subject: Live Social Networking...Are Live Events Worth the Price? by:David Preston [print this page] There are many ways to launch your career in marketing. Affiliate sales, list building, free give away events, public relations firms and the list goes on and on.
It seems that just about everybody is looking for that "magic bullet" that will launch their business into the stratosphere. Is there such a thing?
Not all of the top marketers today will list this as the first or primary thing that really got them launched, but nearly all of them, if you dig deep enough, will at least give some credit to their first live event being critical to reaching a sustained level of success. Some will tell you right on their web pages, as one of the first things that you really must do. Willie Crawford, Ross Goldberg, Jeff Wellman, John Reese, and the list goes on.
These people are quick to tell you that even though they experienced spurts of success on their own, it was really their attendance at a LIVE EVENT that both inspired them, and gave them vision for where they were going, as well as making Joint Venture deals that enriched them and their following. They will tell you that attendance at a live event played a critical part in their success. They will also tell you that you won't know that for sure, until you actually attend one.
As Willie Crawford put it, in an article he wrote recently "sometimes we just don't know what we don't know... and that we are perfectly happy not knowing what we are missing out on ... until we know." And then he followed, in the same article, with "One of the things that I didn't know back then was the power of networking, doing joint ventures with others, and attending live events where you actually get a feel for who you really want to form business relationships with."
Live events! If you do it correctly, live events are by far the weapon of choice for many struggling marketers.
Just one connection at these events can put your business far past what you could ever acheive on your own with years of work. Those speaking at the events already have the list, the connections and the clout to put you on the map fast!
Yet, how do you select the event you that will provide that Jolt to your business? Selection of the proper event is key, and I am going to give you guidance on not only how to select the right event, but also how to prepare for that event to ensure you will get the absolute most out of it.
Selection of the live event that you want to attend is pretty common sense. Choose one that you can afford to go to, that is held by someone trustworthy. Someone that you believe is holding the event, not just to give a pitch-fest and make a bunch of money, but with the intent that the people at the event will really gain some huge benefit. Also, pick one that will have some scheduled fun, so you look forward to it. Getting to network with people in a less-structured setting lets you really get a feel for people.
Choosing an event location where there is lots to do before and after the event is not a bad idea, either, and perhaps hang around for a day or so after the event and just enjoy the surroundings.
There is no better networker out there than Willie Crawford himself. He is known in Internet Marketing Circles as the most trusted name on the internet. Just watch this man in action at a live event. He will get around to every person in the room, meet them, find out what they do, and he will remember them. Often, people that attended the event will get a follow-up from Willie, in the form of a greeting card, that tells them he enjoyed meeting them, and looks forward to seeing them again. The amount of details that he remembers for each individual he meets is uncanny.
The next biggest question in the mind of the up-and-coming marketer could well be, "How do I get the most out of a live event?"
To truly take advantage of a live event show up prepared. In other words, have a deal already set up for you or your product that makes it a real no-brainer to bring some of the big guns onboard with you. Make it easy to say yes and make it as "pushbutton" friendly as you can to distribute your product.
Sit down and figure it out beforehand. If you can show up with that taken care of, you're light years ahead of all the others clamoring for attention. I've launched many of my top-selling products using this exact strategy.
So in a word, yes! Live Events are well worth the price if you're ready.
About the author
David Preston, "The Legendary Consultant" is a "much sought-after" speaker, author, consultant, joint venture broker, and product launch specialist. He has partnered or consulted with many of today's top industry giants, such as Willie Crawford, Robert Puddy, Frank Garon, and too many others to list. hosts: http://MyGiftForAfriend.com
