5 Quick Domaining Conference Tips

DOMAINfest Global is coming to an end and I can say without hesitation that I will be coming back to this conference in 2011.  At the moment I am sitting in on the Moniker Live Auction and there is an active bidding war going on.  It’s quite exciting but even with all this excitement I figured it was time for me to type a blog entry on something that has really been on my mind.  Not to mention I won’t be in any shape to type a blog entry later.

Why is that?  Because we are going to the Playboy Mansion. I apologize to all of you that weren’t able to make it out here.  I will do my best to enjoy the Playboy Mansion for all of you!  Now lets move onto my main point 5 quick domaining conference tips.

1.  Make Hotel Reservations

I don’t care if you live in the surrounding area, it is important to stay within walking distance.  Although I live about 15 minutes away from the hotel by car I was late getting to DOMAINfest every day!  Some days it was because of Los Angeles traffic and other days it was because I just wasn’t able to wake up early enough to attend some of the morning functions.  Either way it would of been much easier to attend the conference at a reasonable time if I was located within local vacinity.

2.  Bring Business Cards

If you don’t have business cards, then stop reading this entry now and get some made!  I can’t tell you how many people I met that asked me for my business cards.  Luckily I had some business cards printed a few years ago for my company Eight Motives, LLC.  The business cards I currently have do not apply to the domaining division of my company, but anything is better than nothing.

In the future I plan on designing a few business card concepts which apply directly to domaining.  In a future blog entry I plan on taking a couple of pictures of the business cards that I received during the conference.  The stack of business cards that I received from fellow attendees looks like a deck of cards!  I was suprised how many people were aware of the DNPIMPING blog!  People as far as Brazil even recognized me during the conference!

3.  Always Carry A Digital Camera

Ok, you might not be a great photographer but there is way to many things going on to write down.  You need something to capture the moment.  I have taken a great deal of pictures at both TRAFFIC and DOMAINfest and if they let me carry my camera to the Playboy Mansion tonight then I will snap photos like a mad man!  So if you don’t have a digital camera, buy one now! Come on they are cheap these days!

4.  Pack A Suit

This is for all of you entrepreneurs out there.  If you don’t have a decent suit then please get one.  Remember, at these conferences you are representing yourself as a brand.  If you represent yourself well, people will remember you.  A friend of mine that I met at DOMAINfest said wow you’ve been networking like crazy.  In theory I have been, but at the same time people have come up to me wondering who I am.

5.  Bring Cash

If you are networking correctly you will be invited out to nightlife events.  In addition to this domaining conferences normally have networking functions in the evening.  You will need the cash to tip the bar tenders and waitresses.  Don’t appear cheap and order a vodka tonic and simply walk away from the bar.  Even when you don’t think people are watching, trust me they are.   Your every move is being monitored.

You might need the cash for transportation as well.  If you are invited to a private party at a hotel or house in a remote area, you will need cash for a taxi.  In reference to DOMAINfest, Los Angeles is a huge place and you can’t just hop onto public transit at 3am in the morning!

Its time for me to get back to the auction. I am enjoying every moment of it.  I hope these tips help you during your next domaining conference.