Association Marketing Springboard

I was going to write a serious post about my strategy for getting the most out of the ASAE Annual Meeting, similar to what I wrote last year. But then I had an unexpected flash. With one whole annual meeting under my belt, I now have the tools to give first-timers some advice—fresh from my own experience—for how to get connected and not feel like a n00b. So I'm sharing some important stuff you won't necessarily find in the program. My, what a difference a year can make.

Follow the Twitter backchannel. Seriously, folks, the Twitter backchannel gives you the keys to the kingdom. Several content leaders are avid Twitterati, including...

• Patty Digh
• Jeff De Cagna
• Jamie Notter
• Ben Martin
• Maddie Grant
• Andy Steggles
• Lisa Junker
• Greg Fine
• Bob Wolfe
• Mickie Rops
• Brian Solis
  

We might also hear from Chris Jennewein, Jessica Medaille, and Jennifer Ragan-Fore. Not only will folks be reporting on sessions as they happen, but you’ll have ample opportunity to meet up with Twitterfolk in real life. Need an easy way to get started on Twitter? Follow asaecenter08. Then follow all their followers. ;-) For further instructions, follow me (lindydreyer) and I’ll point you to some more cool folks to follow.

Crash the bloggercon. It’s a real session this year, so you won’t actually have to crash it, as I sort of did last year. (I was late, too. How embarrassing.) On Sunday at 1:30pm, the association community bloggers will be getting together to talk about…well…blogging. This session is definitely worthwhile, especially if you’re looking to meet super-smart, engaged association pros. I don’t know what’s planned this year, but I’d expect conversation to bounce between...

1. using a blog to enhance your personal brand
   
2. blogging for professional development
   
3. blogging for your association
   
4. tips and tricks every blogger should know.

Follow the listservs. Seems like every group is having a happy hour…and they're announcing the times and location on the ASAE listservs. You’ll want to attend and meet the people who share your specialty.

Read up on The Decision to Volunteer and make the Decision to…Lounge. Oh yeah. It’s a new research study that attempts to explain why people volunteer. I’m waiting for my copy to arrive so I can read ahead and report back to y’all. There will be a session all about it on Monday at 2:30pm. And, oh yes, I will definitely make the decision to lounge at some point.

Attend an 80s/90s dance party. [RSVP on yapstar.org | RSVP on Facebook] You’ll bond with some of ASAE’s biggest fans while busting out the retro grooves. ‘Nuff said.

On a side note…if you want to really impress your boss and colleagues who attend, tell them a secret. They’ll be amazed at how connected you are. ;-)