Affiliate conferences are back in full force, and similar to last year, this summer and fall are about to be an incredible time to meet some of the biggest names, network, and learn about the business from the experts! One of the leading events is just around the corner!
Attending the Affiliate World (AW) conference in Budapest is an exciting and invaluable opportunity for anyone in the affiliate marketing industry. This year's event, set in the beautiful city of Budapest, Hungary, promises to be one of the best yet, featuring top-tier speakers, cutting-edge sessions, and numerous networking opportunities.
No matter the location, affiliates need to ask themselves a few key things in order to clearly establish goals that will ensure affiliate marketing conference success. How can I prepare for an affiliate marketing conference? How does one network effectively at an affiliate marketing conference? How can I make the most out of the sessions and workshops, and are there any must-do events or things to see? Once connections are made, how can I follow up with the contacts I made at the conference?
Whether you're a seasoned affiliate marketer or just starting out, the insights and connections you gain at AW 2024 can propel your business to new heights. To help you maximize your experience at Affiliate World Budapest or any other affiliate marketing conferences, we've put together a must-do list and crucial affiliate conference tips for your success.
Pre-Conference Preparation
Before you can join the ranks of the top affiliates in the world, you need to do some preparation. With over 35 speakers, 160 advertisers, 180 affiliate networks, and 60+ traffic sources, affiliate event preparation is vital to learn who to track down and gain the most knowledge from. So, here are some tips on preparing for AW2024:
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Researching Speakers and Sessions
Before you even set foot in Budapest, research the speakers and sessions that will be featured at the conference.
The AW website and app provide detailed information about the lineup, including topics and speaker bios. We recommend you do some light research on who the speakers are, what part of the industry they cover, and how the knowledge they could have could impact your business.
Identify the sessions that align with your goals and interests, and prioritize them in your schedule. Try focusing on just a few speakers, and since you are all a part of the conference, try establishing contact later on with them, and learning more about how they do things, and what makes them successful!
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Setting Clear Goals for the Conference
Clear, actionable goals are crucial for making the most of your conference experience. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve. Are you looking to learn about industry trends, find new partners, or gain insights into specific strategies? Write down your objectives and keep them in mind as you navigate the event.
Try using a checklist that has all of your goals inside of it, and try to slowly work through it so that you complete everything you set out to do!
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Planning Your Schedule
Affiliate marketing conferences are jam-packed with events, and AW is no exception. well-thought-out schedule is essential. Use the conference site and info to plan your days, including sessions, networking events, and breaks.
Don't forget to leave some time for exploring the exhibitor booths and attending spontaneous meetups. Remember that the most valuable thing there is the people, so try and join the common meetups and try establishing some social contact with the big players in the industry. This can help you a lot in the long run as we all know that knowing the right people is half of the success!
Must-Do Activities
There are some things you can't miss during and after the conference, and here are some! Remember, that most of us aren’t in Budapest all year round, so utilizing this event as a way to learn about a new city can also be rewarding and exciting!
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Attend Keynote Speeches and Popular Sessions
Keynote speeches are often where you'll hear the biggest industry announcements and gain insights from top leaders. It's like the Apple event of these conferences.
Make sure to attend these sessions to stay ahead of trends and be inspired by success stories. Additionally, popular sessions tend to cover the most pressing topics in affiliate marketing, offering valuable strategies and tips.
Try writing some notes on the topics discussed and find anything that might confuse you or what you need help with, as during conferences, you have the best chance to meet someone who could know the answer to any question you might have!
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Network with Fellow Affiliates
Networking is one of the primary benefits of attending AW. Take every opportunity to meet new people, whether it's during sessions, at the exhibitor booths, or in social settings.
Exchange contact information, share experiences, and discuss potential collaborations. Building a robust network can lead to future partnerships and growth opportunities.
Some incredible partnerships are made during these conferences, and with the right attitude and some luck, you might find your next business partner during your visit!
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Explore the city
Budapest is a majestic city that has so much history and beauty in it, that it would be a shame not to explore at least parts of it.
Find out what the popular tourist attractions are and don't be afraid to visit them! Places like the parliament building, Fisherman's Bastion, and the plethora of castles and cathedrals are something you really shouldn't miss out on!
The city also has some of the best cafes and restaurants in Europe, so make sure to visit some of the best-rated ones and enjoy a bit of local delights that you can only get in Hungary!
Post-Conference Follow-Up
The fun doesn't stop with the conference, if you want to make your effort with connecting, networking, and learning amount to something bigger, you need to do some post-conference follow-ups!
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Organizing and Reviewing Your Notes
Once the conference is over, take some time to organize and review your notes. Highlight key takeaways, actionable insights, and any follow-up actions you need to take.
This step ensures that you can easily refer back to important information and implement new strategies effectively! This way you can also double-check to see what you remember and what knowledge has already faded away.
As we all know, during these events we forget about a lot of things! You would be surprised how much a small nudge to refresh your memory on something can impact your retention rates for new knowledge. Try it!
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Establish Contact With People
If you have spent some time meeting new people and learning about their business model and what they do, it is time to establish contact with those people and nurture your connection.
Try talking more to them, remind them that you exist, and with enough perseverance and a good attitude, you can get any contact to become friendly, and way more useful than before!
Within a few days of returning home, reach out to the contacts you made at the conference. Send personalized emails or connect on LinkedIn to solidify the relationship. Mention something specific you discussed to jog their memory and suggest ways you might collaborate in the future.
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Implementing What You Learned
So you have contacted the people you met, you made sure you remember what you learned, and you have the time and will to learn more and use that knowledge properly. Well, now it's time to implement what you learned.
Depending on the business site or advertisement products, you might want to adjust your strategy immediately, and hopefully, soon, you will see some results. Remember that just sitting there with all of that knowledge won't do much, you need to be actionable!
Conclusion
Attending the Affiliate World Conference 2024 in Budapest is a fantastic opportunity to learn, network, and grow your affiliate marketing business but this is not the only one. So far this year has been jam-packed with great conferences, and it's likely to continue to the end of the year and into 2025!
By following this must-do list and affiliate conference tips, you'll be well-prepared to make the most of your experience and come away with valuable insights and connections. Remember, the effort you put into preparation and follow-up can make all the difference in the long-term impact of the conference on your career.
What affiliate conferences have you visited? What is your experience with them? Share it with us in the comments below!