Logan Thompson

Getting The Most Out Of Affiliate Summit

Posted on 14. Jan, 2010 by Logan in Conferences

Affiliate Summit is January17-19 and I hope you’re going. The Summit is a must attend event for every affiliate who is serious about growing their business. With the event in Vegas coming up this weekend, I wanted to give you a few pointers on how to make the most out of your time in Vegas (or New York if you’re from the future and are reading this).

Your Contact Information

One of the most important things about attending Affiliate Summit is meeting new people. For the people you will meet you want to be able to contact them again in the future. Bring business cards, pokens, iPhone bump, whatever to share your info with people you want to, but be careful. Giving your business card to anyone who asks will turn into a pain in the butt later. You are going to get called, emailed, and even old school snail mailed from companies and people you don’t really care to do business with. Use your brain when giving out your info.

Nickycakes wrote a great article that I thought was a bit crazy at first, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I am still getting a few emails from people I didn’t even talk to at the Affiliate Summit in New York who ended up with my card.

Also, DON’T be a business card whore. There is no prize for collecting the most cards. Yeah, you have generated leads, but at what cost and what quality. People like to work best with people they’ve had a good discussion with first before giving out their card.

Sessions

The sessions at Affiliate Summit are either hit or miss. If this is your first time, don’t think that you are going to learn a ton of info from the sessions. Most of them seem to be a slightly watered down sales pitch from the speakers giving them. There are a few diamonds in the rough, so make sure to do your research on the speakers before going to their session. Don’t just read their bio from Feedfront, but do a search on them if you don’t know who they are. Do you really want to learn something such as Facebook advertising from someone with a poor business reputation?

Also, don’t worry about filling every time slot with a session just because you have a platinum pass. If none of the sessions during that time slot look worth your time, take a break, visit the conference hall, or better yet meet with another affiliate or affiliate manager you currently work with and discuss ways to increase your business.

Networking & Events

Honestly the most valuable part of Affiliate Summit is the networking. In Vegas there are going to be over 4000 people there, which makes a lot of potential people you can meet and learn from. Do all you can to get out and make the most of the many events that are being hosted by different companies attending the summit. Go to parties, dinners, the poker tournament, etc. The more you get out, the more you have a chance of meeting people. There are definitely some interesting people in this industry. Although they might not look like you, act like, or think like you, you can learn a ton from them. Get out and meet some people.

Here are a few lists of events happening to go to:

• Parties and Special Events during Affiliate Summit West 2010
• The REAL ASW 2010 Party List

Final Thoughts

First of all, if your an affiliate manager, make sure to have a good sales pitch because affiliates are tired of hearing the same thing from every network. Check out Ad Hustlers Tips for Affiliate Managers at Affiliate Summit which is a must read.

Second, have a good time. Relax, have fun, meet new people, hang out with friends, and always be learning.

If you see me walking around, say hi. I’d love to meet you.

Tags: affiliate summit