Now that convention is over, what should you be doing?
- Following-Up… Those business cards you collected like Pokémon? While it’s still fresh in your mind, make notes and remember a takeaway from each conversation you had with that individual. As you write your follow-up email or handwritten note, reference that moment. Convention is a whirlwind of handshakes and conversations but the follow-up is crucial. That’s how relationships, mentorships, friendships and most importantly future job opportunities are made.
- Turning Notes into Action… As much as it’s summer time and easy to move toward relaxing, this period of time is actually a marketing administrator’s dream. You have TIME and the ability to put your UNDIVIDED ATTENTION on prepping for your fall sports. Review those notes you took during sessions and quickly turn them into action items for yourself and your department. The quicker you map it all out, the better chances you have at staying on top of it and executing it for the upcoming year. There’s nothing worse than coming across those notes months later and banging your head against the wall for letting those awesome ideas slip away from you.
*This also makes for a great follow-up, reach out the respective administrator that presented on the topic and pick their brain for logistics on execution!*
- Having Conversations… When you get back on campus, get together with your external staff and get on the same page (if you haven’t already). Remember NACDA is about all different factions of our industry getting together and sharing ideas. There’s a good chance other parts of your athletic department came back with some awesome ideas too.
BONUS TIP… If you’re looking to submit items for the NACMA ‘Best Of’ Awards next year, print out the document outlining what they’re looking for. The projects your department produces throughout the year probably hits a lot of the requirements but nothing is better than having the R.O.I. to back up how awesome that promotion was. Track everything as you go and it’ll make the submission process easier for next year.
Lastly, the biggest takeaway for me is that no matter what institution you're at... Let the victories, no matter how large or small, motivate you. Rome (or a great promotion) wasn't built in a day.
Good luck and can't wait for #NACMA18 in Washington D.C.!