Updated: August 31, 2012
Nearly every person who achieves great success always knows the moment momentum swung in their direction. I remember my moment well. A hot and humid June in New Orleans … in 2005, just a few months before Hurricane Katrina hit. What happened in the Bayou?
PubCon happened.
While I had ten years of experience in web design in SEO at the time, I was just doing “okay” in my business … not great. I wanted greatness. I knew I had the knowledge and the drive, but I was missing a few key pieces. But I had no idea what those pieces were.
I had been a member of Webmaster World for about four years and I was always impressed with the knowledge the senior members shared. People like tedster, pageoneresults, incrediBILL, engine, g1smd, and countless others.
It just made sense that if I was going to turn the corner, I had to go to where all these people were. And go I did.
I still remember walking into the kick-off session an hour early and seeing Brett Tabke, who runs Webmaster World. I walked up and introduced myself. While I expected a brief chat, Brett took the time to ask about me, my business and what I hoped to get out of PubCon. “It’s not about attending all the sessions that you can Jerry, it is about meeting people, asking questions, meeting vendors and building relationships. You can’t just sit in the back of the room and expect people to come to you, you have to go them. PubCon started as a networking event and it still is. You have to take what you learn and actually do something with it.”
Taking what you learn and actually do something with it…those words stuck with me.
Almost every session I attended, I sat in the front, took notes, asked questions, followed up with the speakers afterwards and also those around me. I was bound and determined to figure out what I was missing. Before going to the next session I wrote down at least one thing I would do that night with my campaigns.
After the first day concluded, I went back to my room and the temptation was there to go to Bourbon Street and have a great time. But I had to keep my focus and apply what I had learned while it was fresh in my mind. Despite the obvious distraction, I kept my focus and applied each technique I had written down to my campaigns, closed my laptop and went out.
Upon returning back to the hotel, I checked email and usually I have 2-3 notices of sales during the evening, but this night I had 16. Seriously? 16? Awesome!!
I did the same thing on Day Two … sat in the front, asked questions, met more people, exchanged contact information, but today the exhibit hall was open. I spent a few hours talking to new merchants and building new relationships. That night was the “Meet the Google Engineers” party. Since I had preregistered, I was the first one through the door. I had more than 20 minutes of uninterrupted time with an engineer over search and I showed him all the issues and problems I was having. He gave me insight I hadn’t considered and once again, I returned to the room, applied the things I had learned to my campaigns and then went out.
When I got back to the room, I had 23 more orders than usual. First night 16, then 23, and after the third day, I had 28 more orders during a span when I would normally have 2-3. Was PubCon worth it? Absolutely. But the key was taking what I learned, molding it to my industry, applying it as soon as possible, tracking the results and making modifications where needed.
The bottom line is, I would not be where I am in my career today without the help of Brett Tabke and PubCon. So, if you’re stuck and you’re struggling with your campaigns, get to PubCon in Las Vegas October 15-18. It could be the best decision of your career like it was mine.
If you go, make sure you go and introduce yourself. I’ll be presenting on quite a few session from the Panda/Penguin SEO fiasco to affiliate marketing and even a session on code installation – which I will have a unique spin on. See you there!
Use coupon code: rc-9941020 to get 20% off and get your ticket today as the price goes up tomorrow.
Rick says
If only people knew that they key is to apply what they learn! Wait, I should be applying what I know and doing it sooner rather than later! :)
Joe says
The last pubcon event in Vegas was definitely worthwhile. Unfortunately wont be attending this one though.
Neil Shearing says
Have a great time in Austin, Jerry!
Jerry West says
@ Rick – Absolutely, that is what I have found it the biggest hurdle for most people. Not putting it into action.
@ Joe – That’s because you are a slacker and you left early last time. :)
@ Neil – thanks, I can’t believe over the last ten years we haven’t run into each other at a conference.
Mannatech says
PubCon is the place to be if Jerry’s there!!
Larry says
Nice article Jerry,
That was my first pubcon also :)
That trip was a changer for me too! I remember being in the room and Brett (or the moderator) asked people to raise their hands if you made $1000 a month, then 5K, then 10, then 25 and 50K and then even more a month…
My hand went down early, but I was at awe to see the hands still up?
I was like… WOW…. i’m in the wrong business.
I was doing web design/consulting for clients.
That trip was the eye opening moment that I need to be in business for myself.
Drive my own traffic to my own sites and make money for myself.
“I was too until I learned”…
that was the response to many people I met, when I said… “yeah.. I’m a consultant”
:)
see you there!
Geno Prussakov says
Good post, Jerry.
Looking forward to the “Essentials Overlooked by 90% of Affiliate Managers” panel we’ll both participate in, and certainly your “SEO in a Box” session too.
Keith Baxter says
Goodness, I have to see you AGAIN!!?!!?
Geez
;-)
Keith
Barry Byers says
Thanks for the heads up Jerry. My daughter (you met) goes to UT Austin. Gives me a good excuse to go down there.
Jon says
Well, the usual banal advice is apply what you learn. I think the real key is be discerning and learn what is worthwhile to learn. What I get from this is that Jerry was intelligent enough to go to PubCon and not to some pitchfest or IM forum to learn. Having learned truly valuable information, then, of course, you apply it. Otherwise what’s the point? That is just common sense. Finding what one needs to know–that takes intelligence and discernment.
Olan Butler says
You guys are too funny!!! Seriously, PubCon sounds like the place to be! Wouldn’t mind being a millionaire either.
Jerry West says
@ Larry – Yeah, I remember that too. Doing consulting seems like easy money, but it is basically still working for someone else. It is amazing what happens when you are freed from that.
@ Geno – Looking forward to the session we’re doing together and meeting you!
@ Keith – No response is required.
@ Barry – Come down, will be great to catch-up.
@ Jon – You nailed it. Stay away from the pitch feasts. There is a definite difference from the crowds at those compared to the ones at PubCon. PubCon is the real deal because of the attendees it attracts.
Keith Baxter says
Seriously, save a night for me.
I owe you an awesome dinner.
Keith
dona colemine says
Human mind thinks fast but takes less action I created multiple ad sense sites hoping that someday I will make money. But, finally I only focused one travel site and started making good money. Now I started working on a site which is my core competency and passion. I learned a big secret that never leave an unfinished work and I make it a habit now. Thanks to Jerry’s ebook to get some insight. I am unfortunate that I can not attend the seminar as I am not an US resident. Thanks Jerry.
[Blocked by CFC] Jerry West says
Dona, They have PubCon events in London each summer.
David Bullock says
As always Jerry, well said.
The key is DOING something with the experience.
Information without action is worthless. Thanks for the gentle reminder.
Be well fellow Rainmaker.
David Bullock
marteen says
The above statement is seen to be contradictory. The situation is very critical and need an experience complainer to resolve it.
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Home Ebooks says
Yes do have PubCon events in London,I did attend last time.It was a great event explaining the human behavior.
__________
Vic
alyssabaker says
Hi
I think that Definitely commend Google in their openness with the SEO community and webmasters in general. We may whine and moan about areas we don’t see eye-to-eye on (paid search penalty comes to mind) but overall it is really nice to have such great communication with a company like Google.
barricas says
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Piers Ede says
It’s gonna be a stretch to get there from the UK but you’ve really inspired me. I’m going to try. Thanks for the coupon – that will make it easier!
Pooya Kesh says
Dear Jerry,
I wish I could attend to PubCon this year…
Waiting for your next update of your Google Best Practices ebook…