Top 7 Things Women Can Do to Build Their Personal Brand at Conferences (Part 5) Leverage Q/A Privileges

As a woman in tech, it is imperative to network with influencers at conferences hosted in different parts of the world. Whether its an exclusive women’s only event or an mainstream open event, being prepared to engage with influencers effectively leads to great opportunities down the road. 

For the past 5 years, I’ve attended well over 240+ events and spoken at half of them. Attending events has not only led to great insight strategies to accelerate my personal brand and business but it has also led to great funding and marketing opportunities that I still leverage to this very day.

Here is a list of the top unique action items that women can due to leverage their time effectively at today’s leading conferences and events. Tune in each day between 11am-12pm for the next tip. Read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, and part 4 here.

Christine Souffrant Ntim asking a question directly to the Prime Minister of Haiti at the Clinton Global Initiative Meeting

5. Write out your questions for panels in advance.

Asking notable questions at a conference is always a sure fire way to not only get information on something you need answers for but to also get noticed. If you have questions ready, you can either tweet them a couple of minutes before the panel starts or be ready to raise your hand when the open call for questions begin. I did this at SXSW and got a positive response by Marc Cuban just for being this prepared.

You can of course tweak your questions during the course of the panel dialogue but the point is that you get your self positioned to get answers and exposure. There are 3 types of questions to always ask the speaker:

1. What's next? Speakers always want an opportunity to showcase what they are working on and sometimes the interview doesn't give them time to shed light on their next moves. Give speakers that platform and ask it directly. More importantly, end with "and how can we help you". You'd be surprised on how close you can get to big time celebrities and influencers with this add on.
2. What advice do you have for any of us to replicate what you did? Speakers have expertise and experience. Many love to share tips and advice so ask it.
3. Why do you do it? Anytime you are able to get to the heart of someone's purpose- you learn more. Furthermore, you tap into the speaker's fuzzy side and will be remembered for someone who asked a question that actually mattered.

Well, hope this has you excited for the next event. You already took the time to be there so make it count and get answers and exposure for doing so. Good luck!

Christine Souffrant Ntim is an award-winning Haitian-American & Ghanaian, entrepreneur & startup ecosystem expert for emerging markets. She was selected and featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, AdAge 40 Under 40, Haiti Changemakers 1804 List, Singularity NASA, Entrepreneur Magazine, Huffington Post, Inc Magazine and more. She speaks on digital entrepreneurship, personal branding, and future tech for emerging markets at over 20+ global conferences a year- which includes former appearances at the United Nations, TEDx, SXSW, European Union Forum, US State Department Tours, Startup Grind Global, SeedStars World, and more.

Sign up for my newsletter via www.christinesntim.com :) Want to have me speak at your event- book via info@christinesntim.com.