that is why I like the smaller shows like Redneck Getaway...been 2 years in a row and between the 2 years made quite a few good biz connections and generated some nice income from it as well as made a few new friends too.

from a non-program webmaster, there is very little at the shows for us other than to meet affiliate reps. however, there are a lot more people in the industry that just webmasters... content providers, shooters, marketing people (like myself), etc. which talking to these other companies does bring in business.

i would say that if i was coming to the show as just an affiliate site owner or tgp webmaster it would almost be pointless other than to put a face with a name or possibly get an extra $5 PPS.

but the parties are a blast :thumbsup

As a webmaster, I send the most sales to whatever program converts the best and makes me the most money. After being an adult webmaster for 10 years, I dont need sales reps throwing me sales pitches.

The only reason I'd attend a show is to meet program owners for the first time. But one can only do that so many times, before one has met them all.

Quack Quackkkkk

http://www.costume-shop.com/images/products/42069.jpg

we are not drinkers and dont " Party " so it is a waste of time and money.

went to one show and that was that.

Why should real webmasters go? What's in it for them? The seminars are a joke - always have been. Saddly this would be the best reason for them to go but everyone knows they are nothing more than a long winded advertisement for the company putting on the seminar.

If you are small, there really is no real networking because you don't really get all the fancy invites to all the parties. They are treated more like fans but without the perks.

So why pay all that money to go to the show to learn nothing at fake seminars with no real opportunity for networking?

It's a waste of valuable time and resources. I've been saying this for years ... going to shows is retarded. It's such a waste. You can schmooze with me to get my business just as easy over the phone or ICQ than you can at a loud, dirty show room floor.

On my desk I am looking at 4 tickets to "private" industry parties. I got these because I've been in the business for more than a decade but you know what? I'm the last person that should have gotten them! I know these people, that's why they send me the tickets. So I don't need to network with them more!

Instead these tickets should be sent out to all the small guys. They are the ones who are working their booties off to be bigger. You get their loyalty now and *if* they do make it, your gamble paid off and now you have a whale.

But no, instead companies send people they already know and are already established their stupid party tickets. Talk about a total waste.

Think about how much a company will spend on going to a show. Take that money and spend it on ass kissing to smaller webmasters throughout the entire year and I promise you'll be more productive and attract more loyal clients. The last person I would want to do business with is some retard I got drunk with in Vegas.

It's not about being a "someone" it's about being serious about the business and wanting to make it! I have been in the biz for 5 years, and most of the webmasters that I met at my first show who nobody even heard of became very big guys... everybody has to start somewhere, and I am willing to do business and give people chances.

I go just to see the hot chicks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelli58. I would like to gain your business.

i go to party with Air3kkkkkkkkk

50 "the show must go on"

I have to ask. Why are you asking on THIS board? From what I see, there are no "webmasters" here. *tsk tsk tsk

I never went to a show because I'm anti social and am unable to talk to "new people" and socialize. I'd rather hide in my house. I also don't party. I don't drink, and I don't dance. I don't really talk either, I can't talk to "new people" or meet new people. That's why I'm a webmaster, no need to talk to anyone.

We had booths at the shows for years, starting at the very first IA2000 show, and also sponsored parties and seminars. It just became a waste of money. At first, we did quite a bit of networking and business through the booth and the parties, but that quickly changed. It got to the point that the only people hitting up the booths were sales reps from other companies trying to sell you something!

It just got to the point where the larger shows just weren't any fun anymore. We stopped bothering with the parties, and would spend time at dinner with friends we already knew. Next thing, we just stopped going.

We do intend to start going to the smaller shows again, and see where those may lead.

Carol xoxoxo

Going to big parties is a waste of time usually. If you fall into the whale category it's even worse. No one pays attention to you unless they finally realize what amount of sales can you send to them. At that moment you get like 5 or 10 sales reps annoying you all the day asking you to send traffic to them.
The funny thing is that they don't even have power to negotiate some decent deal... so it's not only a major annoyance but also it's a waste of time and nerves.

So... if I go to some gathering or party I expect to make business... what's the point of going there if the person who is supposed to make the deals with me is unable to negotiate a custom deal because he has no decision power?

Also don't think that everyone wants to be in the GFY "Bro" club. There are other webmasters "Bro" clubs that are for webmasters only and we do our own parties and business without sales reps and other useless people.
Last one was this last weekend in London... and we did lots of good business as usual :)

i had soooooooo much fun at your studio party in montreal at webmaster access a few years ago carol!

at the end of the day I do agree with you, it's all about numbers but it also helps when you have a good rep like me working for you:winkwink:

When I worked full time as a webmaster I never went to a show for different reasons.
To expensive
Going to the US, $200-300 for the pass, the hotel where the show is held is the same price per night. 4 nights, pass, plane ticket and spending money + a couple of extra days now the trip is made quickly gets expensive and not knowing what to expect for a small time webmaster its not worth it.

Get a group of 5-8 sponsors together of different kinds, paysites, cams, dating, pills and so on.
Then have smaller local events focusing on the small to medium sized webmasters and have seminars that are useful:
TGP scripts and how trading is done best.
TGP/Free site submissions how to get the best results.
How to promote cam sites.
How to sell penis enlargement programs.
Filtering traffic.
Know your niches.
And so on you know useful stuff so if someone only doing cams want to venture into something else he could pick up some info.

Have "trade with me" meetings where webmasters can meet and find some new trades, exchange partner accounts and so on.

Have a decent registration fee, no need to have it in a 5 star hotel, keep it simple and at a fair price. Have a few parties but they shouldn't be the main events it should be main focus for everyone to learn how to make more money.

yep the dutch webmaster events are very cool as well, small but loads of business I am told, since I did not get a chance to visit them of various reasons do not flame me if the above is not accurate.
anyway yes I am sure that webmasters ( the lowest of the lowest? ) do not attend because as stated by various webmasters what is the point?
getting a picture taken with JDL?
bombarded by reps?
getting insulted by fat fuck Sleazy?
and so on and so on and so on

Jesus Christ, you and I could be brother and sister.

That was a fun, and unexpectedly huge, party. Thank God we had the room, and the alcohol, to handle everyone ;)

I even lost one of my bartenders to a group heading back downtown toward the end of the night. She ended up becoming someone's content!

We did get some great pictures of various webmasters in very compromising positions. Remember the Glory Hole set-up?? :winkwink:

Carol xoxoxo

You are right! attention should be focused on the smaller webmasters, this is what I've been preaching the whole time... they have so much Potential and drive to make it, but the problem is how do you find them??? Guys big or small I don't care I want to get to know you and help you! pls hit me up on icq and maybe we can have our own webmasters only gathering... this is something that I will have to discuss with my team but I really think it?s worth doing

Kelli58 how do I get in touch with you?

I would love to get invited to one of your next gatherings:thumbsup

why didnt i go?

because i would much rather spend 500 bucks on hardlinks and plugs, rather than have somebody saying send me traffic all day long.

oh yeh i am also 19, so vegas would be pretty shit for me at my age. doubt i would even be allowed in the show!

having said that though, i would like to go for the experience. there is no denying that. I have never been to vegas. i wonder if its like what they show it is in the movies.

everybody has to go to Vegas at least once:winkwink:

Going to a show is pretty expensive and thus you will exclude +- 50% of the adult webmasters..
There are a few big fishes but _alot_ of small fishes which you can't catch via shows but via GFY!

After talking to a few webmasters I think a number one concern is cost. I mean if one of your sponsors was willing to pay your way to a show would you reconsider going? I know I would, I would also be willing to work a lot harder to send that sponsor traffic (provided of course that it converted).
I agree with the hotel choices being on the pricey side. There are plenty of mid range hotels that would be just as good as the ritzy $200+ dollar a night places.
I only met with a couple of real webmasters at Phoenix Forum and Cybernet, other than that it was "retailers" of some sort or another be it content, processing or other.
All in all it does very much reek at times of favoritism towards the fat cats. I think it's sad that more consideration isn't give to webmasters at shows. I love the idea of a Trade Party, that would be a great addition to any of the shows.
I'm sure there are other things that you could do in order to bring in more webmasters. Better seminars and workshops, events that don't involve booze for the non drinkers and I'm sure there are others...

A excellent post. Also its not needed to make money I know a webmaster makes 200k he does affiliate stuff does no shows, doesnt post on boards.

im willing to bet if the affiliate managers had to pay their own way to the show 90% of them wouldn't show up to shows either. :2 cents:

gains/business/rewards < costs for travel, tickets to the show etc.

It's just not worth it anymore.

i used to like going to the big shows....the bros' were always nice to me, i got lots of free drinks, got to go to the cool parties/private dinners and even met Gianna at her first show...but my health isn't good now and i cant travel too far...
but i would recommend going to at least one big show, even for the newer webmasters..

I really don't see the point for the webmaster to attend a show anymore either.

Firstly, the admission cost (in addition to the travel/hotel expenses), makes no sense. Companies paying to showcase their stuff (ie. a booth) should be the only ones charged anything. Do that and you may just see a few more webmasters at shows. Making them pay however is like me paying a cover charge to enter Wal-Mart.

I think the few webmasters that go these days fall mostly into these categories:

- Vacation
- They like to party
- To see friends
- To collect swag
- They are HUGE affiliates so their main sponsor invited them and covered the costs (rare but still happens)

Shows are pretty much all B2B now.

Im a noob so wouldent even consider going

Im looking forward to attending the costa rica bash :thumbsup

I remember at Internext last year or the year before, I was introduced to a company owner and he asked me where I was from.

I said "Australia but living in Vegas"

He said "No no no, I mean what company are you with?"

I said almost apologetically "uh no I'm just a webmaster, a one man show"

"Ooohhh ok!" he exclaimed.

I felt like saying "Is that ok or should I get the fuck outta here?" but
I think sadly he was just shocked that I wasn't yet another sales rep about to start my sales pitch on him. :error

exactomondo

myself stopped going to shows over 3 years ago... not sure if I'll go again.. limited time and limited return on the time to go to shows.. :2 cents:

I beg to differ. While GFY is a great resource, let there be no mistake, someone with your skills could pick up more long term relationships than you will on a board. The face to face helps a lot.

As far a being socially unplugged, that is your own fault. You are a well-known, popular guy. Your successful avoidance of cameras plays against you. If you introduced yourself to more people (ie: conventions) I think you could generate more biz than you would know what to do with.

JMHO

You should check out mainstream prices if you think $300 is too much.