I came across this blog post by Brendan Wenzel and when I read it I just went WOW. I know if it wasn’t for the live events I have been to or the friends I have met through live Internet Marketing or Business Strategy events, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My network of people that I work with is global. I have a large chunk of my friends who live in So Cal (Southern California for my Australian readers) and I put it down to one thing. Its not a cool or secret internet marketing strategy. Its about meeting people, shaking hands, listening, responding and telling solid stories. These are where big JV’s and Big business deals are made and not only that, this is where life long friendships are created. Brendan’s blog post is below:

It’s Feb. 4th and I’m packing for my flight to Orlando in a few hours. For the next 4 days, I will be attending JV Alert Live with some of the coolest people that this planet has to offer, Internet Marketers.

Internet marketers and business owners are the coolest people to meet and have a conversation with. Most have great stories because they actually do stuff. It’s all about the lifestyle with most of these people.

Online Hello, Offline Conversation

Scott Stratten once told me that Twitter is to get the hello out the way for real life meetings. And it totally made sense to me. I knew most the people at that conference because I had either chatted with them or seen them multiple times on Twitter.

Most people online say that web 2.0 and social media is just one big conversation, but I disagree. It’s a shouting match most of time. Everyone trying to get someone to listen to what they have to say. In real life, as I’m sure you are well aware, it’s a lot easier to have a real conversation and get to know someone.

Real Life = Real Growth

Last April, I got invited to attend Extreme Business Makeovers in Orlando. At the time, I was unemployed and trying my hardest to get something working when David Faulkner invited me to the event.

My immediate answer was YES! I didn’t even stop to figure out how it would work because I knew it had to. It was meant for me to be there.

I ended up borrowing my brother’s broken down truck, stayed 2 nights with a friends, found a hotel for $15/night, went to the grocery store for food and ran out of gas and money on the way back home. It may not have been pretty, but you know what? I did it, which is more than most other people can say.

That weekend turned out to be the biggest growing experience of my life. The friends I made, the people I met, the stuff I learned (inside and out of seminars) and the life lessons.

Deals are Done Offline

The last thing that I want to add here is that deals are done at events like these. Usually, it’s while drinking a beer and writing on a napkin. What big deal is out there waiting for you, but you’re missing the opportunity?

Get off your computer every once in a while and make something exciting and fun happen. That’s why we are in this business.

Taken from: http://brendanwenzel.net/the-importance-of-live-events-for-internet-marketers/

Technorati Tags: Brendan Wenzel, david faulkner, deals, Extreme business makeovers, Facebook, internet marketing, Live Events, Online Marketing, orlando, scott stratten, Social Media, Twitter, web 2.0