Here’s the first ever video post for my blog. I’m hoping to do more of these in the future. Some will be tips. Some will be tutorials. Some will be rants/commentary. If the videos go well, I may create a feed for subscribing to and downloading them.
This video is my review of the event after attending and speaking at the BlogWorld Expo. We need some more straight talk about these kinds of things so I give you the good, the bad and the ugly. In fact, there was more I didn’t like than I did. The details are in the video.
If you attended BlogWorld Expo, I’d love to hear your thoughts on that matter in the comments. The video is also available on YouTube here.
UPDATE: In fairness there’s one addition that I need to make to my message. Rick Calvert pointed in a voicemail that he did offer me free admission to NEXT year’s BWE as consolation. This is true, however, I saw that as a weak gesture
November 30th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Hey Jason – great to run into you @ BWE. I’m still waiting for my travel expenses to be reimbursed. Based on your experience, hope I don’t have any troubles!
November 30th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Maggie,
Good luck. What your saying actually points out a lie in their communication with me. As “consolation” for not reimbursing me they said “we ONLY paid for a FEW speakers hotel rooms, MOST only received comp reg.” (emphasis mine)
But it looks like they were promising you even more. They wouldn’t even pay me $135 reimbursement. It’s not the money that upsets me. It’s the lack of respect and appreciation that shows.
I hope they follow through on that and you get more respect.
December 1st, 2007 at 12:20 am
You are 100% right and the payment issue is bogus. And I also heard your presentation was great.
All the best
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
Just because someone can speak doesn’t mean they can be called a speaker.
Speaking is a big thing to me. I study my craft, I read up about it and I’m a member of organizations that help enhance my speaking skills.
Too often, I go to events where the majority of speakers suck because they either don’t know how to or bought a booth at the show and use the speaking opportunity to hawk their wares.
I’m interested to see how Tim’s New Media Expo improves now that he’s adopted a revenue share with speakers. Money brings quality and it’s important that organizers protect the integrity of their events by paying speakers.
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:40 pm
They didn’t pay for your registration? Wow… I’m in utter disbelief! Especially considering you filled in for someone and essentially saved their behinds.
What are the chances you’ll provide good “press” for this event next year? None. What a poor event.
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
That is not cool that they don’t even reimbursed your registration. You spoke at two workshops/classes.
They pretty good. It well organized, all the possibility or ways to make moneys, from beginners to advance ways.
I can’t say what I think about Blog World, cause this was the first time I went to any blog/podcast related conventions.
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Sorry, I just read my post, and I just realized, when I said, they pretty good, I meant, YOUR PRESENTATIONS were good. Then I go on to say, YOUR PRESENTATIONS were well organized.
December 2nd, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Jason, I commented on Youtube but wanted to write here also to express my total agreement on what you said about Blog World Expo. From what my blogger friends said, the show itself was very disappointing.
It was also very unprofessional the way the show organizers treated you. But I hope you’ll keep up your speaking appearances at more worthwhile events and conferences.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Hey Jason,
I am amazed that you had to pay an entry fee! This is totally unacceptable. I attended 6 sessions, walked out on every one except for yours. You were the only one with a well organized professional presentation. I told you so at the time and I know the entire audience felt the same way. I gave you an Elsewear shirt in appreciation for your efforts, but if I can find your Tip jar I have no problem paying you for the value you added to my experience!
December 4th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Jason,
You sound great, what headset microphone brand are you using?
Jeff
December 4th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
@BL,
Thanks for your kind words. And thanks again for the shirt. It wasn’t your usual conference shirt–really nice stuff.
@Jeff,
I use the Altec Lansing 302 USB. It does sound really good for a headset, except sometimes there is a high pitch whine that is introduced into the audio. It shouldn’t pick up stuff from the computer because it’s USB. But I just wanted to warn you on that. When it does happen I clean it up with the noise reduction in Audacity.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
A huge thanks to BL who, in a very kind gesture, just sent me money to pay for my entrance fee to BlogWorld. He attended my session there.
Of course, this whole thing was not about the money, but all the same the gesture is very much appreciated.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Jason,
I attended BlogWorld and I’m glad I did. I made two business contacts that have turned into win/win relationships, and found a couple of great applications from the exhibitors.
However, most of the speakers were not very good. It’s one thing to be a good blogger, it’s quite another thing to be a good speaker. One even admitted that he hadn’t prepared in advance and was just winging it.
That being said, I would probably attend again. The networking itself was worth the trip and registration was relatively cheap.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:56 am
I’ve attended too many conferences in 2006-2007 that added little to no value. My plans in 2008? S-e-l-e-c-t-i-v-e. BWE had way too much hype–email after email from marketeers who cross-pollinate endlessly.
Jason, you deliver great value and I respect and admire how you gave your preso your best effort pulling an all- nighter! I’m certain you were one of the highlights at this year’s BWE.
Maybe next year they’ll hire an experienced event planner and decide an ethical strategy from the get go. Not paying for (at least) your entrance costs? Unacceptable.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Jason, keep up the great work! Really enjoy your presentations, including yours at BWE. It was one of the very few good ones at the event. Most bloggers or podcasters don’t need to go to an event where the only benefit is networking. There are much better organized shows with professional staffs and first-rate speakers. My money and my time are too precious.
Making you pay is a joke. I am surprised that Blog World Expo hasn’t tried to contact you after all this. Are they not paying attention, or is there any update from them?
December 5th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
@Jennifer,
I haven’t heard anything from BWE. Either they are not paying attention to what is being blogged about them (odd for a blogging conference) or they are choosing not acknowledge this video–which now has been posted on nine different video sharing sites. My last email to them was ignored.
If the tone of the response to my request to be reimbursed for the entrance fee had been different then maybe I would be more understanding. But it was basically “we did you a favor by ‘letting’ you speak so sorry.”
It demonstrated a lack of respect. If they really don’t have the money then they should at least be a little contrite about the fact that the event was not run as well as it should have been.
@Dee,
Thanks for the kind words. I’m agree with your “selective” philosophy when it comes to choosing conferences–not only in attending but also in where I speak now, too.
@Jay,
Glad to hear you got some valuable contacts from attending. In the end I think the value of these conferences is largely what you make of your time there and the fact that you are surrounded by like-minded individuals.
December 6th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I wouldn’t exactly say what “no one” else will tell you about Blog World. :) See my open letter to Rick Calvert at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasters/message/33911. A shorter version is on the Comments to Rick’s blog at http://www.blogworldexpo.com/blog/2007/11/21/thank-you-everyone/#comments. Basically I DJ’d their Hard Rock Hotel party out of pocket in exchange for promotion and got mucho nada, not even a thank you, much less any mention or conveyed awareness of who I was. The band was shamefully ignored. The show’s speaking agreement was a joke. I revised it and sent back and never got a reply. Sorry to see that my experience was echoed on the professional side. I won’t give them a chance to do it again.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I think the other commenters pretty much sum up my reaction: Blog World Expo was unprofessional, disorganized and now we learn just how poorly they treat the real talent who make shows worthwhile in the first place.
As for Steve the DJ’s comments, he did do a good job but he’s right: the party seemed very disorganized, just like the rest of the show. And read his longer letter at the Yahoo forum if you want to be even more shocked: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/podcasters/message/33911.
It’s sad that’s how Blog World Expo treats people. Don’t go back! I know that I won’t.
December 6th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Jason, Great video. One suggestion: I think you need some bad-ass sunglasses and a leather jacket… Then, at the point where you rip into BWE, you need to remove the sunglasses and deliver an ice cold gaze right at the camera.
December 7th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
I wanted to let everyone know that I got a voicemail from Rick Calvert—head of BWE. So they have responded. As can be expected he was pretty upset.
I still stand by my video. I was simply sharing my experience as I saw it as is (or should be) the M.O. in the blogosphere.
There’s one addition that I need to make. Rick did offer me free entrance to next year’s BWE as consolation. However, I saw it as a weak gesture—especially since the chances are small of that I will attend next year. All the same, I failed to mention that in the video, so in fairness I add it here.
I’ve invited Rick to comment here.
@Adam,
Next time I’m calling you in to produce my videos!
December 9th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Enjoyed your new Video Blog. Sorry to hear about the show effort falling short. People that love what they do are driven to reach goals. You certainly have that drive. The show administrators did not seem to understand what your efforts could have ment to them.
As a SCORE counselor that drive is usually the difference between success and failure. Keep the drive alive. It keeps others going.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Just a thought, wasn’t this event in its first year? Sometimes it takes a year to work out the kinks! Due to the overwhelming response for a need of an event of this type, I thought it was good and would go back next year! The event is what you make it and even if you did speak there, that doesn’t entitle you to anything. You are entitled to your opinion, but just because you didn’t get “paid” doesn’t give you the right to trash talk something that is good for blogging. Maybe you can do it better, so why don’t you start an event like this and we can trash talk your efforts after its first year!
December 12th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Who the hell does “Mike” think he is? Dude seems like either a cohort, a colleague or maybe just an apologist for the organizers of Blog World Expo to me. And “Mike” is not even subtle about it! Too funny.
Honestly I had to crack up at “Mike”‘s letter. So Jason doesn’t have the “right” to “trash talk” the event? What, are we in high school here? HELLO, it’s the blogosphere and people’s reasoned opinions are exactly what we DO WANT.
Another of “Mike”‘s points: Jason should shut up apparently unless he is willing to transform himself into an event planner and create a similar but better event?
Uh, sure, “Mike.” Great idea. Anything critical is “trash talk” and anyone unwilling to be a cheerleader for a sub-par event should “put up or shut up” by starting their own competing event. Get a grip, dude.
Gee, this all makes me wonder if it just may be possible that “Mike” is someone working for, or very similar to a guy named Rick Calvert, the organizer of Blog World Expo.
Jason, much respect for not blocking the “Mike” letter. If this is what you’re getting back from BWE, it’s pretty comical, and pretty sad too.
December 13th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
@Mike,
I have every right to review this event. The points I made in the video are not changed by the fact that they chose not to reimburse my ticket. I shared the impressions that the event left on me.
Regardless of it being in its first year, one glaring point remains which should be of concern to consumers of this show. When BWE told me that they would not reimburse my admission into the show, they said that they would have preferred to just let the session be canceled.
This means that it was not worth paying $131 (a very small amount in comparison to the cost of the overall show) to preserve a session as advertised to attendees. I have a problem with that. Yes, unexpected things will happen, but organizers should do what they can to put the show on as advertised.
This was not a fringe session either. It was podcast monetization–clearly a popular topic given the attendance to my session.
This is not about the money for me. I don’t need that $131. It’s about respect for conference attendees and speakers.
P.S. The language of your comment is very similar to communications sent to me by email from BWE.
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Nice post Jason. I think your points are really valid.
The PME was in Ontario and its quite different than doing an event in Vegas. Rick and his crew defiantly need to iron out the bugs but comparing the two is not fair. I did the same thing on my blog and now I am feeling like I made a mistake.
Tim has a very passionate group of podcasters who were excited that anyone was noticing them at all when it started. Where Blogworld is a different beast it is about Bloggers. The podcasting element was small. And thats your niche. I saw some really great speakers though- the case study from Yamaha, some affiliate marketing talks all directly helped me with some of my clients.
Did you sell a lot of books from your speaking at Blogworld? How about getting any folks to sign up for your newsletter? How many new listeners to your podcasts? I think any speaking engagement in front of your audience is golden opportunity.
I had a great time at Blogworld made some cool contacts and saw some good and bad speakers. Much like the PME which I have attended each year they have had it.
I will be attending Blogworld and the PME again in 2008. I love the audience at both for connections I like that some speaker aren’t polished and I can still extract some good information. If not I can walk out. Rick like Tim has done, will weed out the really crappy and salesy ones as the show grows.
Just an FYI I bought your book after hearing you speak.
Keep the commentary coming!
Mike