Online Marketing Conferences - training and education resources for Internet Marketing

Can’t you already find most of what’s being presented at a typical online marketing conference online for free anyway?

The answer to that questions is, well...it depends. But generally speaking, attending an event in person affords you opportunities that forum or chat interaction does not.

Let's assume that you see value in keeping your edge in the marketplace through training, at least as it relates to the quickly changing practice of Internet Marketing. That said, we'll address the value question as event based learning of online marketing topics versus online learning instead of the overall value of education in general.

The Internet undoubtedly provides a wealth of information on Internet marketing, and certainly much of it is available for free. However, the reliability of the content may be difficult to assess, leaving you on your own to determine what to believe or not. And as the old adage goes - you get what you pay for.

Reputable event organizers filter that content for you. Not willing to risk their own brands, they only want to work with qualified subject matter experts who have a track record of good performance. By seeing and listening to a live presentation, you also have an opportunity to engage the speaker (either directly or indirectly through other audience members) and make your own assessment on the value and credibility of the material they present.

One of the most valuable and often overlooked benefits that live events present is the opportunity to network, interact and learn from peers. Many times the brief exchanges I make at conferences more than justify the cost as they introduce new relationships and opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise had.

It's tough to put a price on that kind of value, and almost impossible to make happen online.

At an online marketing conference in San Diego that I recently attended, I was able to run some ideas by peers who worked in other industries and get immediate feedback from perspectives outside of my own company.

That can pretty tough to do online, even with discussion forums where identities are verified. As powerful as the written word is, it’s never the same as shaking someone’s hand and looking at them eye to eye.

However, I’ve been to a few internet marketing conferences and training events where the speakers were more focused on selling their books than helping the attendees with their problems. If you’re thinking about an investment in an online or internet marketing conference, find someone who’s attended in the past and ask them what they thought of the program.

If they won't recommend it, find out if they've attended others that they though offered good value and that they would consider attending again.