Conferences Are Hard

When I was in high-school I was somewhat of a free spirit. I was known to say absurd things. I was known for making crazy odd moves. My friends still today refer to me as creepy in a totally loving-Cassie you’re a weirdo kind of way.

During the nine months that I was pregnant I went through alot of changes. Not just physically but mentally. I began to feel nervous. I started thinking more about the things that came out of mouth. The ways that I worded my thoughts. The way that I presented myself.

Conferences are hard for me.

I love going and meeting everyone. I love meeting brands. I am kind of known for my “natural” ability to network. It isn’t natural. Sometimes I feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest. But I do it.

Because it is who I am.

It is who I was.

It is who I have always been.

In the moment I just go with it. I move fast. I go with the moment. I have no fear. I say what is on my mind. I just go with my gut…in a sense.

It is following the conference when things get hard. I start re-playing conversations in my head. I start re-thinking the way people responded to me. I start getting worried. The thoughts fill my heads and they move pretty fast. I get really nervous.

It takes me a few days to come down from this.

This weekend I met some fantastic women. Some trail blazers. Some amazing writers. Some powerful women. Some smart women. Some brilliant women.

I am soaking it all in. Bringing my heart rate down. Trying to decompress.


Marketing to the 20-Something Girl Revealed

I am not your typical 22-year old girl. In hopes of getting in the mind of how a 20-year old girl works I decided to do some “market research” on a close friend. Since I am 22 years old I was able to ask the questions most marketers don’t realize they should be asking. Read the transcripts below.

Cassie Boorn:

what gets you excited?

20-Something:

free stuff

Cassie Boorn:

what would make u want to buy a product?

20-Something:

thats what gets me excited

20-Something:

umm..coupons, or gifts with purchase lol

Cassie Boorn:

like if we did contesting and people could win a trip

Cassie Boorn:

would that be cool?

20-Something:

yes!

Cassie Boorn:

but would you take part in it?

Cassie Boorn:

or would you be like “i won’t win”

20-Something:

mm..i would probably say i wont win lol

Cassie Boorn:

that is my point!

Cassie Boorn:

what would get you interested?

Cassie Boorn:

what would make u do it

Cassie Boorn:

what if you got free stuff sent to you but you had to tell your friends about it

Cassie Boorn:

would you do it?

20-Something:

yes lol

20-Something:

if u get free stuff, i do stuff

Cassie Boorn:

no i mean

Cassie Boorn:

say we send free stuff to 50 people

Cassie Boorn:

but they have to do post on their wall about a contest or tell their friends

Cassie Boorn:

host a party?

Cassie Boorn:

would you do it?

20-Something:

yes

Cassie Boorn:

or would you just say you did it?

20-Something:

well i would assume u would have to prove u did it

20-Something:

but if i got free stuff, i would tell my friends, or host a party

20-Something:

it would actually be fun to host a party actually..

Cassie Boorn:

so you tell your friends im hosting a party for a brand and they would come?

Cassie Boorn:

this is interesting

20-Something:

well id tell my friends im hosting a party..and there will be free booze..and then they will come

—-

This conversation took place via Instant Messaging. Some words and names were changed. The point is-motivating a 20-Something to take action or get involved is tough. It is nearly impossible. The summary of this conversation…What are 20-year old girls motivated by? Free Stuff and Booze

The point of this conversation is this: You can send college students free stuff. You can pass out free products on campus. You can ask them to throw parties. BUT You have to find a way to motivate them to take action.

Bloggers have no problem writing reviews and tweeting about products. However, Gen Y is a whole new field.

I would love any thoughts/idea/inspiration in the comments.