I had a gentleman ask me once why I attend internet marketing seminars and training and if they’re really worth the money. 
In my opinion, there’s nothing more personally invigorating or as powerfully educating than getting out of your office, meeting people and making lasting business relationships.
In my experience it’s one of the best ways for improving the success of your business because you are improving relationships, making connections and working up joint ventures.
…and as for the money, yes it’s worth it.
I like to think of it this way… Having an internet business and working at home isn’t like being in the corporate world where you are surrounded by employees, meetings and social gatherings.
Working in front of your home computer can be a solitary existence. Your contacts are often confined to your emails, an occasional phone call, the kids or a cup of coffee with the cat.
Don’t get me wrong, this is what I do and I LOVE working at home, but let’s face it, my business relationships are limited.
Your internet business, or any business for that matter, is nothing without continuous education, networking and the relationships you make. They all go hand in hand and one cannot exist without the other.
But even more important than that is you need people to know about YOU, what you do and how a relationship with you might benefit them.
A face to face meeting, a handshake and getting to know someone on a personal level goes a long way for providing lasting impressions, but you are also building the ground work for creating even more relationships as a result of the positive recommendations people will make about you.
Internet Marketing Seminars Aren’t About Selling
People sometimes think of seminars as a gathering for pushy salesman. Sure, you’ll always run into the hot shot salesman trying to sell you anything and everything but the truth is, people attend internet marketing seminars to expand their reach, network and learn a few things.
Seminars are your best chance to look at the broader scope of your business helping you build a stronger foundation.
When meeting someone for the first time put the focus on that person. Find out what they do and then tell them about yourself, what you do and how you might be able to help them. Remember, you’re there to build a business relationship …not secure a sale in 60 seconds.
Seminars are ideal for gathering new ideas, finding easier ways to do business and reaching new business heights. I always find myself with a boost of new energy and feel a better sense of connection with the world I do business in.
When you get home you’ll have so many ideas that you won’t know what to do first. It’s like putting your motivation on steroids.
What to do when attending internet marketing seminars
1. Get out of your room and mingle
Don’t go back to your room and watch TV or waste away an evening. Find people to hang with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get to know them, but more importantly let them get to know you. Before you leave, get names and email addresses. When you get home, drop a few emails to those that stand out in your mind and tell them how much you enjoyed meeting them.
2. Shake the hands of the experts and product developers that you recognize and admire.
Meeting the people that have helped mentor you along the way is a great privilege. Help them remember you. You will almost always find people that will be interested in partnering with you on projects. That’s a huge! So get in on that.
Getting to know the “who’s who” in your industry gives you a real foothold on where you should be going and how you’re going to get there.
3. If you go with a friend, spouse or business partner, mingle separately.
Going with someone can give moral support but step out of your comfort zone and reach out to as many people as you can.
4. Enjoy the seminar – Don’t be too serious.
Keep your head out of your notebook and stop taking notes. Write down the highlights but don’t miss the forest for the trees. Observe people and their interests and listen carefully understanding what the main point a speaker is trying to make.
I can’t tell you how many ideas, tricks and powerful nuggets of information I’ve gotten this way.
I like to strike up conversations by asking questions. It will get people talking and at the same time it solves your problem of what to say. The more people that walk away from the seminar remembering you as a credible, capable professional and someone that they think of as a mutually beneficial partner, the better – actually it’s priceless.
It can be tough to break away and attend a seminar; after all I don’t have someone paying my way any longer, it’s on my tab now, however you can’t let that stop you. Once you attend a seminar or a workshop, you’ll not only want to go every year, you’ll look forward to it because your education, business networks and relationships will benefit tenfold.
It’s an investment that continues to give for many months to come.
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