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Fred Mercury
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 5:23 pm
Post subject: affiliate / webmaster conventions??
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Xmas Greetings Guys n Gals
Has anyone here attended any decent affiliate / webmaster conventions?? I am based in Europe but would be happy to make a trip to the USA or Uk if i thought there was something worthwhile.
any info, anyone ??
Fred |
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Charlie
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 7:36 pm
Post subject: Re: affiliate / webmaster conventions??
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Hello Fred.
I have never attended a marketing or affiliate conference, and I don't think I'm in any hurry to.
From what I hear, the main benefit is networking. If you are a big(gish) player in "internet marketing" you might get something out of the face-to-face encounters, but I wouldn't rely on getting a good deal from the speakers...
From what I hear (from people who have been), many are similar to a great big sales pitch. I don't believe there are any "free tickets" in this game, however much you pay.
Just my opinion,
Charlie.
_________________
"Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx |
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AllanGardyne
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Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 6:29 am
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Even a badly run seminar that is mainly one sales pitch after another can be truly exhilarating.
There's nothing quite like the experience of traveling halfway round the world and having lunch with John Audette in Hawaii and picking his brains or having dinner with the zany Marlon Sanders halfway up the Las Vegas version of the Eiffel Tower.
What was said at the seminar? Chances are, you paid some ridiculous price, plus air fares and accommodation and a week later, you can't even remember what was said. When you get back home you're too busy to look at the notes you took, but you'll never forget actually meeting Mark Joyner or Ralph Wilson in person.
How to do you put a price on an experience like that? You can't.
Have a look at Ralph's http://www.wilsonweb.com.com at the right-hand column. He just added links ALL OVER his site to AssociatePrograms.com!
What a guy! Would he have done that if we hadn't met face-to-face at a seminar? I doubt it.
Allan Gardyne - AssociatePrograms.com
The Complete Site Build It! Reference Center...
This Link Directory May Change Your Affiliate Business
http://www.AssociatePrograms.com/search/reference-center.shtml |
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Charlie
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Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:36 am
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| Quote: | | How to do you put a price on an experience like that? You can't. |
I just don't believe most of us would be "lucky" enough to to get access to the people we'd like to meet, let alone pick their brains over a meal. 
I think if I was going to fly half way round the world I'd need to have the prospective meal invitations in my hand first.
Just my opinion,
Charlie.
_________________
"Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx |
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AllanGardyne
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Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:51 pm
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| Charlie wrote: | | I just don't believe most of us would be "lucky" enough to to get access to the people we'd like to meet, let alone pick their brains over a meal. |
True. In my case, luck had absolutely nothing to do with. Joanna bowled up to the people concerned, told them how much we respected them, and made the arrangements 
| Quote: | | I think if I was going to fly half way round the world I'd need to have the prospective meal invitations in my hand first. |
Ahhh, Mr Cautious. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I say.
It's surprisingly easy to meet big name marketers at marketing conferences, whether you're made a reputation for yourself, or not.
You have two important factors in your favor.
1. Your competition is weak. In my experience - only four conferences - a surprisingly large percentage of people who attend Internet marketing conferences appear to be like me in public - shy. When the frequent breaks occur, instead of making the most of their opportunities, they stay rooted to their seats or merely chat with the person they came with. What a dreadful waste of the money they paid. (Perhaps Internet marketing attracts an overly large percentage of introverts.)
2. Many conferences are spread over two or three days, so there are LOTS of short breaks, mid-morning breaks, lunch breaks, mid-afternoon breaks etc during which the big name guys are often standing around at the back of the hall or out in the corridor or in a nearby room. As well, someone will usually organize at least one party - perhaps one every night of the conference where there are hours of opportunities.
I think at every conference I've been to, the attendees have been told how approachable these big name guys are - and it's true. Sure, you may not get to have a meal with some of them, but you should at least be able to have a decent chat.
Remember, these guys have products they want you to promote. It's in their interests to be friendly and approachable.
One way to increase your chances of being taken seriously is to sell their products. If Marlon see that he's sending you a check for $1,000 a month, I think you can guarantee that he'll be interested in meeting you
If you say some nice things about Paul Myers in your newsletter and tell everyone that his newsletter is a must-read, and send him a copy of what you said, perhaps he'll remember you too when you introduce yourself. It worked for me.
Some conferences are almost all sales pitches and some are genuine workshops where good stuff is taught. It's not always possible to tell the difference by reading the sales pitch. See if you can track down previous attendees for their opinion.
Allan Gardyne - AssociatePrograms.com
The Complete Site Build It! Reference Center...
This Link Directory May Change Your Affiliate Business
http://www.AssociatePrograms.com/search/reference-center.shtml |
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Charlie
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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 12:00 pm
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Blimey, you almost converted me there...
| AllanGardyne wrote: | | In my case, luck had absolutely nothing to do with. Joanna bowled up to the people concerned, told them how much we respected them, and made the arrangements |
I didn't think there was much luck involved, but I didn't realise the "direct" tactics you were using.
Scary stuff, but I can understand how effective that might be...
Does she have a set of photos to help her spot them in the crowd?
Guerilla tactics seem to be all the rage for mating and marketing, so why not grabbing people at conferences. I'm getting ideas, as I write, actually...
Scary stuff, as I said. 
| Quote: | | Ahhh, Mr Cautious. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I say. |
I'm not quite sure "cautious" is the right word. I've dared do quite a few things, even if I haven't always won. (Actually the real joke is "caring" as much as "daring", but that's another story.)
For me the challenge is making sure that people don't mistake forced extroversion for agression. Amazingly, they sometimes do.
(Someone once said that I had agressive eyes, even when smiling. Maybe I could get a tee-shirt done to help avoid the mixed signals.)
| Quote: | | It's surprisingly easy to meet big name marketers at marketing conferences, whether you're made a reputation for yourself, or not. |
Actually, some of the conferences I hear about (though I don't actively look) seem to feature "individuals" that I would have to be paid to meet, not the other round. I've learnt quite enough about them from watching what they do, if you see what I mean.
Perhaps the people I'd be more interested in meeting are just attendees, too.
| Quote: | | a surprisingly large percentage of people who attend Internet marketing conferences appear to be like me in public - shy. When the frequent breaks occur, instead of making the most of their opportunities, they stay rooted to their seats or merely chat with the person they came with. |
I can believe it with the British, but I thought the Americans and Australians might be different. Perhaps these conferences aren't as bad as I thought...
| Quote: | | Perhaps Internet marketing attracts an overly large percentage of introverts. |
I haven't met enough people to constitute a significant sample, so I'm not sure whether I agree or not. 
| Quote: | | Many conferences are spread over two or three days, so there are LOTS of short breaks, mid-morning breaks, lunch breaks, mid-afternoon breaks etc during which the big name guys are often standing around at the back of the hall or out in the corridor or in a nearby room. |
There's nothing for it, I'm going to have to marry an extrovert myself. Did I mention guerilla tactics already?
| Quote: | | I think at every conference I've been to, the attendees have been told how approachable these big name guys are - and it's true. Sure, you may not get to have a meal with some of them, but you should at least be able to have a decent chat. |
Someone (yes, her again) once told me that I either said nothing, or interrogated like it was going out of fashion. (I reassured her it never would, even if fashions changed.)
| Quote: | | Remember, these guys have products they want you to promote. It's in their interests to be friendly and approachable. |
From my experience, many marketers are overly defensive and egoistic. (Don't tell me... think "what's in it for them".) I realise we all appreciate dfifferent qualities in people, but my "directness" doesn't always go down as well as I'd like. (I'm certainly not brash, just selective with tact.)
As I'm said in the past, I think I'd make a better soldier than a diplomat. If I put that on a tee-shirt, do you think it would help or hinder?
| Quote: | | One way to increase your chances of being taken seriously is to sell their products. If Marlon see that he's sending you a check for $1,000 a month, I think you can guarantee that he'll be interested in meeting you |
I think we're back where we started here. That's the sort of "luck" I was suggesting you had when it came to meal invitations...
My approach, has always been more challenging what they do, and why they do it the way they do it. I would have thought people would appreciate the shake up, but they don't. I just don't get it... they can't see my eyes via email, and I include those smiley icon thingies.
| Quote: | | If you say some nice things about Paul Myers in your newsletter and tell everyone that his newsletter is a must-read, and send him a copy of what you said, perhaps he'll remember you too when you introduce yourself. It worked for me. |
I've said some nice things about Paul in your forum, so maybe that will help. He has been known to lurk.
| Quote: | | Some conferences are almost all sales pitches and some are genuine workshops where good stuff is taught. It's not always possible to tell the difference by reading the sales pitch. See if you can track down previous attendees for their opinion. |
OK. That's enough preselling for one day...
I've got the testimonials done from last year. When shall we announce next year's?
Have fun,
Charlie.
_________________
"Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx |
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