How do you approach GURUS in conferrences?

[QUOTE=VegasGreg;1899521]They usually prefer you walk up with your credit card out and ready to buy.

Thanks for the belly laugh this morning VegasGreg!

But really, I've found most to be friendly, and they don't mind a little hero worship, if you just introduce yourself, ask your question or make your comment, and leave!

Didn't realize that there was a guide for IM networking too. But a lot of great points there Robert. Overall a good read particularly the NOTS and the bit about smoking breaks.

You never realize how you get along on a fag break and that is followed by dinner in a chinese restaurant where the food arrives in hours and the starters are 'chocolate covered ants' and you end up back at the hotel bar till it closes. Great night eh.

Will try my Best to attend LFMpire. :-)

Hey Robert! I remember meeting you at Keith Wellman and Gary Ambrose' "Gateway to Wealth" event here in Dallas. I remember because I recognized your name, but I had never seen a picture of you before. So, when I introduced myself, and asked your name, you replied "Robert Puddy", to which I replied, "Robert Puddy... I recognize that name from somewhere...". Then you said "I should bloody well hope so! I've spent years building it!"

HAHAHA So great!

Keith Wellman and Gary Ambrose even treated me and my girlfriend to breakfast the Sunday of the event, and we all talked. I remember even bumping into one of the speakers at the Internet Marketing Party in Austin, who approached me, and gave me his card. Well, he had some air plane trouble, and ended up coming in late. Since Gary was on the stage at the time, Gary could not accept this speaker's call, so he called me, and I helped him get to the event!

I remember another time last summer at Yanik Silver's exclusive event when I was coming down to the main lobby of the hotel from my room, evening of check-in, and I saw a guy who looked remarkably like Mike Filsaime. Not wanting to look the fool to someone who didn't know IM "gurus", I didn't say anything. The next morning, I saw Mike Filsaime there attending the conference, so I mentioned it.
As you might have guessed, it was him! haha

I guess the bottom line is that if you honestly don't know who someone is that makes it easier, but even if you do, just realize that no-one outside the conference does, so think like a stranger, and just approach them the same way; if you take the mysticism away, they're just (insanely rich) normal people.

Hope this helps,

Ryne

Just walk up and talk to me ;-)
Will be at Master Marketing Event next week.
James Hickey Will Be Attending His 5th Carbon Copy Pro Master Marketing Event On March 31st 2010.

Is he human?

You put some marbles in a sock and whack them on the head, then drag them to a corner

I haven't met any "gurus" yet but I have spoken to celebrities a few times and in no way did I feel they were different, its that odd perception you get of hearing about them, it tends to put them in a different plane of existance, yet most of them are quite humble and just like to have any ol' chat with you.

I assume these "gurus" are much the same so, if you got anything worthwile to say to them, just walk up to them, introduce yourself and fire away.

I agree.

They probably messed up their own worlds, got chucked out and came to balls up ours.

And they're doing a grand job of it.

This depends 100% on your motives and level of self imposed importance on the meeting.

If you aren't in a muted stupor and don't really attach any importance to the outcome, then it's easy. Goes like this...

Hey, what's happening. Have you ever had your palm read....err wait wrong forum...

Hey, what's happening.. will you sign my laptop... wait no that's not it either...

let's make it simple.

hey, what's up?

Works dang near everytime...

As for me, I like to make a loud obnoxious entrance, yelling...

"The party has arrived!!! Wooooooooo... and go straight on past them to the bar "

Not as subtle, but certainly breaks the ice. I have yet to leave disappointed with that approach.

My last trip I believe it was...

" holy ***, it's (first name) mother f***in (last name) " couple with lots of pointing and wide eyed amazement....was good for a few cheap laughs.

Now that might seem a bit outside your comfort zone. That's probably very true. The takeaway is that you're not me, and probably shouldn't act like me either (nobody should really).

In other words, be yourself, be genuine, and have fun with it.

Fun and personal, always comes before business.

Most important and I've seen this at every event I've ever attended... don't be the creepy stalker.

Standing around on the wall, or immediately behind a circle of engaged people stalking for the "perfect" opportunity to introduce yourself is awkward and very noticeable. When you finally do approach you will be courteously acknowledged and then promptly dismissed.

Yes these things are about business, but it's a unique business in that we can afford to be a lot more loose, personal, and fun. You'll end up seeing 90% of the same people next time so if you don't get that big deal you were wishing and hoping for, it's no big thing.

It's much more important to build long lasting relationships and friendships because you'll be stuck with these same people for the next 5 years if you plan on sticking around the market.

After all, everyone knows the gurus are all in collusion, secretly only promoting each others stuff, and holding back the every day folks like you and me.

Seriously, be cool, have fun, make friends, then maybe talk business. Has worked great for me... I could show you my phone # list of "gurus" but nobody believes screenshots anymore anyway.

If you need anymore help than that I charge $2,000 per arranged meeting...and occasionally accept cheap beers for services rendered instead.

Hmmm. You have a point... I'll remember that one.

Note to self: Keep interaction brief and professional. Do not... repeat... do NOT socialise with them. They may be human. Normal they're not.

They are all professional.

You're Doyle and I'll be Body.

I agree with Mark. There is No real reason to approach a so-called "guru" unless you wish to purchase a product from him. Most so-called "gurus" I've met at seminars are not there to socialize, unless it's with other rich gurus with whom that have past partnerships with.

However, with that said, a few might even appreciate you wanting to meet them personally. Most successful Internet Marketers usally hide behind their computers for many weeks or months and some might welcome some type of social interaction from their fans.

Happy Trails!

Thats absolute total BS...

Selling stuff at an event is a very inefficiant way to sell anything. they could 100 times more staying at home and sending emails. or getting other partners to mail for them.

Selling at an event is done for 2 reasons...

First off its about covering the cost of putting one on in the first place, yes the promotor of the event wants to make a profit, but they wont get super rich off them. the costs are high and profit is low

Second reason is the speakers dont get paid at all and selling a product at the end means they get their expenses paid, if they dont sell anything at all their out of pocket

they know that and come becuase just like you they want to meet other marketers and be able to sit down and talk with people who are in the same business.

And it helps keep them in the spotlight, it also allows them to keep an eye on the pulse of the industry.

if you think 90% of the speakers at seminars do it for the money your an idiot...

Jeez that kind of attitude gets up my nose. I have seen Mike filsaime up in the bar till 3am just talking and answering questions to attendees. And I have seen John Reese squeezed into a smaller and smaller space as the crowd around trys to tget closer to hear what hes saying, and he was literally being pushed along the wall trying to get some space

Neither of them complained or bitched.

There are always exceptions, but I have yet to find a speaker who didnt want to deliver his presentation then get off stage pull his tie off and go and hang out in the bar with everyon

On the marketers cruise I saw matt Bacak sit down for over an hour giving someone advice, just because the guy was sat on his own with no one else sat with him

They put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else and social gatherings they like to unwind and socialise with whoever is there, just dont treat them any different from the other attendess and you can get a whole lot out of them

Come at them with an attitude and your going to get told to go away in short sharp jerky movements

Robert

Good points!

I've met a few, spoken to fewer, and am still nervous (even terrified)
of approaching them.

What works (for me) is to become someone THEY have heard about or recognize
- so that when they meet you, there's an IMPRESSION you make on them.

I still remember how, at Stephen Pierce's event in Detroit many years ago,
I was part of a group of three people listening to Stephen explain something,
when this guy butted in rudely, handed Stephen a one-dollar bill along with a
copy of a DVD he was selling, said it was to thank him for providing value,
then turned to us and advised us to listen carefully to this guy because
he's a genius... then turned back and walked away!

Maybe he thought that "startling" approach would be a hit. Well, Stephen
turned to us with a quizzical expression, and asked "Now, what was THAT
about?" - and after our discussion, he dropped the DVD into the trash can!

Be polite. Be purposeful. But also try to be recognized.

My 2 cents!

All success
Dr.Mani

Even better one: Hey, my name is 'soandso', who are you?

I usually show up in a trench coat and flash them.

Or you could just walk up to them and say, "Hey, I like your (newsletter, product, website, etc)"

I guess, first, I would need to know who are the real gurus? Ok, I'm aware of the Kult of Frank Kern. But I could use a list.

I mean, I would hate to go to a conference, get pumped into a state of IM euphoria and then accidentally approach a nobody, like a caterer or janitor.

But then again, sometimes they have the best advice.

Especially if you're heavy.