montell Williams. To my surprise, I was granted a press pass to this epic infused soiree AND I got to interview Montell Williams. Read about that event here.

Over the course of the year, I attended and wrote about a handful of events, growing my network and my blog viewership by giving insight into the unique and cool experiences I was a part of.

Takeaway 1: become a blogger. If you don’t have much of an audience but still want to write about events, reach out to media outlets and ask them if they’d hire you to cover an event. If an event host knows you’re writing for a media outlet, they are more likely to say yes to giving you a pass.

My next method to attending events was utilizing my network to help secure product and/or monetary sponsors for events. I was able to attend Dank Canvas, a cannabis paint night series by artist Jennifer Korsen, because I secured her the cannabis sponsor for her event.?

Takeaway 2: connect the dots between event hosts and brands that are willing to sponsor an event, with the agreement that you’ll get a ticket to the event if you help secure a sponsorship. Note: sometimes you can even negotiate a commission on sponsorships you facilitate. 10% commission is standard.?

The most fun method of going to events for free was the method that also led to me making money: working for a cannabis brand that had a booth at events. I was lucky enough that my best friend managed a cannabis brand that always had booths at the most popular events. We worked out an agreement where I’d work half the time and then I’d get to go network half the time. This was a great way to get into the pricey events, expand my network, and also bring in some cash, plus - it was so much fun!

Working to be able to attend events proved to be fruitful: I worked for a handful of events in exchange for a ticket to attend. I would work at booths, manage social media for the day(s) of the event, and do shoutouts on my social media. Read about my first time working a cannabis cup here.

Takeaway 3: work for a cannabis brand that is sponsoring an event. Negotiate that you’ll receive a certain amount of time to walk the floor/explore the event.

Another way that I found myself attending events for free was by offering myself up as a speaker and/or host. I spoke on safe edible consumption, social media, and a few other cannabis topics. I was invited to speak at Emerald Exchange, a beautiful event held in Malibu. I then got hired to curate, host, and speak on 8 different panels for Mega Sesh. I chose topics ranging from social equity to pregnancy & cannabis. All the while expanding my network and getting to attend a super cool event for free. A week later, I hosted Constellations - an event with 50 women vendors that was thrown by Masha of Plastic Palmtree & a few other lovely women in the industry. While this event was free to attend for all, by being a host I was able to really enhance my name in this industry.

Takeaway 4: apply to speak at events.

As I attended more and more events, my notoriety grew and I started getting invited to events for free, as a way for an event host to increase ticket sales. I had built an influence and it showed. I went to infused dinners, experiential events, conferences, etc. for free. I wanted to also be providing value to the events I went to, so I wasn’t just blogging about them - I was using my network to help event hosts. I would make introductions, offer my services, and ultimately just tried to help others grow while they helped me grow.

Takeaway 5: give as much as you take. Help those around you. Make introductions. Ask others what they need.

Then there was the big one: MJ Biz Con, the world’s largest cannabis conference. I really wanted to attend but they replied to my press pass application saying that they didn’t usually accept bloggers as members of the media. So they asked me to write them a compelling argument as to why they should grant me a free pass. Here’s bullet points of what wrote:

• My site has seen over 5000 views this month and we have over 6,900 Instagram followers between our two accounts. Those numbers will increase when we push new content next week.?
• I have been mentioned in 3 High Times Articles, Judged 5 High Times Top Chef Cannabis Cookoffs, spoken on 5 panels & moderated 6, was on Direct Cannabis Network's Coffee & Cannabis Segment, Hydroponic Chef's Podcast, hosted an empowerment event showcasing 30 woman owned companies, and last but not least, I was a guest on Viceland's Bong Appetit.?
• While I do not write for other sources, I am frequently asked to do "Instagram Takeovers" while at events. This allows me to reach a broader market. In the last two months, I have reached over 240,000 new people by doing Instagram Takeovers.
• I have grown a strong fanbase in Los Angeles due to my passion to help and educate people. If I am able to attend your event, I will be gaining the resources to continue to educate, connect, highlight, and inspire members of the community. I strongly believe in what MJ Biz is doing and I would love to share everything about it with my community so we can continue to grow and enhance this space.

To my delight, they responded with a Yes - You’re in! I was able to attend a very costly event for free as a cannabis entrepreneur. That event changed my life as it allowed me to network like I had never networked before. I am forever grateful for MJ Biz for granting me that pass. I attended all the hip after parties, had a blast with new and old friends, and became a huge fan of the conference.

Takeaway 6: be confident in your ask. Know your why. Explain your worth.

If you want to attend events but don’t have the cash to do so, get creative. Reach out to event hosts and see if they are hiring. See if you have anything to offer them that may be of value. See how you can utilize your strengths to benefit them. Maybe you could manage their Instagram for the day. Or help set up and take down the event. Maybe you could work the check in booth for the first two hours. There’s so many options. Or you can reach out to brands that have a presence at events and see if you can work for them. And lastly, reach out to your network and ask “anyone have an extra pass for this?”. Don’t be afraid of hearing no, because you never know what may happen!

To recap:

1. Apply for a press pass if you’re a blogger/writer
2. Book sponsors for events
3. Work part time for a cannabis brand
4. Apply to speak at events
5. Give as much as you take
6. Explain your worth

This newsletter was sponsored by Staze, a vacuum sealed container made to store your cannabis and keep it as fresh as the day you got it. Staze features patented technology enabling you to pump the air out of the container. A one of a kind 100% activated carbon cloth is placed inside the cap to block any unwanted odors from escaping. Staze is super cool & Alice Moon Approved - I highly recommend using it to store your herb! Click here to purchase a Staze container.

Stay tuned for my next newsletter, where I will be introducing a new series highlighting cannabis entrepreneurs, writers, CEO's, artists, and more. The first writer in the series to be featured will be Jackie Bryant, who writes for Forbes, Uproxx, and other publications.

Special announcement: next week I will be releasing a guide for sale on how to improve your LinkedIn presence. It features tips for posting, content ideas, bio optimization tips & more. The guide will be "pay what you can" starting at $10. This special price will last for a few weeks only, at which point the price will go up to its regular price of $50.

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I hope you are feeling High with knowledge.

Sincerely,

Alice Moon

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