Maximizing Conference Leads: A Strategic Blueprint for Sales Leaders

As a veteran of over 100 conferences, I’ve learned that the key to converting conference attendees into demo bookings isn’t just about networking—it’s about strategic follow-up. For sales leaders who are regulars on the conference circuit and looking to significantly boost their ROI, integrating phone calls into your post-conference follow-up process is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive strategy to ensure you not only capture leads but convert them effectively.

Pre-Conference Preparation

Start your outreach three weeks before the event. This initial phase involves gathering attendee contact data to begin early engagement. Proactive calls and emails set the stage for face-to-face interactions at the conference, making subsequent follow-ups more natural and expected by the prospects.

During the Conference

At the conference, your goal is to collect as much information as possible about each lead. Scan attendee badges and take badge photos to capture data quickly. These images can be immediately shared with your BDR team via tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. This allows your team to quickly retrieve contact details or even initiate contact while prospects are still engaged at the event, creating a seamless connection between the in-person experience and your follow-up efforts.

Immediate Post-Conference Actions

The evening after the conference day is crucial. Go through all the contacts you’ve gathered, connect with them on LinkedIn, and send personalized messages to those who accept your connection requests. For those who don’t, an email can effectively kickstart the conversation. This quick, personalized outreach helps keep the momentum going and reinforces the connections made during the event.

Sustained Follow-Up

Post-conference follow-up should include a balanced mix of phone calls, emails, and LinkedIn messages. The day after the conference, have your BDRs continue the conversation with calls, introducing a follow-up sequence that may include scheduled emails from your outbound tools. It’s essential to maintain persistence with phone calls—often overlooked yet crucial for making a real connection.

Emphasizing the Importance of Phone Calls

Phone calls are vital. They offer a personal touch that can’t be replicated by digital communication alone. You might find yourself calling a lead several times over months, but that persistence pays off. It keeps the conversation going and demonstrates your commitment to the potential client, significantly increasing the chances of converting a casual conference interaction into a serious business opportunity.

Example from Experience

In my own experience, one particular conference, which wasn’t initially my favorite, ended up generating five times the pipeline of others I attended, purely due to the rigorous follow-up strategy we employed. This unexpected success underscored the fact that ROI isn’t just about the events you prefer; it’s about how effectively you engage with attendees afterward.

Conclusion

For sales leaders looking to drive more demos and deepen their sales funnel, remember: the magic often lies in what happens after the conference. By setting up a robust system that includes pre-conference engagement, strategic data capture during the event, and rigorous, multi-channel follow-up, you can transform brief interactions into lasting business relationships. Always keep the lines of communication open, and let your prospects know you’re ready to continue the conversation. This strategic approach not only maximizes your conference investments but also sets a standard of excellence for your sales team.