How Startups Can Stand Out at Major Conferences
Set one clear goal
Startups often try to do everything at an event: find customers, meet investors, recruit and build brand awareness all at once. Pick the one outcome that matters most this quarter, and plan your time around it. You will come home with better results and a clearer sense of whether it was worth the trip.
Tell a story people can repeat
When someone asks what your company does, you have about ten seconds. Describe the problem you solve and who you solve it for, in words a stranger could repeat to a colleague. Save the technical details for the follow-up conversation.
Make the most of a small footprint
You don’t need a large booth to get noticed. Some approaches that work well for young companies:
- Ask good questions in sessions; speakers and attendees remember thoughtful contributions
- Host a small breakfast or meetup around a specific topic
- Offer a short live demo instead of handing out brochures
- Apply to speak or join a panel, even at a smaller event first
Follow up quickly
Leads go cold fast. Within a few days, send each contact a short, personal message that refers to your conversation, with one clear next step. Keep a simple list of who you met and what you promised.
Learn from others who did it
Our Founder Stories sessions close both days of Hugecon. They are a chance to hear how other founders used events like this one to find their first customers, and to meet the people building companies alongside you.
