Why you MUST Attend Live Events

[Jack Bastide]

Hey Guys,

The Marketing business is a RELATIONSHIP
business

If you want to advance your career you
MUST Attend Live Events

People do business with people they
like and Trust

I went to Micheal Penland's Event in
Orlando yesterday .. going back Sunday

I sat down next to Ross Goldberg

I had dinner with Legendary copywriter
Joseph Sugarman (of Blu Blocker fame)

to me hes just "Joe"

Matt Bacak, Frank Garon and several
other "Marquee Name" Marketers were
at our table

I sang Karaoke with Willie Crawford

I even sung a Duet with Michael Penland's
lovely Wife (we did the Elton John and Kiki
Dee thing)

I also made friends with a lot of Up
and Coming marketers

I had a blast and met some great people

If you want to make the connections that
can bring your business to the next level you
NEED to get away from your damn computer
and get to a Live Event

But heres the key thing ...

DO NOT look at someone as a "JV"

look at them as a person

the rest will come

Jack Bastide

[Kristian]

I have to agree with this. I've developed many strong business relationships by attending events.

[MaskedMarketer]

Jack,

This is true and attending a live event can only move your business forward.

Networking is no secret of the successful, so I see why its so important to attend an event. Many other niches other than the 'IM' crowd have live events for networking. Leveraging the power of your network can make you millions if done correctly.

[Stephen Dillon]

Jack,

While you are correct that live events and relationship building are important in moving your business to the next level. It has to be done at the right stage of your business to be maximized.

I believe you need to be at the point in your business that you have a clear plan and a specific area of interest.

It is also useful if you have product or a specific product idea to approach people with.

Stephen

[ramkarthik]

I have always wished to attend live events and other meet-ups. But sadly I cannot come across see every time I want to attend. Living in India and being a student, it isn't really easy to attend these events, believe me. But I do have plans to do my masters course in robotics (probably) in US. Maybe I can attend that time.

[Brad Spencer]

Jack,

I can't applaud you enough for saying this. I love attending events and meeting people. Everything in business is relationships and it's great to see people out of their element and just having fun.

It's a blast to hang out, meet people, and develop lifelong friendships (note I said friendships not just business relationships) and build connections.

Going to a live event was what solidified my business plan and helped me start taking action. I've not looked back since!

Cheers,


Brad Spencer

[Ross Goldberg]

Bravo to you Jack.

Stepping out there and going to events made my business. Without events, I'd still be stumbling along slowly.

Instead, I've met dozens of millionaires and become friends with many of them.

When going to events, you have to have goals in mind and an action plan to get things rolling. Sitting in the corner or being a wallflower won't do anything for you.

I'm having a blast here in Orlando and wish more of you were here ;-)

[Jack Bastide]

Originally Posted by Brad Spencer

Jack,

I can't applaud you enough for saying this. I love attending events and meeting people. Everything in business is relationships and it's great to see people out of their element and just having fun.

It's a blast to hang out, meet people, and develop lifelong friendships (note I said friendships not just business relationships) and build connections.

Going to a live event was what solidified my business plan and helped me start taking action. I've not looked back since!

Cheers,


Brad Spencer

Hey Brad

Your facebook link isn't working

BTW I am in Kissimmee .. right up the road from you

Jack

[Steven Wagenheim]

Jack, probably the most important piece of advice anybody can give
anybody else.

If I wasn't stuck in this damn house I'd be visiting all you guys (and gals)

Just don't tell my wife about the gals.

[Paul Gram]

There are many people who are very successful who don't attend events. While events are good, I think far too many people limit themselves to IM events. You can do sooooo much better attending other business/industry events.

[ChrisFord]

I agree that attending events is very important from a relationship building point of view and we attend a number of events each year with just that intention. We also usually walk out with a couple of new ideas.

However, I think that new people need to understand what most events are about - i.e. back to back pitches - and make sure they understand what they are trying to achieve before they go to an event. Otherwise they will walk out with an armful of packs that are pulling them in different directions.

We just talked about this on our blog What is wrong with the internet marketing industry.

Cheers.

[jhongren]

Hi,

Attending live events is important to meet people. Personally I would love to know and understand the people better, especially we have been conversing online all these whiles.

I am glad I had met some really wonderful people offline and our relationship has grown ever since. It makes it easier for us to JV especially if we know one another by face.

My 2 cents,
John

[Chris_Willow]

Damit, too bad no such things happen in my part of the world.
At least from internet marketing perspective...

Got to move to US/UK some day

Chris

[Mike McBride]

If you want to advance your career you
MUST Attend Live Events

Tell that to all the people who are doing just fine, thank you, without ever attending an event.

Some of us have all the business we want or need to satisfy our lifestyle without ever having to go to these things. In fact, that's the reason some of us are doing business this way - so we DON'T have to go and "mingle" at these often thinly-disguised pitchfests.

[Michael Forey]

How do you find out about these events? Who's mailing list should you be on?

Thanks
Michael

[Don Schenk]

Jack,

How do we convince those putting on an event to let people know the dates several months in advance instead of 3 weeks before the event?

Or better still, how can we learn about the events months in advance so we can plan?

Event planners must work out the details with the hotel 6 months or more in advance, so why can't they begin to promote it earlier than 3 weeks?

Yes, I realize the event planners see most registrations for their event come in at the last minute, therefore doing heavy promotion just prior to the event makes sense, but why not let the dates be known to potential attendees months in advance?

Don

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by Paul Gram

There are many people who are very successful who don't attend events. While events are good, I think far too many people limit themselves to IM events. You can do sooooo much better attending other business/industry events.

I dont think anyone is saying you can't be successful when not attenting an event or networking, but it can def. jump start some businesses out there. I also agree, many events are out there, not just "IM". I would go to any all types of business/entreprenuer events. You never know who you'll meet.

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by Mike McBride

Tell that to all the people who are doing just fine, thank you, without ever attending an event.

Some of us have all the business we want or need to satisfy our lifestyle without ever having to go to these things. In fact, that's the reason some of us are doing business this way - so we DON'T have to go and "mingle" at these often thinly-disguised pitchfests.

You can have a very successul business with out going to a live event. But a lot of businesses depend on networking (which is what live event should be for) like affiliates, jv, and other types of partners.

And remember, "IM" is not the only event you can attend to network with others. You may not need it, but surely you could benefit by expanding your network of business partners, no? Thats why I would go to a live event- is to learn- and network.

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by Jack Bastide

If you want to make the connections that
can bring your business to the next level you
NEED to get away from your damn computer
and get to a Live Event

But heres the key thing ...

DO NOT look at someone as a "JV"

look at them as a person

the rest will come

Jack Bastide

You say this like you think we're all sat at home all the time.

Some of us DO get out and meet others, and don't have 'JV target' as the label for others.

I know you're just sharing your excitement after the day you had - but it's a little condescending to assume that the rest of us are hermits.

I love meeting other people and have already met a bunch of IMers since I've been in Singapore and are encouraging them to do more of the same.

Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm, but be aware that many of us already understand what you're saying and have been doing it for years.

I'd love to see the video of Willie singing karaoke.

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm, but be aware that many of us already understand what you're saying and have been doing it for years.

I'd love to see the video of Willie singing karaoke.

I'd say more people don't go to networking events than do. So I think he has a good point. If you've been going to events the past 10-20 years you'll think its basic.

Remember, the majority of the WF probably hasn't been to an event and those are the pepole hes speaking to.

[Justin Mandel]

I don't think Jack meant for anyone to take this personally Andy.

There are (obviously) IM'ers here who have not yet done something of this sort...yet.

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

I know you're just sharing your excitement after the day you had - but it's a little condescending to assume that the rest of us are hermits.

[Andyhenry]

Originally Posted by MaskedMarketer

I'd say more people don't go to networking events than do. So I think he has a good point. If you've been going to events the past 10-20 years you'll think its basic.

Remember, the majority of the WF probably hasn't been to an event and those are the pepole hes speaking to.

I accept that - I've advocated it myself.

Just making the point that we're not all hopeless losers who stay at home and don't go out to events.

I think many people hear seem to think that the forum is completely full of newbies who need educating on the basics of having a life and making money.

[mariochase]

I would definetly want to go to some of this live events on the future.

Right now I can't mostly because I live in Brazil, and there a lot of things that don't allow me to go yet.

Next year.. I could be attending some events.. because I will be in LA anyway. Going to build a name for myself anyway in the internet marketing scenario first.

[logosi]

In a much more personal way, this is why social media marketing works. People enjoy interacting with one another. Being in IM can be a lonely pursuit at times, I live in the country, and there are days I don't see anyone except the mailman (and only if I'm looking).

Live events for me are not only a way to meet people (pursue potential JVs), but also a way to leave the keyboard behind (well, I usually take my laptop) and see that cyber space is made up of "flesh and blood" people.

[Scott Lundergan]

Originally Posted by Don Schenk

Jack,

How do we convince those putting on an event to let people know the dates several months in advance instead of 3 weeks before the event?

Or better still, how can we learn about the events months in advance so we can plan?

Event planners must work out the details with the hotel 6 months or more in advance, so why can't they begin to promote it earlier than 3 weeks?

Yes, I realize the event planners see most registrations for their event come in at the last minute, therefore doing heavy promotion just prior to the event makes sense, but why not let the dates be known to potential attendees months in advance?

Don

That's a very good point. My schedule is chalked full of projects/events. Our local GKIC chapter publishes our dates/times months in advance now. I have worked with meeting planners for years and the events where corporate companies come in can be down to the last week of planning without worrying about much, but if someone is going to be on a budget with the amount of sales they make....most plan that out way in advance, so I'm always curious why the email gets sent out 3 weeks in advance.

Dan Kennedy sends his out like 4 months in advance and has a campaign up to SOLD OUT. In fact, they even have the EXACT swipe file of all aspects of the campaign in the members' back office

Jack is spot on about the JV part. Even I don't look at "JV's" as "JV's".....rather just telling my friends and clients, "Hey dude, check this out." or "Hey mate, check this out" (if they are across the pond Seems to work just fine with "celebrity marketers" that I just consider friends and partners, but that's why it works...they are actual friends and partners...not some target to get a deal with.

[Mike McBride]

I dont think anyone is saying you can't be successful when not attenting an event or networking, but it can def. jump start some businesses out there.

Oh? Then when Jack wrote,

If you want to advance your career you
MUST Attend Live Events

he didn't mean you MUST attend live events? He meant there are other ways?

Look, I'd have no problem if he, as Andy alluded to, simply shared his excitement about attending an event. I wouldn't have a problem if he said that attending an event is a great way to meet successful marketers, make connections and perhaps advance your career. But whenever anyone says one MUST do this or that, it raises a red flag for me.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, and what's right for Jack is not necessarily right for everyone. I just don't want folks to think they're doomed to mediocrity - or worse - if they DON'T go to events.

[MaskedMarketer]

I wrote : I dont think anyone is saying you can't be successful when not attenting an event or networking, but it can def. jump start some businesses out there

I didn't say in order to be successful you MUST attend a live event.

Jack did not say in order to be successful you MUST attend a live event.

He said if you want to advance your career in IM you MUST attend a live event. While you don't HAVE to attent to advance your career, if you do attend you CAN advance your career ALOT. Networking is very, very powerful. I think everyone will agree with that.

I don't want anyone to think they can't be successful with out attending an event, but if you're already successful and haven't attentend an event, I think that person would have a lot to gain.

Maybe he didnt word it right for you and I understand you are picking apart his post, but if you can take it generally, it is very good advice to tell someone to attend an event to network with individuals.

Originally Posted by Mike McBride

Oh? Then when Jack wrote,

he didn't mean you MUST attend live events? He meant there are other ways?

Look, I'd have no problem if he, as Andy alluded to, simply shared his excitement about attending an event. I wouldn't have a problem if he said that attending an event is a great way to meet successful marketers, make connections and perhaps advance your career. But whenever anyone says one MUST do this or that, it raises a red flag for me.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, and what's right for Jack is not necessarily right for everyone. I just don't want folks to think they're doomed to mediocrity - or worse - if they DON'T go to events.

[Prevalent]

I have asked this before....now I ask it again....

Where the heck do you find out about these events?

Aside from events.....where the heck do you find other people doing business online???

Is there some sort of list, board, announcement, mental telepathy broadcast? I have never met one person who knows anything at all about IM.

I have still never had a clear answer to either question.

Daniel

[CaptainLou]

Over the past few years, I've turned my 6-figure biz into a 7 figure-biz (that's gross, not net) manly because of attending live events.

It started with meeting and hanging out with Cory Rudl & Declan Dunn at Affiliate force in Miami in 2000, continued with a free ticket that I won to Armand Morin's first Big Seminar in Jan. of '03, and then finally taking everyone's advice and taking ACTION on all I was learning...in May of '05.

That's when I started going from zero to hero, automating sales processes and scaling up new marketing models that attracted the top gurus (in several niches) to want to JV with ME!

All because I decided to show up and cultivate relationships in person.

These days I can make more money sitting home watching the new orders roll in, but I realize that "Out of sight, out of mind", so I drag myself to several live events each year (including the big annual marketers cruise) and press the flesh to remind people I'm alive.

Not saying this is the ONLY way to skin the internet cat. Just what's worked for ME.

Lou

[MaskedMarketer]

Congratulations on your success story, CaptainLou.

Leverage can make you rich.

Networking can cause leverage.

By attending events you can network and leverage your business. Its really that simple.

[Daniel E Taylor]

"Marketing is a relationship business"

Funny I thought it was a marketing business...

I see where you are going with this, but like someone else
mentioned when you say "MUST", you automatically open
yourself up to arguement from the people who didn't do
the thing "you must" do.

I've never been to a live event... But I network with millionaires,
successful business ppl, etc...

Don't think you have to pay $1,000's in order to do that.

I guess it's good if you're not making much money and
you are selling marketing courses and you need people with
big lists to help you sell your variations of "how to make money online" courses,
it can be a "must".


And just a warning to anyone who thinks they can't advance
significantly in IM without attending a seminar. Yea right. LOL.

Daniel

[Sarah Harvey]

I will begin with...

"Why I mustn't attend events" and the benefits:

1) More money in my pocket
2) Less crap to deal with
3) I do not have to listen to people's bull****.

Great! ^__^

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by Daniel E Taylor

I've never been to a live event... But I network with millionaires,
successful business ppl, etc...

Don't think you have to pay $1,000's in order to do that.

I guess it's good if you're not making much money and
you are selling marketing courses and you need people with
big lists to help you sell your variations of "how to make money online" courses,
it can be a "must"
Daniel

Everyone has been hitting him hard for this. He should have used MIGHT.

Can we see past that yet?Live events are good for networking because you have a group of like minded people that can become potential business partners.

Not everyone could have access to people like this and might have to spend $1,000s to have access.I have access to millionaires and billionaires, but I would still attend a live event because I might need it for a different reason. If someone is business minded/entrepreneur, then we might be able to profit together. Thats how I see it.

Events are good for people making money and not making money, so it really doesn't matter. A live event can take your business to the next level if you go to a good event and know how to network.

If you're going to a crappy event and don't plan on networking, then I wouldn't recommend it as it could be a waste of money and time.

Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey

I will begin with...

"Why I mustn't attend events" and the benefits:

1) More money in my pocket
2) Less crap to deal with
3) I do not have to listen to people's bull****.

Great! ^__^

Depends on the live event your speaking about. You could be losing out on money and valuable information at the right event.

Do you think Live events are not good for networking?

Or do you think networking is not a powerful way to expand a business?

Poweful JV deals have been made at live events.

And lots of money has been made from networking.

[Solidsnake]

It's a big motivation to attend live events...

[Tsnyder]

It's hard to imagine that the word "MUST" would create so
many grumpy folks.. must be early in the A.M... lol

Jack is obviously enthusiastic about a recent experience.
Would it be so hard for those who feel they don't need to
share that experience to just pass on by without resorting
to some really very trivial nitpicking?

MUST we really get so caught up in self importance that we
feel the need to criticize someone for their enthusiasm?

If Jack's message isn't "speaking to you" just let it go...

Good job, Jack!

Tsnyder

[B3n]

Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey

1) More money in my pocket

Perhaps, or perhaps not.

My first seminar cost me just less than £300 for tickets, travel and accomodation, plus about £100 for beers.

I was wary of attending but it turned out to be absolutely superb and three days of excellent content, big pitches and lots of drinking and networking. After this excellent experience, I make sure to attend at least one event a year.

Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey

2) Less crap to deal with

Not sure what you mean by this but the only crap I've ever had to deal with is avoiding the "numpties" who also attend. There's always a complete cretin that you'll want to avoid. You'll soon work out who they are and move to the other side of the room when they approach you.

Originally Posted by Sarah Harvey

3) I do not have to listen to people's bull****

Is this not the same as 2?

Anyway, maybe you are talking about sales pitches? I've never been to a seminar that did not allow speakers to sell at the end. Also, I've never bought anything at the back of the room. I'm probably a seminar organiser's worst nightmare - the sarcastic skinflint who sits at the back and concentrates on the content but never puts his hand in his pocket.

I find sales pitches to be entertaining and look forward to them. If they make sense to you and your present situation - buy them. If not, ignore and look forward to the next speaker.

In all seriousness - please don't form opinions of seminars before you have attended one. Go with an open mind and I would imagine you'll be pleasantly suprised - I certainly was!

[MaskedMarketer]

Originally Posted by .Ben.

In all seriousness - please don't form opinions of seminars before you have attended one. Go with an open mind and I would imagine you'll be pleasantly suprised - I certainly was!

Seminars are a great business model! Any infoprenuer wanting to expand there business can consider doing seminars.

The company i work with sells packages up to 35k+. Yup they're profitable.

[Daniel E Taylor]

Originally Posted by Tsnyder

It's hard to imagine that the word "MUST" would create so
many grumpy folks.. must be early in the A.M... lol

Jack is obviously enthusiastic about a recent experience.
Would it be so hard for those who feel they don't need to
share that experience to just pass on by without resorting
to some really very trivial nitpicking?

MUST we really get so caught up in self importance that we
feel the need to criticize someone for their enthusiasm?

If Jack's message isn't "speaking to you" just let it go...

Good job, Jack!

Tsnyder

Last I checked this was a "discussion forum", everyone doesn't
have to agree with everything. thats the point of a discussion.

You say why does the word "Must" strike a cord with some of us.

Well there are newbies who are struggling by the droves who look
to this forum for advice and help. And they may interpret this as
if they don't go to an event they will continue to fail.

That isn't true.

that's why in discussions it's good to get both sides of the fence.

Why should I "Keep my opinion to myself" because it doesn't
agree with the OP or some other posters in this forum.

If thats the case you need to keep your opinion to yourself
as well as the OP.

Just my opinion

Daniel

[Tsnyder]

Originally Posted by Daniel E Taylor

Last I checked this was a "discussion forum", everyone doesn't
have to agree with everything. thats the point of a discussion.

You say why does the word "Must" strike a cord with some of us.

Well there are newbies who are struggling by the droves who look
to this forum for advice and help. And they may interpret this as
if they don't go to an event they will continue to fail.

That isn't true.

that's why in discussions it's good to get both sides of the fence.

Why should I "Keep my opinion to myself" because it doesn't
agree with the OP or some other posters in this forum.

If thats the case you need to keep your opinion to yourself
as well as the OP.

Just my opinion

Daniel

Daniel...

Like everyone else you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

My point is that we are sorta making a big deal over a post
in which a fellow Warrior simply expressed his enthusiasm over
an event he attended.

His enthusiasm kinda bled over into a little hype with the use
of the word "MUST" but I would say that any of those struggling
noobs who do not have the critical thinking skills to decide for
themselves if they MUST attend these events is not going far
anyway.

See the message for what it is... not really a very big deal, eh?

On another note... I used no contractions in this post because
every time I tried the cursor automatically shifted to the quick find
box. What is that about?

Tsnyder

[IMChick]

I'm glad the the OP had such a positive experience at his first IM seminar. It's nice to hear.

I'm thinking through why I would want to attend a several day seminar of fluff and commercial messages that takes me out of my office. I'm not enamored with the current IM ruling class and their many course offerings that I have purchased for this reason.

On the other hand, many of my best ideas and greatest friends have come from networking contacts in other fields.

I haven't jumped into the IM seminar circuit. It's not likely that I will at this point. It was good to hear of someone else's enthusiasm, though.

[mbacak]

Jack and Ross.

It was great seeing you at the event.

I enjoyed catching up.

Seems everyone got back safely.

I'm glad to here that.

You guys ROCK!

Matt Bacak

P.S. Ross. Check your Warrior email. :-)

[jhongren]

Originally Posted by mbacak

Jack and Ross.

It was great seeing you at the event.

I enjoyed catching up.

Seems everyone got back safely.

I'm glad to here that.

You guys ROCK!

Matt Bacak

P.S. Ross. Check your Warrior email. :-)

Hi Matt,

It is always good to see the real faces behind the avatar.

And having met people face-to-face, there is always a sense of closeness when we converse in the forums.

P.S: I love the videos you place on Youtube. =) Very useful for me.

Cheers,
John

[mbacak]

Thanks John! You ROCK! :-) Matt