By A.C. Williams by @acw_author

Learning new things is one of the greatest gifts in the world. No matter what field you’re in, we are all capable of learning something new just about every day. 

Conferences, like Blue Ridge and others, are a fantastic environment to learn industry tips, writing craft, and other important techniques. The downside of conferences is how quickly they move. Often it seems like you barely arrive before it’s time to leave again, and you can’t remember who you’ve talked to or what classes you attended. 

This is why it’s important to take notes. Now, maybe some folks can remember every interaction, every class, and every speaker’s outline. I can’t. By the end of the week, I count myself fortunate if I can remember my own name! (Not really, but almost.)

There are plenty of strategies to make the most of your conference experience, like carrying your business cards and sitting at a different table for every meal. But the one that I’ve found the most useful over the years is how to take effective notes. 

No matter how much of a multi-tasker you are, a writing conference is like drinking from a fire hose. It can overwhelm you with absurdly useful information if you aren’t prepared for it. 

Of course, one sure-fire way to get all the information is to purchase the session recordings. That’s always a great idea because you can go back and listen to everything. You’re almost guaranteed to find something you missed the first time. But what about when you’re in the thick of it? Is there a way to take notes you’ll actually use when you’re attending a class?

Here are some strategies that have worked for me.

Carry a notebook and some pens

Maybe this sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t think of this. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or massively organized. Grab a 50-cent notebook and a pack of cheap pens at the grocery store and carry them with you. Although, be sure to test your pens before the class starts. 

Bring your laptop 

If you’d rather bring a laptop to take notes on, do that. I take faster notes on a laptop, to be honest, although I think I take more meaningful notes by hand. But it depends on the person. The one caution about your laptop is to be aware of the outlet situation. The room you’re in may not have a power outlet, so if your laptop is as old as mine and MUST be plugged in to function, you might be better off with a notebook and pens. Just saying. 

Use your phone

I don’t prefer this option, but I’ve done it before when I didn’t have an alternative. You can absolutely take notes on your phone. But rather than using one of the phone’s built-in apps, I usually prefer to install one that I’m more comfortable with, like Google Docs or Evernote. If you have a Microsoft Office subscription, you likely have access to OneNote, which is a fantastic document sharing program. You can take notes on your mobile device and send it to your email or your computer, whatever you choose. 

Take a photo with your phone

If the instructor you’re listening to has a slide that’s so full of information you can’t write it all down in time, pull out your phone and snap a photo of it. It may sound silly, but trust me, grabbing a picture of the slide is a lot better than having to ask the instructor to wait or go backward. It’ll save you embarrassment and them frustration. 

Ask for the PowerPoint

Finally, you can always ask your instructor to send you a copy of their presentation. Now, if they don’t have a slide presentation, you may be out of luck. But usually instructors will have a handout or something that they can send with you. Some instructors may even offer to send the presentation to you as the class is beginning. 

Don’t let the instructors scare you. Most of the time, they are teaching because they love to share their knowledge and wisdom with others. So having you ask them for their presentation will probably make their day. Just be sure to be polite about it, okay? (And don’t follow them into the bathroom to request it either. Just saying.)

There are many different strategies to take great notes at a conference, and these are just a few of the ones that have worked for me. Can you think of any others? Share your strategies if you’ve got them!

Award-winning author A.C. Williams is a coffee-drinking, sushi-eating, story-telling nerd who loves cats, country living, and all things Japanese. She’d rather be barefoot, and if she isn’t, her socks won’t match. She has authored eight novels, three novellas, three devotional books, and more flash fiction than you can shake a stick at. A senior partner at Uncommon Universes Press, she is passionate about stories and the authors who write them. Learn more about her book coaching and follow her adventures online at www.amycwilliams.com.