Thread: New Topics for July Webinar?

Originally Posted by Luigi2Times

Sean,

i did "how to determine if your business idea is practical before you launch" at the first webinar.

and I was thinking that a member would talk about what they currently do and what questions they would like to see answered on issues they are facing. I guess it would be redundant though since 1). people in this thread are already nominating topics they'd like to see discussed and 2). too many variables for us to help someone answer a question in a business they know more about.

So never mind, but I only bring it up because I would like to put a "face" (or voice/industry) to the screen names.

Maybe we can start a separate thread based on that idea. I like the idea for networking possibilities.

I simply suggested an idea based on talks I've had with others interested in starting their own business that received good praise.


Best of luck with this Revved

I'd volunteer to do something on "Working with non-profits... How to profit while helping the needy" That sounds almost sinister, lol. What I mean by that, is too many businesses are looking to 'make a buck' and don't consider giving back to the community. I really had a gut check when one of my past business partners mentioned that to me... "Hey, why dont we consider giving back to the community? Not only is it beneficial for them, but it puts us in a good light, and it's rewarding on many levels."

I took that to heart and I'm working with a non-profit right now for an event on July 9 in Vegas. The Adam & Eve Love Fling Charity auction. We're the sole digital advertisers for the event, and it's already bringing us big business... just by helping them and not charging a cent (although I came out of pocket fairly deep), it's most likely going to reward us 10-fold... Just a thought.

There have been other "networking" threads started in the business forum where people have posted up the businesses they are in. The only thing that makes me nervous is that it dances on the line of being unfair to sponsors that pay for the right to advertise what they do on the forum.

If Jay is sponsoring the webinar and I let someone else who is in a marketing/ advertising business get up and talk about their business for free it isn't fair to the guy who has written the check to support the project. Jay's product is very niche so it may not be the best example but hopefully you guys see where it could go bad- but the same could go for just about any arena- web design, custom wheels, etc...

I am good with the idea of someone coming to me before the webinar and presenting me with an organized question that they want to pose to our audience regarding an issue they are experiencing in their business. We've kind of been doing this in the Q&A time but if you guys want more of that type of real life discussion I'd be willing to cut out the third topic and make it a "member business talk" block. The benefit of posing the question to me before hand is to be sure it will be something of discussion and not a "30 second rebuttal- ok I didn't think about that- I'm done."

Let me know your thoughts!


And for Jay's comment above regarding pro-bono work- is that it always pays you back in spades as long as you make yourself known for doing the work. I know some of us don't like making a big deal about the work we do to help people out but when it comes to making a business decision to provide charity services for a worthy cause your pay and/or reward is in the exposure. I'm sure all of us have done work for clients and not charged them at one point or another to make sure a job was done right- if you don't make your client understand the additional value you provided him with the free services you have just made your investment of time worthless vs. if you let your client know that you are providing him with additional value by doing this extra here and there for free (with tact- don't toot your own horn)- not only does it illustrate to your client that you have gone the extra mile but it also earns you bonus points should there be an issue down the line with a future service; ie. came in slightly over budget, misunderstanding... you have already earned the trust.

Originally Posted by Revved

If Jay is sponsoring the webinar and I let someone else who is in a marketing/ advertising business get up and talk about their business for free it isn't fair to the guy who has written the check to support the project. Jay's product is very niche so it may not be the best example but hopefully you guys see where it could go bad- but the same could go for just about any arena- web design, custom wheels, etc...

Understand your point.

In my opinion, these communities are here for everyones enjoyment and benefit. If I was sponsoring an event, or webinar, if a fellow member had a business relating to the topic and wanted to contribute, I would feel it could only make the presentation better.

If that's not the general consensus, that is fine. I have always kept an open arm for others, including many forum members I have helped and am currently helping, and always will. However, this is not my world. I like the idea of this and will try to contribute anyway possible.

I'd like information on sponsoring something such as this with the topic of everyone being able to talk about their business and what they do.

Best

Contact Sean via PM and he'll get you the information to sponsor. With all due respect, I paid a handsome amount to get this webinar kicked off for a 6-month period of time. I am all for everyone communicating and letting one another know about their businesses and such. However, if I have a competing company present while I'm sponsoring - that is counterintuitive to what I've just paid my money to sponsor. I paid the money, and you as a competitor (not saying you are a direct competitor - but for the sake of example) get to promote off my dime. I have an issue with that.

If you're concerned with networking and knowing what businesses people are involved with, check the L4P Linkedin group.

If you decide to sponsor in the future and don't mind your competitors presenting alongside you - go for it.

J

JPatterson,

Thanks for the permission to go ahead how I like.

Never did I say that's what you should do, it clearly states that is what I would do. It also states that I understood Seans stand point.

I was under the impression that there were plenty of different topics covered, with many different people speaking on each. Are you some how saying every speaker like Michael (Lightweight), for example, did a presentation about your business? If not, what business did he talk about? There had to be some type of corroboration of information being presented. Hard numbers, facts, research, and analysis of the topic, correct? Am I missing something?

My post simply stated my point of view on what I thought the webinar was based on. I thought this was a system to teach others about conceptualizing, creating, growing, and maintaining a business. I had no idea it was a webinar based on one company, aka the sponsor. I in no way insinuated what you, JPatterson, should do. I in no way said that I don't agree with the way you're doing it. Matter of fact, after speaking with Michael I actually gave you praise for being part of something that helped someone as ambitious with him.

Take it how you want it, your prerogative. I honestly had no idea this was for advertising someones business. Now that you made that clear, more power to it. Im still interested.

Oh, and with all due respect, if Im concerned with something I will handle it how I see fit.

Best.


PS- Sean, you have a PM.

I think you misinterpreted what the differences between webinar, presentations, and sponsoring was about. Have you attended a webinar yet to see what it's all about? Like you stated, these webinars are to help aspiring entrepreneurs gain knowledge and insight into how to proceed in different aspects of business. It is NOT simply advertising for my business, but I sure didn't put up money to sit aside and let another company speak on behalf of my industry.

Never once did I say that every presenter had to speak on behalf of my business - that's nonsense. You're correct, in that Michael and other presenters would, and should, speak about their experiences and such. However, presenting for the purpose of advertising and speaking about a niche that the sponsor already has covered should be avoided. Maybe that's where we differ. Agree to disagree maybe.

Now back to the topic of what this thread is about - what topics should be voted on for July's webinar?

+1 back on topic please.

The webinars have been extremely powerful in their purpose, which is to cover with great detail the topics people want to hear from threads like these. The webinars simply bring great minds together on essential business elements.

sorry to have started all of this. I never meant anyone should simply stand up and say what they do; rather I was wondering if people wanted to have an ending segment to ask questions off topic on other things they were seeking advice for within their business ventures (and eventually down the road we would get to know everyone better). ---> I took back this thought since we basically already have been doing this in the general Q&A after all topics have been completed. plus we will get to know everyone anyway when they contribute to the topics at every webinar.


so any other topics guys?? lets get them up.

Got your PM Exxile and one sent back to you!

Last word on this to clarify for everyone.

The purpose of these webinars is education. I volunteer my time because I have a passion for education and honestly the more I facilitate teaching this stuff the more you learn and the more I learn. Secondary purpose of these webinars is to grow our business forum as a community. I'm a strong believer in a forum of the people and by the people. I want to everyone of you to become involved in this project, present in this project, learn from this project.

When we originally started out this project I looked at several different webinar programs and I really felt that this one was the best for our needs and with quality comes cost. We have been very fortunate to have sponsors like JPatterson that have stepped up to help us cover those costs. I have been approached by several other people that have expressed interest in sponsoring the webinar either as a business or as a private individual. I, as the organizer have to balance the business decisions of this project versus the educational spirit of it and supporting those who support it.

The sponsors support the finanical needs of the webinar and are given advertising in exchange but in no way affect the presentations that are given. The topics are suggested and voted on by members of the forum; they are researched, built, and presented by the members of the forum to the audience members of the forum. Those contributing members that have shown their steel and have presented deserve our appreciation for volunteering their time; and each receives L4P swag from Rawmean. They all have lives, some have families, and jobs or businesses to run but they see the importance in what they receive from investing that time in teaching as they themselves also learn along the way.

The sponsors do what they do because they see the benefit in helping YOU. I do what I do because I see the benefit in helping YOU. The presenters do what they do for the benefit of YOU.

Being an entrepreneur is not a spectator sport- either get involved or go get a J O B.