Using The Power of Conferences for PR Business Growth and Effective Communication

In the latest episode of the Public Relations Review Podcast, we delve into the transformative potential of conferences for business growth and effective communication. Our guest, Tara Baumgarten, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at Next, brings two decades of PR expertise to the table. Tara shares invaluable insights on how to harness conference strategies for brand exposure, relationship building, and executive visibility. One of the key points Tara emphasizes is the often-overlooked opportunity of integrating conferences into your communication strategy. Unlike media relations, which focus on the present, conferences offer a long-term platform for networking and business development. Tara explains that preparation is crucial for maximizing conference participation. This involves identifying relevant conferences well in advance, researching attendees, and proactively reaching out to them. Such preparatory steps ensure you make the most of every conference opportunity, enhancing your chances for meaningful engagement.  Tara also highlights the importance of strategically selecting speaking opportunities that align with your business objectives. Not all conferences are created equal; some offer better business development outcomes than others. She advises prioritizing business value over mere name recognition. Understanding the various formats and audiences of different conferences—from large flagship events to smaller regional meetings—can significantly impact your strategy. By targeting the right events, you can achieve more effective business development outcomes. The episode also delves into the essential elements needed to pitch yourself as a speaker. This includes having the right materials such as bios, headshots, speech topics, and, most critically, video evidence of your presentation style. Tara underscores the importance of demonstrating refined showmanship to engage the audience and command attention. Effective preparation and engaging presentation skills are key to ensuring a successful speaking engagement.<br><br>Another crucial aspect discussed in the episode is the importance of setting clear goals and metrics to measure your conference success. Tara explains that having an evaluation process in place is essential to determine if the platform was worth the time and effort. This involves setting KPIs and other metrics to assess the effectiveness of your participation, whether as an attendee or a speaker.<br><br>The podcast also provides practical advice for those who may find networking at conferences daunting. Tara suggests preparing three canned questions that can be asked of anyone, be it a speaker, attendee, or sponsor. Questions like "What session has been the most interesting to you today?" or "Why are you here today?" can help kickstart conversations and make networking easier.<br><br>Additionally, the episode covers the nuances of follow-up after the conference. Whether it's following up with potential business contacts, collaborators, or simply interesting people you met, Tara advises maintaining these connections through social media and personalized follow-ups. This not only helps in nurturing relationships but also enhances your overall conference experience.<br><br>The discussion also touches upon the differences between media and conference engagements. While media engagements are often more short-term and focused on breaking news, conferences offer a deeper, more sustained form of engagement. Conferences allow for direct, in-person dialogue, making them a more effective platform for sales conversations compared to media engagements.<br><br>Tara also discusses the different types of conferences and how to choose the right one for your objectives. Whether it's a large, well-known conference or a smaller, more targeted regional event, the key is to align your conference strategy with your business goals. She also advises having a mix of different types of conferences in your strategy to reach a wider variety of people.<br><br>In summary, this episode of the Public Relations Review Podcast offers a wealth of practical advice on how to leverage conferences for business growth and effective communication. From strategic preparation to selecting the right speaking opportunities and measuring success, Tara Baumgarten provides a comprehensive guide to making the most of your conference participation. Tune in to elevate your brand through effective conference engagement and take your business to the next level.