Stop leaving tech conferences with just a free t-shirt and some stickers. It's time to leave with a job offer. 🚀
The difference between a successful conference and a waste of money isn't luck, it's strategy. In this episode, we break down the ultimate conference survival guide for software developers and tech professionals. Learn how to shift from a passive "Tourist Mindset" to a proactive "Architect Mindset" to build real opportunities.
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💡 Sponsor: Level Up Financial Planning
Changing careers or increasing your income? Get financial clarity with Level Up Financial Planning—helping early and mid-career tech professionals secure their financial future. Visit LevelUpFinancialPlanning.com for a free consultation!
https://www.levelupfinancialplanning.com/
Stay in Touch:
📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?
Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!
Danny Thompson
https://x.com/DThompsonDev
https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev
www.DThompsonDev.com
Leon Noel
https://x.com/leonnoel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/
https://100devs.org/
📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?
Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!
We cover everything you need to know to turn your next conference badge into a massive career investment, including:
✅ The pre-conference blueprint: How to research, set measurable goals, and connect with speakers before you even arrive.
✅ On-site execution: Master the art of the three-minute conversation, ask questions that make you memorable, and build genuine connections.
✅ The follow-up formula that actually gets you a response and leads to interviews.
✅ Actionable advice for both extroverts and introverts to network with confidence.
Whether you're looking for your first tech job or your tenth, this is the playbook you'll want to reference time and time again.
YouTube Chapters
00:00 - Job Offer vs. Free T-Shirt: The Real Difference
01:41 - Turning Online Connections into Real Relationships
03:22 - What is Your "Why"? Defining Your Conference Goal
04:25 - The #1 Mistake: Don't Get Lost in the Hallway Track
05:52 - A Simple Trick to Connect With Any Speaker
07:32 - It's Not Luck, It's Strategy
08:15 - The "Tourist" vs. "Architect" Mindset
09:13 - Sponsor: Level Up Financial Planning
10:18 - The True Cost of Attending a Conference ($2,200?!)
12:27 - The Pre-Conference Blueprint for Job Seekers
13:40 - The Genius "Coffee Chat" Calendar Invite Strategy
15:25 - Champions Are Made in the Pre-Season
17:13 - How to Research Attendees (Not Just Speakers)
18:20 - Mastering the 3-Minute Conversation
20:04 - The Secret Magic of Tech Conferences
22:34 - Setting Measurable Goals for Your Conference
25:22 - How (and When) to Bravely Ask for a Referral
28:26 - The Psychology of Asking for a Favor
30:38 - How to Talk About Yourself Without Being Salesy
33:27 - The Long-Tail Game of Networking
34:26 - A Counterintuitive Tip: Don't Introduce Yourself First
35:22 - Questions That Make You Unforgettable
40:48 - Networking Tips for Introverts
43:51 - Pro Tip: Never Eat Alone
46:36 - The Most Valuable Part of a Conference: The Follow-Up
49:03 - Ask Us Anything: Following Up With a VIP You Met
