There are many ways we can improve our businesses, and there are also many ways we can improve our performances. I believe the fastest way to achieve both is by attending industry events. The next such event, and a highlight of our industry’s calendar, is in March – the Pro Mobile Conference. Later in the year we should see the return of The DJ Show, there will be two Plasa Shows and, of course, BPM – the Show for DJs, as well as a great many more regional get-togethers.

Here in the US, DJs can attend the newly rebranded Mobile Entertainment Expo (formerly Mobile Beat) in Las Vegas. This will be followed by Midwest DJs Live, the Marquee Show, DJ Times Expo, and the DJ Collective.

So, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to level up your business. And for me, what makes these shows so powerful are the people in attendance. I frequently hear, "the best education I received at the convention was in the hallways."

This is certainly true for me. The connections I’ve made over the years have been invaluable. I have formed new friendships at the same time as gaining insights into the opportunities available to my business.

And you can gain all of this too, by focusing on three key strategies to implement at future conventions. These strategies will help you create new connections, strengthen existing bonds and introduce an effective methodology when approaching relationships.


Avoiding relationship
arrogance


This is a concept I learned
from a networking group whose methodology is based on a book called ‘The City of Influence’. Relationship arrogance is present when we prioritise a relationship based on a forecasted return on investment. I’ll admit, I have been guilty of this in the past, and I may well have overlooked a person’s value based on my own standards and biases. Whenever I open myself up to new relationships, and not just the ones that I am pursuing, I gain friendships and relationships that are mutually beneficial.
You can’t know someone or what they can offer until you open up that possibility. I once overlooked a DJ at a networking event because I wanted to connect with the ‘high-profile’ DJs in the room. I was looking for the DJs wearing suits, with successful businesses, and who were well known in the industry. As I approached one of these high-profile DJs, he quickly introduced me to a DJ who was not on my radar.

My first thought was that he had nothing to offer me – boy, was I wrong. We struck up a conversation and I found that he had years of experience. He shared a lot of brilliant ideas that I still use in my performances. I’m glad to say we are still friends to this day and we often collaborate.

Take the time to go beyond the surface and take a chance with someone by avoiding relationship arrogance. Be interested, not interesting – this is a concept I learned from a fellow speaker and mentor, Ty Bennett. Have you ever been in a conversation with someone where the entire discussion was about them? I’d imagine you’ve encountered these people before. How did they make you feel? Did you feel like an equal in the conversation? This has certainly happened to me.

I’m inherently curious, so I always ask questions. I am genuinely interested in people's backgrounds and their experiences, which really helps me to get to know them properly. I also find that by being interested in others, people are more likely to want to get to know me. In these types of conversations, I find common ground. Take the time to be interested in others and your reward will be a mutually beneficial conversation.

Know someone not everyone