Ever felt overwhelmed with the pile of business cards gathered from a business convention or networking event?  A stack of cards, no idea where to start or not even able to remember the individual and their needs.

I had these exact thoughts as I returned from the Spark & Hustle conference  in LA and unloaded the business cards, flyers and product examples I gathered throughout the three day event.  During the event I was able to meet many amazing people and gathered their business cards but then came without a plan and wasted time sorting through cards and contacts.

I realized that for the next Spark and Hustle I attended or any networking event, I had to Get Organized!

A quick trip to staples with an idea in mind: A 3-ring binder notebook a pack of  3-ring letter size business card holders, clear binder pocket sleeves, black magic marker, some assorted colored marking tabs and pop-up tape and started assembling. What came out of it was a well-organized system to gather contacts and organize them for an easy and expedited follow-up.  And as my husband coined, a mighty fine looking Trapper Keeper. 

Whether you utilize a Trapper Keeper or other note taking system, prepare ahead and make notes so that your event will be worth the time and money spent by allowing for the most effective follow-up. 

Immediately Take Notes
Here are some tips you can implement while you get organized. As soon as you meet someone and have gathered their business card, file the card away in a business card holder and jot down notes on the plastic insert. (If you don’t have a filing system on hand, jot notes directly on the card.) 

Referencing the day you met them, where you met them and brief detail about your conversation.   Draw diagrams where they sat at your table to help reference them personally while making your follow-up contacts.

Plan your Follow-Up 
As you take notes on each card you should also be planning your follow-up.  Write down the business collaborations discussed, what interests they had about in your business or unique products they offer.  This will help you with a faster and more effective follow-up.

Categorize your Contacts
As you gather contacts, organize them by your business needs for a more streamlined follow-up.  My categories to reference were:  
• Business Interest: contacts that were interested in my services
• Collaboration: contacts that for business collaboration
• Communication: contacts that did not meet an immediate specific need
And also note Immediate Follow-up if there is urgency with the contact.

If you receive flyers or information from different speakers, take notes on their speech to reference in your follow-up and label them in the pocket sleeves.

It is imperative that you get organized before any conference or networking event so that you get the best value for your money spent – what was your time worth if you weren’t able to effectively follow-up?

So, I have to admit, after being in business since 1997, I thought I had a pretty good idea of most things "business".  However, after attending the first of 8 nationwide Spark & Hustle Conferences in Los Angeles this past week...I found out that I wasn't all that smart.  I was overwhelmed with all the real world knowledge and tactics that I learned to take Just Between Friends to more communities and families across the nation.

I wanted to share some of my insights from last week and hope that it will encourage you to, as Tory Johnson says, "get busy DOing and ACTing, not just the planning."

First off...the line up of speakers was amazing...not sure how I got to be a part, but I am amazed at these smart women (and a couple of men) and how they have turned their passions into profit.

Secondly, kudos to Tory Johnson for putting on this amazing event.  You are one awesome woman and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for empowering women across America! 

I am hoping that our 300,000+ customers across the JBF sisterhood will be able to take some of this advice and apply it to their life somehow!  Enjoy!

Jessica Herrin, founder of Stella & Dot (StellaDot.com), is a serial entrepreneur and is currently leading a 100 million dollar company (that she hopes will be a billion dollar company). 

     Make sure that what you are doing generates sales-everything else is      procrastination

     Hobbies-you spend money: Business-You make money

     Stay Curious-listen to your customers

     Listen to Critics-listening to people who compliment you does you no good

     Envision Yourself with your "Best Case Scenario"

     Word of Mouth Advertising is created by two things: Being Irresistable and Delivering Value (GO JBF)

Jess Weiner, this generation's Go to Girl for self esteem and a Dove Real Beauty Ambassador. www.jessweiner.com

     One door closes and another opens

     Rejection is "NOT NOW"-not "NEVER"

     We are all pefectly IMPERFECT-we can have grace in accepting that

Marley Majcher, (ThePartyGoddess.com) helped us learn how to Price for Profit

     Activities need to produce specific results

     Ditch the dogs (lame activities) and replace with something that generates $$

     Watch those "forget me not" expenses (shipping, mileage, lunches, cell phone, parking)

     Track your time

Jack and Julie Nadel-65 successful years in business-This guy had a lot to say and I couldn't write fast enough. www.ideasthatmeanbusiness.com

     Business today is all about the three R's.  Relationships, Results and      Rewards

     Trick to Negotiating-Find a way to give it to them (No one wins when      attorneys get involved)

     Stress for Success-Look for the rainbow

Stacie Krajchir-Tom, founder www.TheBungalowpr.com, worked as a TV producer for 12 years (NBC, Extra and Style Network) and now empowers small businesses to gain national exposure.

     Show me what you are selling

     Where do you WANT to be featured?

     Understand your editor and the publication-spin the topic to that editor's section

     Follow up phone calls with an email

     Go regional before you go national

Honestly, each of the 20+ speakers had awesome insight, experience and tactics to put all of this great advice to work for you.  I loved every minute of it and feel like I have lots of new friends who will help Just Between Friends be the best that it can be for our customers. 

If YOU want to attend a Spark & Hustle event, visit www.sparkandhustle.com for dates and details, along with information on how to apply now for scholarship assistance. See more photos and feedback from the Los Angeles event at Facebook.com/Tory.

I loved this amazing event and wish that all my friends could attend.  If this has you thinking..."hmmmm....sounds like something that I would like", then please take a minute to check it out.  I have the privilege of getting to be at all of the upcoming conferences and I would love, love, love to meet you!

Tulsa, New York, Dallas, Boston, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta- I'll see YOU there!

Here's to YOUR success!