I am often asked which conferences I recommend. There is only one that I have attended every year since 2005 and that’s Webmaster World/PubCon. Why? It kicks ass. Google is there. Some of the best webmasters and affiliates in the world are there. Do you need a better reason? Oh, yeah, it’s in Vegas!
But if that wasn’t enough, Brett Tabke, owner of WebmasterWorld and the host of PubCon has asked me to be a speaker on Affiliate Marketing again.
PubCon: Las Vegas this November 8-11, 2010
If you haven’t scheduled to go yet, I would highly recommend it. In fact, today is the last day to get discount pricing. PubCon is both affordable and worthwhile. My first PubCon was back in the summer of ’05 in New Orleans, just before Katrina hit. It was THE turning point in my career and things I learned from the sessions, hallway discussions and from talking with the Google engineers I literally put into play each evening while in New Orleans and I saw results, real results.
And if you don’t go for any other reason than to come and hear me speak, that would be killer. PubCon is what you make of it. If you keep to yourself it will suck. Introduce yourself. Talk to other webmasters. Buy them drinks. Share your knowledge and they will do the same. Webmaster World is hands down the best community around.
Here are some of my favorite moments from the past PubCons (all pictures taken by me – except for the first one, of course).
I spoke on the Affiliate Marketing panel during PubCon 2009. I always struggle when speaking on affiliate marketing as it is what I do that supports 80% of my business. What do you share? What do you keep private? It is a hard line to walk.
So, what I decided to do was give the same type of advice I received at PubCon over four years ago that really jump-started my campaigns. It wasn’t that I had to get smarter, I just had to DO stuff. Stop the whining, the bitching and the moaning and just get stuff done. It worked.
If you’d like a great summary of my presentation, Lisa Barone over at OutSpoken Media, did a great write-up.
Photo courtesy of Scott Hendison, one of the best SEO consultants out there.
Here is Jeremy Zawodny of Yahoo! sporting a “Supermanish” t-shirt underneath his regular shirt.
Jake Baillie is one of my favorite presenters at PubCon due to his no-nonsense approach and wealth of knowledge which can actually be implemented in your business. Much of what I know about competitive intelligence can be attributed to Jake.
His motto is simple: “Use the Damn Internet!” … as too many people are lazy to figure things out themselves by tapping into this killer resource at the tips of your fingers. If Jake is presenting, make sure you catch him.
I’m almost always on the front row as I’m less likely to be distracted and conversations between the presenters are often audible. :-)
I try to relax at night during PubCon and this time I went a Red Sox game.
The bottom line is … if you need a jump start to your business, you should seriously consider investing in PubCon this fall. I would not be where I am in my career if I didn’t take the plunge five years ago and go. Oh, and Brett is putting on a special training all day on Nov. 7th which I have purchased a ticket to go to. I have no doubt that it will be killer as well.
And in case you are wondering, I don’t get a dime for promoting PubCon. See you there!!
Scott says
Oh my gosh – You look like a little kid there at Fenway! I still wish I’d gone to the game with you that night to hear all the stuff that blackhat guy gave up after you bought him those beers… ;) Thanks for the photo props, and I’ll see you in Vegas! i’m speaking again too, although still haven’t confirmed the session(s).
Readers, yes, come to Pubcon!
Jason Jell says
I am going for the first time this year! Would love to meet up in person if possible. Drinks on me!
Who else would you recommend seeing? With so many presenters it’s hard to choose.
Jason
[Blocked by CFC] Jerry West says
@ Jason – I’ll be sending out my list when the session list is posted. Scott Hendison will be presenting again on hosting and I would highly recommend him. Jake Baillie didn’t present last year, but if he does, he is a must on competitive intelligence. Greg Boser is always a laugh riot when he does site reviews. His “filter” is completely off which is not only entertaining but you learn a ton.
@ Scott – Yeah, that was back when I wore contacts and the hat covering my grey hair takes 10-15 years off me. :) I am still using many of those techniques I learned from that black hat. That was a great night indeed!