This weekend I’ll be attending the Maryland Writers’ Association’s 21st Annual Writers’ Conference for the second time. Last year, I found the sessions inspiring and motivating, not to mention informative. But I found the opportunity to network with other writers, along with a few speakers, to be most valuable. Now that I know what to expect, I decided to do a little pre-conference planning based on what I learned and observed at last year’s conference. These are the strategies I’ve come up with for making the most out of the day-long conference.

1. Review session topics and decide which ones you’ll want to attend before you get there.

Knowing which of the sessions are of interest to you will help you schedule your time during the conference. Most conferences offer specific agendas listing the times and topics of the various sessions prior to the conference. Review the topics and times for each session and select your first, second and third choices for each time slot. That way you’ll know where to go and will have alternatives already chosen if a session fills up before you can get there.

Don’t be afraid to split your time among multiple sessions either, as long as this isn’t forbidden by conference organizers. Sit near the door so that you’ll be able to slip out of one session and into another relatively easily if a session doesn’t turn out to meet your needs or you’re interested in multiple sessions during a single time slot. Remember that you’ll get the most out of sessions you spend the most time in, though.

2. Be open-minded about session topics, people and conversations.

We all know the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” This can be applied to fellow writers, as well as session topics. Be open to meeting new people (no matter what genre they write), joining in conversations about unfamiliar or controversial subjects, or attending a session on a topic that might not seem related to your current projects. You never know what you might learn or be able to offer in these situations.

3. Study pictures.

Check the website or brochure for pictures of editors, publishers or other speakers who are attending.  For those people that you’d most like to meet, try to connect names and basic details (e.g. genres they represent, topics they’ll be presenting) with their pictures. That way, if you run into these people in a session, at lunch, or in the bathroom, you’ll be able recognize VIPs and introduce yourself.

4. Prepare your pitch–and give it.

If you’re working on a story or have a really great idea, make sure you’ve got your elevator pitch prepared. When you bump into Ms. X in the hall between sessions, you can easily introduce yourself, make a little small talk and then launch into your short pitch. If the editor/agent is interested, you’ll know because she’ll ask you for more information. If not, thank her for listening and move on.

5. Meet a lot of people.

If you’ll be attending the conference with people you know, or if people you know will be there, try to avoid hanging out with those people. Sit with strangers during sessions or at meals. Mingle with speakers or other attendees between sessions. Introduce yourself and then ask questions. Really listen to what others have to say.

6. Take business cards…LOTS of business cards.

You’ll need plenty of business cards if you’re doing #5 right, because every time you find someone you connect with in any way, you should give them your business card.

Every. Single. Time.

7. Collect business cards.

Whenever you give out your card, ask for the other person’s card (or contact info) in return. As soon as the conversation is over, jot a few notes about the person and why you felt a connection on the back of the card so you’ll remember when it comes time to follow-up.

8. Limit conversations.

Spend time in conversations, listening and contributing, but remember that your time is limited. Make sure you don’t get caught up in long, drawn-out conversations that aren’t going to lead to any new contacts, knowledge or plain old enjoyment. If you’re not into science fiction and never will be, excuse yourself politely from the Star Trek conversation and move on to another person or group.

9. Review your notes.

Conferences always leave me motivated and energized to get writing. This energy can fade fast if I don’t tap into it, though. To keep things fresh, go through your notes within a day or two of the conference and make any additional comments, expanding on initial impressions, ideas or points you jotted down. Make a list of any action items you need to address and then start taking steps toward your goals immediately.

10. Follow up.

Remember all those business cards you collected? Now it’s time to do something with them. Send each person an email reminding them of who you are and how the two of you met (e.g., we met in the session on time management). Let them know that you’d like to keep in contact and provide any information you may have promised them (e.g., writing samples, a link you thought they’d be interested in, etc.). Then make sure you stay in touch.

Send regular follow-up emails with any information that they might be interested in (e.g., I heard about a writing contest that accepts flash fiction and here’s the link) or a simple note asking how the latest project is going. Some of these contacts will fade into the background, but you might just find your newest writing buddy, a job contact or an editor among the people you connected with.

I’m looking forward to meeting new people, connecting with other writers, learning some new skills, and maybe even finding an agent or editor for my current project. I didn’t sign up for any editor/agent critique sessions, but with a little luck my elevator pitch will work miracles and I’ll come home with requests for samples. Cross your fingers for me.