… do any seminars, conferences, workshops etc?
Good question. 
The answer is simple.. I have a wife and two small children. I find it hard to attend seminars and leave them behind, so I prefer to stay at home instead. After all, that was why I started an Internet business from home ten years ago.
I was also very “put off” when I found out about the sales practices that go on at a lot of these seminars. In my naivete, I had though that the people who paid to get in covered the costs of paying the speakers and left some over for the conference host. But a lot of seminars seem to NOT pay the speakers, who then have to SELL stuff at the “back of the room” in order to make any money… which means their time on stage is devoted to selling their back of the room stuff and not to educating the audience. On top of that, the conference host takes a slice of their sales… as well as the ticket sales, presumably.
Call me old fashioned, but if I ever go to any seminars, they will be structured in such a way that the audience gets 100% info from the speakers and no sales pitches.
Will be difficult, it not impossible to attend a seminar these days where there are no sales pitches.
Though, it would be good to see you present a few information sessions here and there : )
I agree Neil. I’ve *been* one of those speakers, when I was just getting started, and it’s not a fun thing on either side of the stage.
If you’d ever like to do do an online audio-cast seminar, shoot me an email. I’ve got a wife and kids at home, too, and I’m done traveling! Viva la Internet!
- Dave
I don’t agree. I’ve been to quite a few seminars in the UK which have not been at all like that. Seminars put on by people such as Peter Twist, Gary Vurnum, Peter Woodhead and Bob Puddy.
It’s generally accepted that there will be a pitch in the last few minutes but that in itself is no bad thing. I’ve bought some items at amazing prices through this sort of deal.
And you’ve missed out the information exchange that takes place during the break and in the evenings. Anyone can learn a lot from having a cup of coffee with the likes of Phil Wiley.
Pearson
Hi Pearson,
Thanks for your thoughts.
Without being too stereotypical, I think we’re seeing the differences between UK marketing and US marketing. You said, “seminars in the UK”… and go on to mention Phil Wiley, who’s an ex-pat Brit. There’s a definite difference between the amount of selling I’d tolerate at a seminar, being British, and what I believe, in general, American’s would consider tolerable.
But you’re definitely right. Peter Twist and Robert Puddy’s seminars here in the UK I know are based on factual, “take it to the bank” information. I don’t know the other guys you mentioned very well.
Neil.
Hi Neil,
I don’t have your direct email address or I’d contact you directly, but if you can shoot me an email there is something very much related to this thread that you might be interested in chatting about.
Sorry to be so mysterious!
Martin
Neil,
This is so thrue!
I can’t believe that after paying 5 k for a seminar people don’t get angry when all they get is a “pitch-fest”.
But hey!
It’s ok, the important thing is networking, now THAT’s worth the 5k…right?
Neil,
I’m with you on this one, and Phil Gosling has a good story to tell along these lines, I just can’t find the url off hand.
Pearson – Phil wasn’t on the beer?
the best value I’ve found from attending seminars is the our of session chats and networking with other marketers, which brings me on to Martin..
Martin – I’m guessing you’re hinting at lunch…?