CONMAP_Method Contact for Questions: Andrea DiernaLast Updated 5 Sep 2014
CONMAP: Info Sheet o Summary: Conference mapping is an effective method that can replace traditional conference prospecting. Instead of targeted outreach to several presenter before a conference, CONMAP can be used to contact all, or a subset, of conference speakers before or after a conference to schedule meetings and solicit book topic ideas. The method involves filling out a spreadsheet with the names of presenters, topics of their talks, and other details and then finding their address through web searching. Once the entire agenda (or a track or subset of speakers) is input into the spreadsheet, a mail merge to all of them is executed, casting a wide net. o URL: your conference agenda o Advantage: Build a database once from all the presenters at a conference; send one mailmerge to them; reuse database to find authors, reviewers, etc. o Outcome: fast mass prospecting upfront; vet later. Rinse and repeat method for all conferences in your topic area
Outreach Planning
Pull Speakers/Author Prospects
Search for each candidate to complete their record
Validate and Proof Your List Eliminate duplicates and delete rows for anyone you are not interested in contacting Make sure contents of merge fields (Session Title in Column H and Personalization in Column Q) will flow naturally with the contents of your mail merge letter
De-dupe Export a CSV of your sent items to your desktop. Copy and paste the column from the CSV to the ‘Sent Items’ worksheet
Customize Your Message in Word
Mail Merge: Select Recipients
Mail Merge: Insert Merge Fields
Mail Merge: Preview and Send
Follow Up Sending your is just the first step. Ideally, you will send this 1-3 weeks before the conference, allowing yourself time to follow up with those you don’t hear back from Record the date you them and additional follow ups so you can track effectiveness of this method for your various conferences Attend sessions, especially to meet the people who did not respond but would really like to speak with; they may remember getting your and take a meeting. Follow up after the conference as well!