Internet Marketing Show

[lvstephanie]

I just got an invite in the mail to participate in some internet marketing show being presented at a local hotel's conference room. I get two free tickets which includes admission to the presentation, a free meal, and a free MP3 player (which they never gave specifics on, nor any estimated value, so for all I know it could be a crappy 16MB player that wouldn't even hold a full album / CD of songs). I know there's got to be a catch, but from what I see in the mailing, I can't find what it is. I'm guessing that it is just some high pressure sales pitch to purchase some item to sell online, or some software package that allows you to setup your own online business "instantly". At best, it could be some legit MLM company that is trying to get professional referrals that will truly increase their overall downline.

What do you guys think? Have you ever been to one of these, and what was your experience? Do you think I should go, knowing that you can't get a "free lunch", and so just to go with a cautious eye?

[vangabhargavi]

Hey, that is sure of marketing strategy. I would like to tell you a situation similar to this. I went to orlando in march first week. I bought all the theme parks tickets online. I booked the tickets through orlandodiscounts site. We were offered a 100dollar discount on Disney theme parks tickets in orlando for which we needed to attend a marketing tour. We did accept it because it was a good deal. But when we went there was explaination to buy a timeshare of condo. This is the strategy they put us into. We need to buy it for $25000 and yearly payment of $1000

[sdecaro558]

Have never been to one of those, but if it's a free gift and free lunch, depending on when it was I might go.  Just have to keep in mind that, as the saying goes, there's really no such thing as a free lunch, because they're going to try to sell you something or get you to commit to something.

[mawhite63]

I did something like that a long, long time ago. It was something that was being taped for some type of an infomercial. We needed to show up 30 minutes early for "directions". We were supposed to just look attentive to the speaker, excited by what he was saying, and clap when the applause signs came on. I got a free lunch and a swag bag that had that same type of low quality mp3 player, a pen that had a usb drive attached, a bathrobe (THAT was a good one) and a few other things like a travel mug, etc. They were all branded with the logo of some financial / buy houses services. It took about 3.5 hours and was kind of fun. The food was really good too. Of course there was a big pressure to buy the get rich quick tapes that the guy was selling, but I just brushed it off.  

If you've got the time, definitely go for it, I had fun. If you go come back and report on how it was!

[oldbuddy]

I have been to DOZENS of these and grab every chance I can to go again. They have spent money to bring in the same kind of contacts I am looking for, so I go and talk to as many as I can and spread my $100 Bill drop cards around where the audience can find them but the promoters won't notice.

[charmaine56]

Hey I want to go to some of those. I know the one I went to years ago on purchasing homes was a big scam cause you really did need a lot of time and money to get going so they talked me into charging 440 and I worked full time then and did not have time to learn real estate. Id like to go to some of those now though since I got a little time here.

[dreamyxo]

I used to go to those things a lot and the real estate ones too.  Yup I'd go to get my free meal lol.  I did get carried away once and spent about $300 for a program but after I thought about all the hype I canceled and got my money back.  I went to one a few years ago for some company I forgot the name but you pay like $X (forgot the exact amount) a month for a website and it was like Site Build It but it was a different name.  I still have the notes.  They just brushed over things like SEO, CPM, keywords and things like that. 

I did learn some things from going to those types of seminars as long as I didn't get caught up in the hype and lose my head thinking this was my way out of the rat race. They really do make it sound so easy. 

[cmhbcl]

I also receive those in the mail. I never
have attended one. I've been an employee
at a major hotel and they always booked
programs like that in thier conference
rooms!

[thetotalfool]

I think you have nothing to lose, as long as you know how to decline pushy salesmen.

[oldbuddy]

I think you have nothing to lose, as long as you know how to decline pushy salesmen.

And a whole lot to gain if you're not afraid to talk to the other attendees that are trying to find a way to make money.

[binkivit]

i have never been so far. could be interesting