Goals, Referrals, Conversations, and Follow-Up

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.

SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/

💡 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