I’m just back from speaking at another live event.
And I’m noticing a significant trend…
Conference producers who have all the right intentions but not the right turnout (aka not enough people show up.)
So what’s going on with that? Live events are probably one of the most significant ways to get access to the right education to turn your business around. But over and over again I find that it’s hard to get people to show up? Its not that we have a decline in entrepreneurs starting businesses as that is actually growing. And I watch the people in the room having these huge breakthroughs so I know being there works.
Here are some of the things I saw happen for people at that event:
- Learned about a strategy, tool or new way of thinking to get better results
- Made new contacts with people who can really help make things happen
- Eliminated feelings of isolation and replaced with new friendships and mentors
- Transcended the “online networking” with tools like Facebook and Twitter to having real connections with real people who actually get you and want to do business with you
- Discovered how other people are making their business successful and short cut your own path
- Tapped into the synergy and “mastermind energy” of a group and get a million dollar idea (this happened to me this weekend)
- Socialized outside of the event so that the “getting to know” part could be more real (hence, connections that survive beyond the biz card exchange.)
I can probably make a list a mile long of the benefits of live events. So what keeps people from accessing this kind of resource? I’d love to hear your thoughts…
- Is it too many choices for what to invest your time and money in?
- Not clear from the event materials why you should come?
- Afraid to spend the money to travel?
What could possibly keep you from attending an event in person with all these possibilities? Anyway, I’m on a bit of a rant but I am curious and would love to hear your input. No matter how hard we all try to make online learning and networking a valuable tool, there just is no way to replace what can happen in person.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts by commenting on the blog…I’ll post mine after I hear from you…
Antonia Teixeira Says:
June 24th, 2008 at 3:40 pmVisit Antonia Teixeira
Hi Coach Mel!
I would absolutely love to attend live events. I take care of my 10-year-old nephew who has Asperger’s, who absolutely can’t stand it when I’m not around to be his social guide, and my mom who is post a hemorrhagic stroke. I don’t have anyone to stand in my shoes to take care of them, so for now I am foregoing event attending, at least until my 10-year-old is a little older and can cope better without me.
However, if there were an event in the Boston area, I would do everthing within my power to be there.
I do recognize the value of attending live events, and in my “past” life have attended live events. I believe anyone who possibly can, should try to attend one at least once a year.
Thanks for the great post!
Matthew Smith Says:
July 4th, 2008 at 4:54 pmVisit Matthew Smith
Hi Melanie -
For some it might be the high price of gas or plane fares.
Others just might not be aware of how easy it is to chit chat their way into a large fortune with nothing more than a smile, a can do attitude, and a good networking strategy.
For me it’s just shyness, in part because I have a 30 pound goiter where my left ear use to be.
I guess it’s different for everybody.
Matt.
Lisa Saline Says:
July 17th, 2008 at 10:58 amVisit Lisa Saline
Hi Melanie,
Your post is dead on. I agree with the importance of attending events to be around like minded individauals as well as to mastermind and network with others. There were times when I struggled to come up with the funds and daycare to get to the event but I found that I could pay for the event by selling items on eBay.
Larry Benet Says:
July 18th, 2008 at 11:19 amVisit Larry Benet
I think one of the biggest factors besides traditonal costs like hotel and rising airfares, is that most people don’t know how to leverage the relationships they make at events.
Most people make a ton of networking mistakes at the event.
When they have met someone worth following up, they don’t do a good job of following up and adding value for the connections they made at the event.
All in all there is an awful lot of missed opportunities for most seminar attendees, although it doesn’t have to be that way, if they learn some simple connecting skills and get better at their follow up.
Larry Benet
The Connector
http://www.larrybenet.com
Laura Says:
August 9th, 2008 at 11:58 amVisit Laura
I recently went to my first event and will certainly be attending more in the future, I got all of the value you listed above and more. But I think that people are hesitant to go to live events because you’re never really sure what you’re going to get for such an incredibly high expense. There’s of course hotel and airfare along with all the little expenses like having to eat out for every meal while you’re there.
My main fear for paying for live events is that I will pay only to listen to sales pitches instead of actionable information.