Internet Marketing Seminars – Are They Just A Scam?

The weekend of (31 June 07 – 1 July 07), I was lucky enough to attended a free Internet Marketing Seminar, held in London – UK.

The actual title of the event was:

THE 2007 INTERNET MARKETING WORKSHOP, LONDON

 

The workshop was hosted by a well known Internet Marketing Expert – Frank Garon.

I had read about Frank many times before and enjoyed his rags to riches story of once being a broke lorry driver and being a regular ‘down to earth’ guy like you and me.

I also knew he really enjoys coming over to the UK and speaking at various seminars/workshops, including running his own.

So I decided to sign up to the FREE workshop and began to get myself organized for the upcoming weekend in London.

My girlfriend also signed up, although I expected her reasons for going were more shopping orientated than internet marketing! 

Up until now, I have attended around 6 similar type seminars of varying sizes and cost, so I pretty much knew what sort of thing to expect.

It was primarily aimed at newbies and because it was free to attend, I presumed there would be quite a ‘pitch-fest’ by the speakers.

Despite that thought, I was determined to go there and glean as much information from the speakers as I could. Besides I really wanted to meet Frank Garon and hear what he had to say.

There were other speakers lined up who I hadn’t heard of before and one or two that I had.

Here was the line-up:

The Speakers 

Frank Garon (US) – A great ambassador to the working man! Our honoury Brit!

Me and Frank Garon…sharing the love!

Nick James (UK) – Local boy done good! .. Very good! A very popular speaker.

Len Thurmond (US) Bruce Safran (US) – Introduced us to the power of affiliate marketing.

Neil Stafford (UK) Neil Travers (UK) – 2 guys who are taking massive action and are headed for a lot of success.

Greg Cesar (US) – Amazing knowledge of Google Adwords. Very advanced stuff

Kirt Christensen (US) – Seems like he’s been around for 50 years! – Always polished and always moving with the times. Good to see you again Kirt.

Jerry Hart (US) – A real genuine guy who spoke from the heart. 

Now although the weekend was titled ‘workshop’, I’m not quite sure that accurately described the event.

I’m not trying to split hairs; I just have an image of a workshop to be one of learning new skills and being taught specific tasks.

I suppose the word ‘workshop’ sounds more inviting to new internet marketers and has a wider appeal.

Anyway, the format of the weekend went pretty much as I had imagined.

Eight speakers were invited by Frank and they comprised a mix of successful British and American internet marketers.

There were approx 150-200 attendees.

Over the 2 days, we heard each one speak for around 1-2 hours each.    

Basically each speaker talked about how they started in their internet marketing business, what their current level of success is now (backed up by proof) and what they are doing right now that they can teach you to do.

Each speaker shared some useful and often practical information along the way and answered 1 or 2 questions at the end of their presentation.

Just before they finished their presentation, everyone was handed a form to complete if they wanted to sign up to the respective speaker’s program/product etc.

The cost of these ranging from monthly subscriptions of around $50, to a one time payment of between US $1000 to $8000. 

In between the presentations and during the evenings, we were all encouraged to actively ‘network’ - with each other, as well as with the speakers.

The speakers did make themselves available and I did manage to chat to a few of them.

 

Me and Kirt Christensen  .. A big fella! 

Now the question I asked at the start was: ‘Internet Marketing Seminars – Are They Just A Scam?’

The reason I headed this article with that question, was because I attended a similar type of seminar/workshop, when I was just starting out.

I won’t mention any names, because he is still a well known internet marketer, but basically I signed up to his ‘mentoring program’ for the princely sum of US$10,000.

I even had to take out a loan to raise the money.

That was in 2004, and to say it under-delivered doesn’t even begin. I won’t go into the whys and wherefores, but it must have been the easiest ten grand that guy had ever made!  

The problem with these seminars/workshops, is that attendees (mainly newbies) are strongly encouraged to sign-up there and then, in order to receive a special discount or this weekend only, special bonus.

I know nothing was compulsory and it was a free event. No one was pressured into purchasing anything or signing up to any program.

But every attendee I spoke to had, or was going to, sign up to one of the speakers’ program or mentoring course.

Now unfortunately 95% of them were caught up in the ‘moment’ and dreaming of having the ultimate lifestyle the speakers had described.

None of that would matter if they actually listened to the speakers in the first place and took ‘Massive Action’.

But I know the majority of people won’t do what’s needed to be done. And I’m afraid that the organizers and speakers know that too.

Are the speakers to blame? Not really. Each speaker presented a viable money making opportunity. They had a good product and claimed to offered good ongoing support. It was up to the individual to decide if they wanted to sign up.

But there was one thing missing from the whole event that stuck out like a sore thumb.

To me it was glaringly obvious and the biggest thing that held me back from making any real money for at least 3 years. And until you ‘get this’, you will always struggle to build a business and make a full time living on the internet.

Here’s the deal…not one of my fellow attendees (that I spoke to), who signed up to the various offers, did so because they wanted to build an internet business around something they had a passion for or absolutely loved.

The only thing that was going through their heads was the thought of how much money they could make with this particular offer.

I know from personal experience that it is very difficult to make money from selling something you have little or no interest in, compared to selling something that you have a great passion or love for.

My whole ‘making money on the internet thought process,’ changed overnight when I grasped that concept.   

Do what you love and the money will follow. This is what I live by now, and it has never been more true.

Unfortunately this philosophy is not taught or explained at Internet Marketing Seminars/Workshops. Certainly not at so-called ‘free’ ones, and not the one I have just attended.

Again, I must stress that all the offers presented at that workshop were genuine money making opportunities and some very good ones at that.

So What Did I Get Out Of The Weekend?

It might surprise you to know that the weekend I spent with Frank Garon, the 8 guest speakers and 150 or so attendees, was one of the most educational experiences I have ever had!

No I’ve not gone mad!

It was a defining moment in my journey as an internet entrepreneur.

I have come away from London with a clarity and self belief that I haven’t felt for a very long time.

Many of my assumptions and beliefs have been reaffirmed and I now understand what I need to do in order to take my business to the next level.

Not so much by what I had learnt (although I did pick up a few great tips), but by who I spoke with.

I did the one thing that is strongly encouraged at these events – I networked and I listened.

One particular speaker really hit a chord with me. Not just with what he said, but how he actually said it.

His name is Jerry Hart. You may or may not have heard of him. If you get the chance to hook up with him, make sure you grasp the opportunity. You’ll understand why after 2 mins of talking with him!

He’s a little ‘off the wall’ and he certainly ‘lost’ a few of the audience with his presentation. To be perfectly honest, I can’t even remember what program of his he was promoting.

But I didn’t give a ‘monkey’s uncle’ about that, I was just loving the performance and the energy he was giving off!  

Jerry spoke with real passion and genuinely loved what he did. But he was also desperate for the audience to be ‘turned on’ too and to be motivated to take the all important ‘massive action’. 

I managed to corner Jerry in the lobby, just before lunch on the second day. At the very least I wanted to thank him for his excellent presentation. He was more than happy to talk to me and we had a great chat.

Afterwards I felt like I had just bumped into an old friend. 

 

Jerry Hart

(By the way Jerry, I hope you managed to get your lost luggage back from Mr Branson!!)

And to me, that is the real value behind these events. A chance to ‘chew the fat’ with a real, proven ‘expert’ in your line of business has got to be worth your time and effort to get there.

It’s quite funny because all the speakers say something like; “if you take nothing else from these 2 days, take this point away with you .. …”

Yes, it’s usually excellent advice. But my advice to anyone attending an internet marketing seminar/workshop, is to seek out your favorite speaker and grab 2 minutes with them. Longer if you can, but make the effort.

Because that’s where the real value of these events are. And that’s why I will continue to go to such events and continue to learn and forge friendships and business relationships.

You just don’t know what doors may open for you.

Conclusion

I hope I have presented a balanced opinion of the weekend and of Internet Marketing Seminars/Workshops. Remember it is only my opinion and I’m sure everyone else who attended would have slightly different opinions.

For the newbies in the room it must have seemed like a whole new world of opportunities and new beginnings.

I just hope they don’t do what I did, and spend the next 3 years chasing the end of the rainbow.

For me, I had a different agenda for attending and I knew before I went, what I want to achieve, how I intend to achieve it and what it is I am prepared to give in return.

But I came away feeling like I had signed up to the greatest business opportunity there ever was!

I have new clarity, a clearer path and even more passion! (infact I’m working on turning those 3 outcomes into an 8 week program! – Joke! )

I want to wholeheartedly thank Frank Garon and all the speakers at the London 2007 Workshop.

I can honestly say that I picked up a real nugget of advice or tip from each of them that will benefit my online business.

I look forward to attending the next seminar/workshop and forging new friendships and business partners. 

I’ll keep you updated!

Peter