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We went to 1 show years ago and it was a "bro" fest. We felt so out of place that we never went again. Since we are not sending 10,20,50 joins a day, we were treated like we don't exist by most of the reps. We felt VERY unwelcomed. It had nothing to do with the economics of going. For us, it came down to feeling like we did not belong. Im sure other webmaster feel the same way after attending a show. We will never go again.. Even if a show is in NYC, We will never go... And both of us work in NYC. |
I've yet to attend a show or convention due to budget restraints and also because I haven't been active in the online adult industry for very long. However, I am sincerely looking forward to attending my first event. I don't drink, and I usually enjoy a more laid back setting rather than an "off the hook" party with hookers, devil's dandruff, and people talking 125 decibels too loud while standing about 3 inches away from each other.
I would very much like to meet all of my clients, past and present, to shake their hands, to thank them for their business, and to get to know them better. More importantly, though, I think that attending a show would be a great show of dedication to my role in the online adult industry... that it would somehow prove, at least in some small way, that I'm not a fly-by-night character, that I'm quite serious about the work that I do, and that I'm one of the sexiest fatties in North America. Keep an eye out for me. I'll be the one throwing handfuls of my business cards into the air and dancing as they shower down around me. :1orglaugh |
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If your not a 'bro', sending 50 joins a day, or have a zillion hits a day, you don't exist. Both of us have tried to network with other webmasters only to be given the cold shoulder because we dont have a zillion hits to trade or anything. :Oh crap |
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You give great advice:thumbsup and hopefully enough affiliate owners will see this thread? who knows, this can be the beginning of some positive changes... |
I love Vegas. I've been IN Vegas during every Internext show since 1999 except last year. But attending "the events" and walking around getting free pens at the booths isn't important to me personally. The problem with being able to talk to 10 of the "big guys" at shows is that you also have to be friendly to a thousand of the assholes you'd rather not have to deal with, lol. :)
EVERYONE should go to a big show at least once or twice just to meet and greet. But there's a certain point where you just don't need to. Most of the program owners stay in offsite hotels, have their own private parties and I daresay most of them don't attend the overcrowded free pour booze fests - if they do, it's usually for less than an hour. I can talk with any of the "big guys" 12clicks mentioned w/o going to a show. Heck, I think anyone can. I've seen them all post here and other places and answer any question they've been asked. In fact, you probably have MORE access to them online than you do when you're competing with 100 other folks for their attention. Shows remind me of frat parties - fun for your freshman and sophomore year year, but once you're a senior, they start to lose their charm. |
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I found a connection, at a great price, for a friend on mine that needed a DRM solution. I hooked up a friend with someone that sold erotic/fetish clothing. Said friend then introduced me to a friend of hers that is interested in a couple things we offer. I was able to make arrangements with four sponsor programs to enable me to plan some major changes for my AVS system. I always get additional users to PRadult after every convention. I was able to discuss in detail what I can do for a couple people that were looking at our hosting solution. That enough biz for three days? |
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This could be the year... I come out. |
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but like you said most biz is done online now. tons of programs out there doing great who have never attended a show or ever sponsored anything webmasters dont care. times have changed i do agree. |
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very interesting reading material indeed.
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Way back when 9+ years back the shows were targeted, directed and made for webmasters.
They were even called webmaster events, we went to meet up with friends and to meet the sponsors who welcomed us with open arms. At that time it did not matter if we sent them 1 sale a month or 500 we were important to them. Sure the big guys grouped together and had their parties but they made a point to make us feel welcomed and important, the events they threw the whole weekend to show the webmaster their appreciation were huge and made the weekend feel worth while. At that time the sponsors main goal of sponsoring the event was us the little guys and they wanted our business and worked hard for it :) |
I did 90% of all my business that I planned in the first 3 hours being there, while everyone was lucid and sober.
Going to the parties helped meeting new people. In turn seeing them the next day was easier to talk business. I was able to actually enjoy myself at all of the suite parties, with the exception of two, were open to the public. How you spend your time at a show equates to it's productivity. I've done the hookers and blow at a show, get drunk off your ass. Back in the late 90's. Now it's all about ROI. Your business, at the end of the day. |
A lot of very true points here and so many are true, so clearly there are a LOT of issues affecting the decision not to attend.
For me personally, I did see the clique element and only after a few shows did anyone I didn't already know act evenly mildly interested in talking (business or not). It wasn't that they had attitude, it was almost like they didn't know what to do. Clearly a lot of reps are not really going to shows to do business and/or they aren't skilled in how to interact with others. Those that are, seem to stand out as they are out there working and not just talking about "what party are you going to tonight?" |
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Hit me up with any questions. |
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We had a great time at the show, got quite a bit of business done (trying to follow up with most of it now). Everyone has the right to an opinion, but i have done very well with shows in the past and have built my business to this point by connections and relationships I made at them. Just my 2 cents anyways... |
This thread delivers!
Seriously, I have been looking at solutions to this for the past two years. The dwindling number of "new" and or established webmasters attending "shows" has been a major concern for us as it has effected our shows tremendously over the past 2 years. We made major adjustments and evolved the show each year in hopes of staving off this decline. I think this Internext turned it around - alot - but there is more work to do. I have some great ideas that I have brought to sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers (some of which have been implemented, some in progress) to bring in new webmasters and potentially the ones who just dont come. I think there are three types of webmasters - Those that attend. Ones that will NEVER come. Ones that can't come because of cost limitations or any number of reasons. We cant do much about the second group - but the third is a great variable that can be changed. When I meet webmasters at shows, and I met many new faces in Vegas this week - I take the time to get feedback and see what we can do to serve them better. I welcome comments, feedback, good or bad. Bottom line - there are a multitude of shows (probably more than we need), gatherings and events to choose from. They are here because the sponsors want to do more business and meet new webmasters and entertain current ones. I will do my part to bring in more - stay tuned at Miami and Internext Vegas 2009. |
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this nonsense about not cliques and not being able to talk to people at shows is silly.
Perfect example. I'm in an elevator with a guy, he's got a badge on. I say to him, "what do you do in our business?" He replies with,"I'm a free site operator" I say,"wow, you're a rare breed. What type of sites?" The conversation continued. I really don't think we can take the word of a handful of recluses on how easy or difficult it is to meet people at shows. I good number of the people in this thread are merely trying to justify their poor decision of not attending. I meet new people and expand my business every show. |
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Wanna meet the owners of say.. ohhh, nasty dollars? orrr python? orr <insert giant company here>, then you'll only ever do it at a show. Sure, there are people who go to shows and get nothing done and party all night and sleep in all day, but to each his own. You can get as much or as little as you want from a show. Anyone who's view of the industry is so small to think that it's about "bros" (a term made up by a bunch of small time board trolls as far as I can tell) buying eachother drinks... well.. not everyone is destined to do something big, I guess. :2 cents: |
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This was the first Vegas show I missed in 10 years, crazy.. |
shows are worthless events for program managers to look cool in fubar's galleries.
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Its good to see peeps face to face, but that's all..unless you're going to be doing meetings all throught the day with different clients..and try to stay sober:2 cents: |
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good thread
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I think they don't go anymore because they've realised all the afilliate manager flirting was a lie ...
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I think attending a show or two a year is a good thing. We attend shows to meet new and existing program owners. I think it is somewhat of a bonding/get to know you type of scenario. Shows are a getaway for us, along with the fact we can see our current friends and business associates that live to far away to visit.
I don’t think we have ever been treated poorly at any show. The people we have had the privilege to meet have been very friendly and helpful. The costs may be a bit pricey, but what isn't? Get out, live and enjoy meeting new faces. :winkwink: |
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