Do Big Names Attract You To Events?

I can tell you from complete experience (I'm the emcee for many of these events in Atlanta) that the bigger the name, the bigger the crowd. Also.. who hosts the event is also a draw for people.

There's also a matter of pre-launching the event. Showing who the speakers are, the topic for the event (or the main theme), and videos of the speakers. Just show the quality people you have and the quality of their content and that should draw in the masses.

If you could get at least 2 top name speakers, you'll have a crowd. You also have to schedule them at the right time too. That's vital. It keeps people interested and in attendance.

You should also get an emcee to keep the crowd's energy level high. There's nothing duller than an Elmer Fudd on the stage introducing people.

Seminars are kind of like movies -- people will go based on the big names.

For example, when I see Meryl Streep listed as the leading actor in a new movie, I'm tempted to go see that movie... even if I have no idea what the movie is about. That's because her performance alone is what makes many movies great. Having her appear in a movie virtually guarantees it's going to be a good one.

Same with seminars. The big name boosts attendance. Not only do you know the big name will deliver, but you also know that he or she would NOT be part of a poor event. So having a "big name" speaker is like a stamp of approval from that person. And that bit of social proof helps.

IMO,
Becky

Great feedback - thanks Devon and Becky. Okay, now on to the next question for anyone who'd care to chime in: WHO are the big names you'd like to see at an Internet marketing seminar?

I'd be more interested in the seminar's agenda than in specific speakers. Having said that, here's my short list:

Jimmy D. Brown
Paul Myers

The long list is too long to mention names, but it would include a lot of regulars from here. I'd actually be more interested in seeing people I know from the WF than a bunch of "names" that wouldn't give me the time of day if I wasn't paying them for it.

Edit: How could I forget Allen Says? It must be the low profile he keeps. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks Dennis. Actually you've given me a big clue as to what you don't want to see at an event:

I think that by far the best reason to attend one of these usually high priced events is for the networking opportunities. Chances are no speaker is going to reveal some new secret that's going to make you a billionaire, but you might meet someone who will.

That said, it'd be hard to justify the usually high price tag for these events WITHOUT having a famous speaker.

Whilst *I* might be interested in going solely for networking, I think *most* people go to see or meet a well known speaker.

While I think the answer is definitely yes (people will attend more if there's big names), for me....it doesn't impress me one teeny bit. The REAL folks to see are people like Kurt, the ones who stay behind the scenes and quietly devise things that actually work.

People alas are quite often sheeple instead. I prefer to follow those who have no ulterior motive to scream about their brilliance.

I think it depends who they are.

For example - If you had Allen Says, Paul Myers, Kurt Melvin and some other warriors who I respect - I'd be there in a heartbeat.

If you had big names who I know are there to sell their stuff - I'm not interested.

I'm sure a lot of people would turn up if you mentioned Frank Kern was speaking or some of the other IM big names, but for me it's more about what they're likely to bring to the table than who they are.

I KNOW I can learn from the people I mentioned, whereas I usually don't go to IM seminars to hear what the speakers are saying - but to meet the people and chat with friends that are there (either speaking, arranging or attending).

It probably depends on who you're targeting and how the speakers specialities related to that too. For example, if you had people interested in creating and running membership sites, there are certain experts who have a lot to share.

There's also the element of - whether you want more bums on seats and less focus or fewer people but more focus.

I've seen a lot of events where the sole focus was get as many people into the room as possible and sell as wide a range of things to them as possible.

Some people want newbies with money who will buy anything and others are trying to help a particular group of people and want to pre-qualify them in order to know the fit is right.

So there are many elements to consider - I hope you get the results you want and people love what you're doing because it can be a great experience attending seminars in many ways.

Andy

The names got me in the door to one, specifically Ewen Chia here in Auckland. What ever ones opinion, he's well known and successful at what he does. I've learned that I tend to absorb more from their manner than just the pure facts, the whole package makes a big difference. Yep, stars are crowd pleasers, and seminars are great for learning that you're not alone at the laptop trying to make it work.

Thanks for the great feedback. I'm in the process of planning the event so any further thoughts are welcome. We have the ability to bring in some big names, but I certainly don't want anyone who can't back up their presentations with real results in the real (or should I say virtual/Internet world).

Anna,
I guess to me it all comes down to which came first, the chicken or the egg.

Is it that the events with the bigger names get more of YOUR list to come or is it the bigger name folks end up bringing in more from THEIR followers?

With that switch in thinking, I would look less to who would get me off my butt to attend and look at who has more 'followers' in your neck of the woods that would want to see them.

Good luck and this sounds like it is going to be great!!

-Scott

That is very true. One thing I'll say now is that I've been to enough events to know that ours is going to be different. Basically, our aim is to put on the kind of event that people don't want to end and will remember long after as a life changing experience. That may be a tall order but hey, you reach for the stars and you just may end up on the moon.

Absolutely NOT. In fact, there are events that I would specifically avoid based on the names at the top of the bill.

Besides, the "names" I listen to are IMPORTANT ones, not "big" or highly publicized ones. I've learned MUCH more valuable and helpful information for my business from relatively unknowns than from some of the "big names" (unless, of course, you count learning what NOT to do from some of the big names).

The content, not the names, would draw me to an event.

Although im new to the forum i have attended some seminars along the years. I was always drawn to a seminar by two things:

1) Big name gurus actually talking at the seminar

2) Mystery

What i mean by Mystery is when you know the subject of discussion but there are certain things that have been concealed from the original announcement of the seminar and only some clues have been given.

I mean people dont want to go to a seminar that looks exactly like the previous 1,000,000 seminars that he/she saw being advertised. There needs to be some kind of mystery, something hidden and only clues given in the original advertisment so that everyone really looks forward to it.

What could that be? Maybe a New Method or a Secret Formula..

To sum up, i think more important is the way you promote it.. Make it Special..

Adding a Big Name is definetely going to make it a hit..