Talking marketing in Miami: my Transatlantic adventure
I've only been to America once before, and it was an unforgettable trip to New York with my dad, just before I turned 21. My friends were getting into student debt at university, and couldn't afford my first choice — Las Vegas — so I convinced my dad to join me in New York. It was an amazing trip and fitted the imagination I had of the city at that age.
I’ve always had a vision of what it meant to be in America. I’ve set high expectations for the land of fun, excitement, and endless possibilities. However, recent political events and media coverage had somewhat tainted that view. Nevertheless, being invited to speak at an event in the U.S. as the owner of my own company was a significant milestone.
The venue, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, turned out to be a colossal, mirrored, electric guitar, hundreds of feet high. My younger self wouldn't believe the adventure I was embarking on. ‘Breaking America’ suddenly became a real possibility, and as a colleague humorously pointed out, America might be doing a good job of breaking itself... but we won’t go down that road.
The American networking scene differed dramatically from the UK’s. As an enthusiastic and outgoing individual, I've always enjoyed networking at conferences back home. However, the openness and enthusiasm I encountered in America were on a different level, and I really felt like I fitted in.
Attending the Lead Generation World event was a pleasure, and the organizer, Michael Ferree, did an outstanding job. The atmosphere was vibrant, with everyone expressing support and a genuine willingness to collaborate.
On the first day, I met a host of interesting people and made valuable connections. The event venue was massive, but I was slated to speak on one of the smaller stages, a prospect I found comforting. The following day, nerves set in as I prepared to share insights on lead generation and how to reach dream clients via LinkedIn.
The Hard Rock Hotel where the event took place is in Hollywood, Florida (not to be confused with the better-known Hollywood in Los Angeles!) but I stayed a little further down, in Miami. This provided a unique experience: after a day of networking, I explored the incredible nightlife of Miami. I even smoked a Cuban cigar, actually from Cuba! #WelcomeToMiami
While the second day brought more nervousness and less networking, the satisfaction of a well-received talk on LinkedIn lead generation made it worthwhile. As I shared my experience of growing a business organically on LinkedIn, I couldn't help but be inspired by the captivating speakers at the event.
Lessons learned included the importance of requesting a radio mic for future talks and the impact of stage presence, costumes, and confidence. Encouraged by the success of this venture, plans are underway to find more events in the coming months and continue my quest to break into the American market.
My American experience was a rollercoaster of emotions, from the high expectations set during my childhood to the unexpected success and warmth I received in the U.S. I left with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, determination, and a resolve to return for more adventures in the future.
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