I am an author - and discovered the advantages of being a helper at a writers' conference

 I wore my 'I am an author' tee-shirt to a writers' conference. I thought several people would have the tee-shirt. I was surprised that I was the only one.

It caused a lot of raised eyebrows and smiles.

This year I was a helper at a conference for the first time. 

I was given a badge with a distinctive coloured lanyard.

Badge and lanyard for Ambassador. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. 

 The lanyard had two benefits. First, it identified me as a person keen to answer questions so newcomers would be encouraged to seek help. secondly, it kept reminding me of my duty, to ask anybody with  white necomers badge, when they were dithering on a corner, looking lost, "Can I help you?"

Helping has several advantages. 

You feel virtuous. You feel confident.

You have an opportunity to talk to newcomers. Even if it's just saying, 'My name is so and so. If you want anything, Just ask me.'

You have the opportunity to interact more with the organizers.

You might be invited to a session to brief newcomers. This is an opportunity for socialising and networking. You might also get a free drink.

You might be invited to a thank you session. Again you can socialise, this time with long-standing or knowledgeable oganizers. Again, you might get a free drink.

You spend less time hanging around like a lemon and instead feel busy and happy.

You have to reframe your thoughts into always being positive. Instead of saying, these toilets are too small, which you might do to friends. you find youself saying, Not to worry, there are more upstairs, which is how you speak to reassure newcomers. As a byproduct of speaking psoitively to them, you keep yourself contented.