IS it Worth Going to Industry Shows Anymore?
 

Just curious, the last one that I was at was XBiz 2005. Back then there was an air of meeting, greeting, making deals, shooting girls in the hotel rooms for my sites, it was a great vibe... Almost decided last night to get to Arizona, but... maybe next year. What are the rest of you're experiences?

Especially anyone at the show right now, are you all having fun? Is there still tons of business, traffic trades, etc, to be done?

Thanks..

I don't really think it is for most guys, if you consider what it cost you to go, compared to what you really get out of it.

I think that virtual affiliate shows are the wave of the future for the affiliate game.

the virtual thing sounds like an intriguing idea. I wonder what the numbers are for the PP?

Like anything in life, it is what you make of it. It's up to you if you want to go there and get drunk as fuck or if you want to line up some deals. There is no answer to is it worth it anymore. Especially when you ask here on GFY. Our buddy SUD will probably chime in at some point to tell us how the industry is in such demise that going to a show in 2008 would have been 67% more profitable than if you'd go to one tomorrow.

if i will be welcomed, i will always go ... it is great to see and say hello to people who you talk to on the internet, and to say thank you for all the money you are sending me for the sales i am sending to you ... great times, always, period, howgh! :thumbsup

It wont replace the face to face experience:2 cents:

I went to 1 and it was 100% waste of time and money.

Hey J.F.K., yes, this is certainly true.

As one of the others have said, a conference is what you make of it. If you go there with a goal to line up some deals, forge new relationships, set up meetings and treat it like a business, you are going to get something out of it. If you go in blind, and just looking to party, then you might get nothing beyond a hang over.

If you're based on the states, you're talking about $1000-15000.00 to go. One content, hosting, traffic deal could easily pay for that trip. You have to treat it like an investment IMHO. I find them rewarding, but I only go to a handful per year. There are way too many, and I do not need to see the same people 15 times per year a few weeks apart.

:2 cents:

Yes, thanks for the input BF. I should have went. Blah. I was on FB last night, seeing some of my friends there posting about it. Made me miss it. I will most likely see you all next year.

I am at Phoenix Forum right now and we had a similar discussion last night while at the YNOT Grand Prix. In fact, everyone at the table was very old school people in the industry for fifteen years plus... The shows are much less about the parties and having fun, and so much more business related.

Nearly every show I've gone to in the past two years has been productive with the exception of one mainstream show.

I also get to see old friends.

Some shows, like Affiliate Summit, for mainstream, is mind blowing for me - and a lot of work.

Shows are what you make them ... and remember that you are always there to work 24-7.

Thanks Rochard, I appreciate the input, have fun!

true that, Herb!

Short answer No.

Plenty of drunk dudes making promises that they wont remember when they sober up.

And asking "who the fuck is this" after e-mail/skype/etc later.Tho it was kind a funny experience with one female rep which came to me 2am i think,and she said how she can do anything whatever i need,and i said "anythinggggggggggg"tho i was too tired to see what exactly that "anything"means.Later when i contacted her over skype she couldn't remember anything while i remembered every word.I mean,it's not like every day where you sit in corner and some women come to you offering anything lol.

I guess the face to face aspect is very much the essence for any of these shows :2 cents:

You have to put your expectations from / goals for a show in place and then act accordingly.

But even if you'd go there just to basically meet people you're dealing with - the value of knowing someone in person is worth it.

Made a couple of deals and contacts at Xbiz EU in London, but not enough to really warrant flying over to the US shows yet!

hey guys, thank you for the insight, I really appreciate it!

Go to a Vegas or LA show, closer to you.

Of course it's worth it.. you gotta close the big deals though.

lol at virtual

I tend to go to the Internext shows, but that's about it. Already booked the hotel for New Orleans.

Do you see many small-scale "indie" paysite webmasters there anymore?

I ask because I've never been. The ROI never quite seemed to add up. I run a single small paysite, for my vintage niche I'm more likely to find content dealers at antique shows than webmaster shows, and I'm not really active enough in the shrinking affiliate sphere to make that worthwhile. That leaves maybe potential consulting gigs, which I don't always have the time for anyway.

Either way, guys/gals who run a single or a couple paysites are a dying breed it seems.

For my mainstream biz I go to trade & consumer shows because a single new client usually pays for the attendance and then some. It's a no brainer.

Those calculations just don't bear out for me in adult, but could be wrong there. Been thinking about attending one later this year just to see without expecting any return on the $$, any advice for a first-timer?

Been to once. Accomplished what I was looking for. I'd go again but it won't pay back.

Well back then it was worth it, and from what our friends are saying now, it still seems to be worth it. I also think I am an affiliate of yours, I will try to plug you in with my vintage big boob library when I redesign naturallyvoluptuous.com next month. I am also small potatoes for now. But I am building something beautiful. So don't be discouraged. :2 cents:

Nice thread. I was wondering this exact thing. I have independently been running a paysite for about 6yrs and it is going very well and I am about to launch another but I have been going back and forth about the usefulness of going to some of these shows.

I really want to meet with other people face to face that are in the industry and ready to do business. I think maybe I should hit a show or two just to see what is going on it seems. Would love to get some fun content for my site too at a show :winkwink:

Which ones have been the best to go to in everyones opinion?

last time i went 2 a show, i was raped by a load of webbymasters... :(

SHAME I CANT A4D 2 GO AGAIN...