After the Conference: Strengthening Your Personal Brand as a Scientist

Welcome to another weekly edition of Leapfrog Scientist!

This is the follow up from the 2024 Society of Toxicology Annual meeting with tips to maintain the momentum gained from networking opportunities, knowledge exchange and post-conference activities to strengthen your personal brand. It’s an opportunity to capitalize on the connections made and insights acquired, ensuring that your efforts yield long-term benefits for your personal brand.

Participating in a scientific conference is just the beginning of a journey toward building and strengthening your personal brand within your field. Although the conference serves as a pivotal platform for networking and knowledge exchange, it is the post-conference actions that cement your standing and impact within the scientific community. Here are some actionable steps you can implement after attending a conference to amplify your personal brand:

Tips To Enhance Your Personal Brand After the Conference

1. Share Insights on Social Media: Leverage social media platforms such as LinkedIn to share insights and key takeaways from the conference. Craft posts summarizing interesting sessions or discussions, share multimedia content like photos or videos from the event. Tag relevant speakers or attendees to foster engagement and broaden your network within the scientific community. You don’t need to wait until the conference concludes; share real-time updates, key learnings, and exciting moments as they happen to maximize your online presence and interaction with your audience.

2. Engage with Other Conference Attendee Posts: Participate actively in social media platforms where attendees may be discussing conference highlights or sharing their experience. Offer insightful comments, ask questions, or share your perspectives on topics discussed during the event. By joining the conversation, you not only contribute to knowledge exchange but also establish yourself as an engaged member of the conference community.

By actively participating in these discussions, you expand your network, gain valuable insights, and enhance your visibility within the scientific community.

3. Create a Video/Audio of Your Presentation/Poster: Invest additional time in crafting multimedia content to reach a wider audience. If you presented using PowerPoint or created a poster in PowerPoint, utilize the record feature to include audio or audio/video elements. This allows your audience to listen while viewing your presentation, providing a more engaging and informative experience compared to simply sharing slides or posters.

For my recent Tiny Tox Talk presentation, I utilized this method without the need for any extra software or applications. Initially, I was apprehensive about incorporating video elements, and I found myself re-recording three times. Despite feeling that the final result wasn't as polished as I had hoped, I decided to upload the video to YouTube. As someone who typically dislikes watching themselves, I encourage you to push past any reservations and give it a try. With practice, you'll undoubtedly improve. Additionally, I made a commitment to step out of my comfort zone and begin creating video content, which this experience has reaffirmed.

4. Follow Up with Contacts: Following up with contacts made during a conference rank among the most critical post-conference tasks. Send personalized emails conveying appreciation for the interaction and follow up with any information discussed. Build these relationships by offering support, sharing updates, and discussing potential collaborations. Additionally, send a LinkedIn connection request to add them to your professional network.

Scientific conferences extend beyond presentations and poster sessions—they serve as vital platforms for networking and career advancement. Proficient networking skills can unlock opportunities for collaboration, job prospects, and invaluable insights. As a scientist, honing your networking abilities at conferences is paramount to progressing in your field.

5. Publish a Conference Recap Blog Post: Write a blog post recapping your conference experience, highlighting key presentations, and sharing your personal reflections. Include photos, videos, or links to relevant resources to make your recap more engaging and informative. Publishing a conference recap blog post not only demonstrates your thought leadership but also provides valuable content for your audience.

6. Incorporate New Knowledge into Your Work: Integrate the knowledge and insights gained from the conference into your ongoing research or projects. Implement new methodologies, explore novel ideas, or collaborate with peers you met at the conference. Applying what you've learned demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and innovation within your field.

7. Update Your Professional Profiles: Update your professional profiles or personal website, to include recent accomplishments, publications, or presentations from the conference. Spotlighting your involvement in conferences enhances your authority and credibility within the scientific community.

For example, I've been neglectful in updating my website with presentations and posters. Consequently, I intend to work on uploading all the webinars and presentations I've participated in, thereby establishing a centralized repository for this information. While I've mainly relied on LinkedIn for disseminating such details, I aim to consolidate them on my ToxPharm website for easier access and navigation.

8. Seek Speaking Opportunities: Leverage your presence at conferences to springboard yourself towards speaking engagements at upcoming events. Submit abstracts for oral presentations, panel discussions, or workshops that align with your conference experience or research interests. These speaking opportunities not only offer valuable exposure but also establish you as a leader in your field. Most of these require significant advance planning, so it’s a good idea to start planning at the end of the conference for the next one.

Moreover, simply presenting at a conference can unlock further speaking opportunities. Following my recent Tiny Tox Talk, I was approached to contribute to a future symposium or panel discussion on Personal Branding at the next SOT conference. This underscores the potential for speaking opportunities that stem from conference presentations.

9. Maintain Engagement in Your Scientific Community: Remain actively involved in your professional community by participating in local meetups, seminars, or workshops pertinent to your area of expertise. Engaging in these events keeps you connected with colleagues and fosters ongoing growth and development as a scientist.

10. Reflect and Set Goals for the Future: Dedicate some time to reflecting on your conference experience and establish objectives for the future. What insights did you gain? Which aspects do you seek to enhance? By setting concrete goals, this will help you continue to evolve and strengthen your personal brand as a scientist.

In conclusion, the steps you take after attending a scientific conference are critical for strengthening your personal brand within your field. By following up with contacts, sharing insights on social media, incorporating new knowledge into your work, and actively engaging with your professional community, you can solidify your presence and influence as a scientist. Remember, building a strong personal brand is an ongoing process that requires dedication, continuous learning, and active participation in your field.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you've discovered several actionable steps to begin enhancing your brand. Feel free to leave a comment if there's anything crucial you believe should be added to the post-conference to-do list.

Chat soon,

Bonnie

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