One of the main questions that bloggers have is what should I blog about?  There are many answers to this question, too many to answer in this one blog post but one thing you can do as a blogger is blog about the events that you attend.

There are so many different angles you could blog about from just attending an event.  Let’s say you go to a business event with a particular theme.  You could write about something the speakers said.  You could create a discussion around the key themes of the event.  You could interview fellow delegates and create some videos for your blog.  Perhaps you could create a review of the event.

If you are running a business, you will probably be aware of business events or events relevant to your niche.  Often a business owners we think that we don’t have the time to attend these events, but actually they can be a source of great networking, new contacts, potential new business and if you capture the right information a source of content for your blog for a long time to come.

This week I have attended 2 events. The first was an event Celebrating Women in Business.  It was a great event with the right mix of networking, exhibition stands and seminars. I met some really amazing businesses and women doing some really inspirational things.  The takeaway for me was the way that women help one another out.

One of the main themes was about finding what you love and doing more of that.  Hopefully being able to take that passion and turning it in to a business.

The second event was much bigger. It had lots of trade stands seminars, panels and lots of networking.  This event was much more formal and because of the size of the event you were at times made to mingle and network.   I met some really interesting businesses and contacts and it was great to have conversations with people that I probably wouldn’t normally network with.

The whole day got me thinking about how to make the most of these events, especially if you are a blogger.  So below I set out my top 5 tips to make the most of networking events and maximising your chance of being able to create some great content after!

1. Listen at Events

Many people make the mistake of thinking that events are all about selling and generating as many leads as possible.  However if this is the approach you take you will miss some of the most exciting takeaways.  Be open and receptive to everything that is around you.  Ask questions of the people that you meet and be genuinely interested in others.  Listen intently at the seminars and to what the speakers say.  You will often ear some golden nuggets that you can use in a piece of content; but importantly a piece of information that will help take your business to the next level.

2. Be Authentic

Although seemingly obvious – often, when we meet people for the first time; we might overcompensate on certain aspects of our business or our personalities because we want people to really like us and our business.  I personally find networking events quite tiring.  That’s because I am naturally more of an introvert than an extrovert, getting my energy from quiet and solitude.  Networking events are incredibly busy and stimulating and often suck the life out of me, even though I really enjoy them. But I find just being me helps me.  By this I mean just going with the flow, if I feel myself getting tired I go get a drink or head to toilet for 5 mins to take a breather.  If I find someone I really resonate with however, I will just allow myself to open up and get to know them – and them me!

3. What are the themes

This comes back to listening, but also to observing what is going on around you.  What did you get out of the day.  What did you learn.  What did you feel.  Was it what someone said, was it an inspiring story someone told.  Was it the way that the event was run.  Was it the fact that something at the event inspired you to do something different or make a huge leap of faith.  They say success leaves clues.  What clues are you identifying at the events you attend?

4. Connect the dots

This is something I really love to do.  I find that I do it without thinking, but it’s incredibly rewarding and so I try to make a really conscious effort to do this to the best of my ability.  So What am I talking about.  The beauty of events is that you will undoubtedly meet people that are trying to achieve something, or learn something or find something or someone.  If you visit every trade stand or as many as is possible and then you network with other businesses and ask them about themselves.  They will tell you what they are tyring to do.  If you have paid attention to the people you have already met you will be able to point them in the right direction and connect them with others.  And for this, people will be very grateful.

5. Seek out the movers and shakers

Normally at events you will meet businesses and people who just make you go wow!  It could be that they were one of the speakers and they said something that really made you think.  Or it could be a new business that you just know is going to be massive and make a really great impact in the world.  When this happens, don’t be afraid to reach out to them.  Tell them what you like about them.  Ask them if they would be willing to be interviewed or perhaps ask them if you could do a review of their product or service.  Now imagine if you were one of the first people to spot them as an emerging entrepreneur!

So there you have it. A post about creating valuable content following the events that you attend and how to maiximse you success whilst attending them.

What was the last event that you attended.  Do you prepare yourself to create content either whilst you are there or afterwards.  Do you prefer to make video content or write about your experiences? I’d be interested to hear about how you find events and what you biggest takeaways have been.  If you have enjoyed this post please share with your friend and followers and leave me a comment in the section below.

To Your Simple Blogging Success.