You can’t imagine what you’re missing out on.
I had a bit of a strange day a few weeks ago.
It started when I decided to attend two different events in two different cities on the same day, and I didn’t have a ticket to either one.
Event A I only found out about late the day before from someone at yet another event. When I got home, I headed online to buy a ticket. To my dismay, the website said that the event was full and that all the tickets were sold out.
Event B I heard about earlier, at least a few days prior, but I took my time before deciding to attend. By the time I had all my questions answered and realized that I really should go, I – again – headed online to reserve a place. This time though, I didn’t receive rejection immediately. In fact, it was only the next day while I was at Event A, that an email reply told me there was no more room at Event B either. Unfortunately for me, I only saw that email reply after I was already traveling to Event B.
Confused yet?
I obviously managed to get in to Event A.
I also got in to Event B as hoped.
In both cases, I took the chance of going to an event with the knowledge that I wasn’t supposed to get in.
So why did I still go?
Events always have no-shows. Things come up at the last minute, people get sick, emergencies need to be handled. Their need to be elsewhere opens the door for you.
Low opportunity cost. Event A wasn’t far from my office so if I had been shut out, the lost time would have been minor. Event B required travel, but since I was already on the way when I found out that I wouldn’t get in, the opportunity cost was already paid so I didn’t have much left to lose.
Deductive thinking. Registrants to Event A were required to choose a seat from a seating plan of the venue’s main auditorium. Once all the seats were paid for, the event website would no longer let you buy a ticket. But the event agenda mentioned a second hall and networking areas, so there was clearly room for more people than those seated in the main auditorium.
What I represented for the event. Event B was a speed networking event between entrepreneurs and job seekers. I was coming as the former and these events typically have more of the latter, so my presence would help create a better balance. On top of that, my being there would only add another 2 minutes to the presentations, so they would almost surely be able to fit me in.
No one else would dare. The fact that so few people will dare to get in meant that I was likely the only one, which gave me the best chances of success.
Don’t take no for an answer, especially when it comes to attending events.
Author:
Jacob Share, a job search expert, is the creator of JobMob, one of the biggest blogs in the world about finding jobs. Follow him on Twitter for job search tips and humor.
