Are Podcast Conferences Worth It?

The first time I attended a podcast conference, I left feeling kind of ‘meh. Don’t think I need to do this again.’ 

I realized later that I didn’t really think about what I wanted to get out of the conference before I went. I knew I wanted to attend sessions and meet fellow podcasters, but I didn’t have a plan (I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of gal). 

So...I asked my friend Steve Stewart, podcast editor extraordinaire and conference lover, to come on Podcasting Step by Step to discuss how we can get our money’s worth out of conferences, and not leave feeling like we’ve wasted our time.

Subscribe to Podcasting Step by Step for free (click a button below) to hear my whole conversation with Steve. Highlights below.

Steve is hosting the first ever Podcast Editors Conference on March 6, 2020. It’s a sort of micro-conference held toward the beginning of Podfest. Photo by Natalie Champa Jennings.

Have a goal for attending the podcast conference

What do you want to get out of it? To start building relationships with customers? To learn from the sessions? To make friends with fellow podcasters and people in your industry? 

Plan what activities you’ll do when you get to the event

Before getting to the conference, block 20 minutes on your calendar to review what sessions are happening and what sessions you want to attend. 

Also, what events do you want to go to? Can you create your own event? I’ve decided to create a Podcasting Step by Step meetup, so if you want more info on that, visit sarahmikutel.com/podfest2020meetup

Connect with people before the conference

Are attendees chatting about the event somewhere already? Is there an app for the conference that people are already communicating in? How about Facebook Groups? Join in the conversations. Conferences are more fun when you have people you want to meet.

Are there people you want to interview or do business with at the conference? Get in their calendar now. Time will fly when you’re there. 

Be the first person to break the ice

Follow the five-second rule. If you show up early for a session and it’s just you and one other person,, say hi within the first five seconds. Ask them an open-ended question like, “What was your favorite session today? What are you most looking forward to this weekend?”

Stay comfortable

Wear shoes that feel good and a bag full of snacks. Go back to your room if you need to rest and recharge. Consider staying in an apartment with your pod friends, which will save money on both food and accomodation. (I love eating out but after awhile, I need a healthy, home-cooked meal. Are you the same?).

Enter all the sponsors’ contests

A lot of vendors will be raffling off prizes. I won a Rodecaster Pro and some other fab gear at Podcast Movement. You can’t win if you don’t play :)

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