Do you ever think about how attending an event like WordCamp Halifax can Boost your Business?
Many people think that events like a WordCamp are not always the thing to do for business. And by business, I mean whether you have a business or work at one because your career is your business too! With that thought process of “It’s not worth going to”, many folks do not bother attending.
If this is your thought process, you could not be more wrong and I want to challenge you on how an event like this can help you – both professionally and personally.
WordCamps for one are some of the lowest cost events you will ever see and sessions filled with so much knowledge and expert speakers.
That argument of costing too much does not fit here. WordCamp Halifax has a fee of only $25 and that includes the full event, access to the Happiness Bar, your lunch and an afterparty. The sessions will also be up for viewing later at WordPress.tv. So, if you miss a session you can still hear it later. You get access to 25 Speakers!
Now, you might argue travel and lodging costs if you are coming out of town. I get this, that could add several hundred dollars.
BUT have you ever really thought about what this investment will get you in return?
It’s more than just money… you have access to the full day of learning from experts and other business owners. People very committed to teaching you skills and techniques to take back to your business (none of these speakers are paid to come nor to speak – they are simply dedicated and passionate about sharing their knowledge). This new knowledge will help you bring more to your own business or to your toolbox of skills and ultimately help develop and grow your business or you.
Now might come in your argument of, “So what Kathy, I can learn anything I want online!”
True… but it’s not the same. Learning in PERSON has an added hidden benefit many do not consider – the people.
When you are taking online courses, and in most cases multitasking as you let the videos run on your monitor, or driving, or walking… you are missing out – not only on true learning but missing the other people in a classroom setting, the people you get to network with, bump ideas off of and get to know better. People are an invaluable resource in your business and people can provide a Return on Investment too.
A Network of People is a Valuable Business Asset
Your network can not only provide people as a resource, but potential clients too. It’s a known fact that people do business with people they know, like and trust. The same goes for referrals, you refer people you know, like and trust. At WordCamp Halifax, you will build that network and it can also pay you back in referrals to you for business. When others get to know you, your skills, your personality and all the other intricate details we can learn about one another at a conference – this gives you an edge up on others as you will be top of mind with the people you meet here.
How Valuable can a Network Be?
HERE’S A SHOCKING REVELATION on ONE NETWORK!
I did think about all these things and the money when I was making my first decision to attend my first conference as a business owner – back in 2009…and after reflecting on it, I decided the benefits of going were more than worth the cost and the loss of opportunity by staying home.
And I did go … it took me three credit cards, rooming up with 2 strangers and skimping on a LOT to go and also while there, BUT it changed my life. I truly can say I would not be where I am today if I had not attended that conference. That conference cost me $1500 and my ROI on this event stands so far at almost 18,600%. (There are NOT two extra zeroes in that number)
Yes, I have made back that $1500 investment by more than 186 times what it cost me to attend.
186 times or 18,600% however you call it, I have made over $280,000 in client income because of all the connections I made at that one conference. (I actually thought it was about 60K, but I recently sat down and tallied up all income made that stemmed from all connections at that one conference in 2009.) It was shocking to see that total
What I did was look at my revenue since I started my business and client list and any client I got from all the connections I made at that event in 2009. It really made me understand the value of those connections, the people I met back then.
The reality is if I had not gone, and spent that $1500, I would not have made those connections that ultimately brought me all those clients and all that income… because of the people I met there – in a session at the event. I also learned about WordPress and Blogging for the first time – those are now two mainstays of my business income.
So, I ask you again… if you have been thinking that the not attending WordCamp – or even other events like this – think again and look at it from what you could lose in opportunities.
That is my challenge to you. Don’t simply say you don’t have time, or that you could learn this stuff elsewhere and any other reasons… look at it from what you could be missing out on and losing by not going.
People and Connections can be as big an asset to your business as anything else.
We hope to see you at WordCamp on May 27th. Get your tickets today as they will not be sold at the door.
