You’re headed to FinCon, and you’ve snagged the Plus Pass! Once the excitement fades, you might be wondering: how can I make the most of this opportunity? Better yet – how do I make money with this Plus Pass?
In this guide, we’ll help you maximize your time at FinCon with the Plus Pass, drawing on insights from seasoned attendees. You’ll discover actionable strategies to prepare for the big event, plus tips for effective follow-up once it’s all over.
What Does the Plus Pass Offer?
Before diving into how to optimize your experience, let’s clarify what the Plus Pass offers. Simply put, it’s your gateway to an enhanced FinCon experience. This upgrade from the basic ticket opens up numerous networking opportunities. With the Plus Pass, you can schedule 1:1 conversations with brands and gain access to the exclusive Speaker/Pro Mixer.
Making the Most of the Plus Pass
But how do you leverage this premium pass? After all, when it comes to networking, every Money Nerd knows the importance of optimizing your connections! Just showing up at FinCon and winging it could work for some people, but you’ve invested cash dollars in this Plus Pass. Taking some time before you arrive to get a game plan will yield much better ROI.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
1. Do Your Homework
Whether it’s your first time or you’re a returning attendee, there are some basic things that you need to do first:
- Download the app and fill out your profile. Answer all the questions so that when others look at your profile, they know exactly who you are and what you do.
- As FinCon approaches, take a moment to set your intentions. Ask yourself: “What do I want to achieve at FinCon?”
- Go through the schedule and save all the sessions that you want to attend to your “My Schedule” so you know what times you are available for meetings.
- Are there specific creators you’d like to connect with? Maybe you want to meet them in person or you want to talk to them about collaborating on a project or interview them for your podcast or YouTube channel. Check out the Attendee List in the app and start connecting with people.
- Drop a comment in the Feed and tell people who you are, what you do, and what your intentions are for the event.
2. Prepare for Your In-Person Meetings
Preparation is vital. Think about what to bring with you to your scheduled meetings that represents your brand and values. Here are some essentials for your meetings with brands:
- A media kit or one-sheet with key stats
- Postcards or handouts about your latest initiatives
- Business cards or a way for people to reach you
- Writing samples or links to your work
Customize these materials to showcase the best of your brand, whether that’s your reach, views, or featured work.
3. Get to Know the Brands
Brands come to FinCon to connect with creators just like YOU—whether your audience is large or small. They’re offering opportunities like affiliate partnerships, brand ambassadorships, sponsorships for shows, campaigns, and even speaking gigs. Each brand is looking for the right fit, just like you are.
Do your homework before arriving in Atlanta. Learn about the brands and their goals so you can focus on the ones that align with yours. This prep work will help you target the right brands for your Pro Networking meetings and your time in FinCon Central.
Here’s how you can get to know brands using the FC24 app:
Use Filters: Under the ‘Pro Networking [Brands]’ tab, filter by the brands’ FC24 goals to find the ones that align with your own.
Check Brand Profiles: Under the ‘Sponsors’ tab, many brands include company blurbs, links to their socials, and details about what they’re offering at FinCon.
4. Schedule Meetings
The FinCon App is where you schedule your meetings with brands. You can view their individual brand rep profiles and request an appointment. Conversely, they can also go to your profile and request a meeting with you. Here’s how the process works:
- Go to the “Pro Networking [Brands]” button in the app.
- Click on a brand rep’s profile and then “Book a Meeting.”
- There are 15-minute time slots that take place throughout the 3.5 days of the event. Select a time to meet with them.
- Leave them a note expressing why you want to meet with them.
- Wait for them to accept or decline your meeting request.
- After 3 days the request expires. Keep in mind an expiration doesn’t necessarily mean a “no.” Sometimes they just haven’t gotten in the app yet. So if your request expires, try again later.
5. Attend the Speaker/Plus Mixer for More Networking
The Plus Pass grants you entry to the exclusive Speaker/Plus Mixer networking event. To make the most of it, consider any creators or brands that you haven’t scheduled meetings with but would like to meet in person. Come to the mixer ready to connect with those people.
6. Follow-Up Like a Pro
With the Plus Pass, you’ll be able to maximize your time at FinCon. But the fun–and the work!–doesn’t end there. There’s the saying “the fortune is in the follow up” for good reason.
After the event, you’ll want to carve out time to touch base with everyone you connected with. To do that efficiently, come up with a system to start at FinCon. Maybe you’ll use the calendar on your phone or another app. No matter what you do, make sure you take notes and grab contact information.
Before you leave FinCon, set a deadline for yourself to follow-up with your contacts. To make your follow-up really stand out, it’s a good idea to refer back to specifics from your initial meeting.
7. Use the Digital Recordings
With more than 60 speakers sharing insight, there’s no way to catch it all. Or is there? With the Plus pass, you get lifetime access to recordings of every FinCon session. After FinCon, make sure you dive into the digital recordings. Not only to catch anything you might have missed, but to refresh your ideas and re-energize yourself. This strategy will keep you focused on your goals all year.
Still trying to decide how to be strategic with your meetings? Veteran attendee Joe Saul-Sehy of Stacking Benjamins suggests using your Plus Pass networking time to:
- Connect with potential sponsors
- Meet with people who have innovative ideas for content
- Get on the radar of industry leaders
Feel free to adapt this strategy to fit your own goals. And remember, your conversations don’t have to end there; suggest post-event follow-up meetings or coffee chats to continue the dialogue started at the event.
With these tips in hand, you’re all set to maximize your Plus Pass experience and make money at FinCon!
Check out our top 10 Ways to Make Money at FinCon.
Have questions or want more details about the Creator Plus Pass? Reach out to our team at admin@finconexpo.com.
Ready to take action? Sign up for FinCon today.
