eBay On Location in Orlando is right around the corner, are you ready? Here are tips to ensure that you make most of the eBay event!
Before you leave for Orlando, ask yourself a few questions. What are your goals? What sessions do you want to attend? Who do you want to meet? What questions do you have for eBay staffers, sellers attendees, and sponsors? What booths do you want to be sure to visit? As an eBay seller who has attended every On Location and three eBay Radio events, let me share with you have I have learned.
Make a plan
For starters, get to know the schedule and plan your trip. Study the entire schedule of events and sessions and the speakers list before you go so you can prioritize which sessions you’d like to attend. These sessions fill quickly and some run simultaneously, so make sure you map out which ones you don’t want to miss! Seating availability is limited in some of the break out sessions, and the “Know Your Numbers” session with Griff is a favorite among attendees that fills up fast. Can’t be in two places at once? Not to worry, eBay will be posting these sessions in a few weeks for all eBay sellers to enjoy. You can view the sessions from the Spring 2011 eBayOL in Vegas here.
The Schedule
The eBay On Location event doesn’t officially begin until registration opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday, but many attendees are arriving Tuesday evening. While there is no official Meet and Greet planned, the lobby bar of the Orlando Hilton at 7 p.m will be “the place to be” for cocktails and networking among sellers, eBay staffers, and sponsors. Join us there to unwind after your long trip. If you are an Education Specialist, Sharon Guldner has lined up a special day of training and events beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. For those who have RSVP’d, this event will be in the Lake Lucerne room at the Orlando Hilton. Contact Sharon Guldner of the Education Specialist program for more information.
Registration opens at 5 pm followed by a very special seller appreciation dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Immediately following the seller dinner, PayPal is hosting the poolside cocktail and networking event from 8 to 11 p.m. They will have many staffers at this event to celebrate sellers and share how PayPal can help you grow your business. Be sure to stop by their booth during On Location and meet Sheryl Yamashita, Director of Merchant Relations, and Mark Dews, Merchant Account Manager. They will gladly get your information and assist you in scheduling a future seller outreach call with your merchant account manager to discuss risk management, and how to market and grow your business.
Mark will be a guest tonight on RRB Radio to share more details of the poolside event tonight 8:08 p.m. EST. After the PayPal poolside celebration, the folks at Kabbage welcome sellers to join them at the lobby bar to network with sellers and discuss how they can help sellers grow their business with a Kabbage advance.
Thursday is a full day of scheduled sessions and events. It is fast and furious, so having your plan scheduled out will help you keep on track to accomplish your goals. On Thursday after the event, Richard Brewer-Hay will host a tweetup at a local pub to connect with sellers and share some suds. He will tweet this late in the afternoon so be sure to follow @eBayInkBlog on Twiitter. While you’re at it, take a moment and follow eBay Ink’s Social Media Sellers and join in the conversation!
eBay Radio will broadcast live on Thursday, September 8, from 12:30-2pm ET (11:30am-1pm CT, 10:30am-12pm MT, 9:30-11am PT). Be sure to stop by to see Griff, Lee Mirabal, eBetsy and the rest of the eBay Radio crew. Sellers not attending can visit the eBay Radio Group on eBay and join them online.
Make a list
It never fails that after returning home from these events that I realize I forgot to connect with someone, or missed a chance to ask them something. I recommend that you make a list of people you want to be sure to connect with, and those questions or ideas you want to discuss with them.
Technology
In the age of smartphones, tablets and gadgets, I have learned about many fabulous apps that can help you make the most of attending these events, and organize your travel. Here are just a few to get you started.
First and foremost, the eBay and PayPal apps help you keep track of your business while you are away. For connecting with others, check out Bump. This app exchanges contact information with just a bump of your iPhone. Never again scribble down name and phone numbers on napkins! Next be sure to check out the CardMunch iPhone app or CardCam for Droid. You can take photos of the business cards you collect and store them on a smart phone. Taking notes can be a real challenge at these events, so why not download a notes app such as Evernote, Notes, or Noterize, they rock! Save your notes so that you can print, email, and organize them later. Want to connect with other sellers in Orlando venturing out around Orlando? Be sure to download the FourSquare app so that you can join them. There are so many apps to help you make the most of your trip and assist you in your travels.
To help you blog while you’re there, check out the WordPress app or Posterize to help you get it done in a snap. Consider downloading your airlines app too to stay on top of your flight plans. I recommend social networking apps such as Facebook and Twitter to share what you learn and connect with sellers at the event. Be sure to use Twitter hashtag #eBayOL to stay in the conversation! Remember to be sure and sign in with your passwords and get the apps set up BEFORE you get on the plane so they are ready to go. One last tip: Back up your laptops and sync your phones before the trip. I’ll be tweeting about my eBayOL adventures and favorite apps here.
Many thanks to eBay for hosting these eBayOL events. Please be sure to find me and say hello. Connecting with my fellow sellers is the highlight of these events for me. Also, dont forget to use the #eBayOL hashtag on Twitter.
Safe travels,
Melinda
