I’ve had a few days to recover from Affiliate Summit West 2012 and have been thinking about what I learned this time around. I know for me, that my experience keeps getting better each time I go. I learn a little bit more each time about what I want to get out of the experience. Here are ten things that I learned at Affiliate Summit West 2012:
- Strengthening Relationships – I don’t live close to many of my “internet friends” as I like to call them and traveling to conferences is usually my only chance of seeing them. While there are many ways to keep in touch (twitter, Facebook, Skype, etc) there is nothing quite like having a face to face conversation.
- Meeting New People – While it is nice to see old friends, it is also good to make new ones. This time around I was happy to meet some people that I only knew through Twitter including a very funny and flattering one with someone (I don’t want to name names, but thank you for making my day).
- Little Conversations Matter – While I think it is important to go to the Affiliate Summit Sessions, I also find great value in having even quick conversations with people. You never know what you might pick up.
- Help Others Out – The first morning I was sitting down to breakfast with my roommate Kim Rowley when Eric Souza came by. We had a really nice conversation about his wife’s website and what he could do with it. We were able to share some ideas that I hope he was able to use and I got the chance to do some brainstorming. I also call these a “you know more than you think you do session” and I come away very inspired. Plus the website is in a related niche to one of my own and we may be able to work together in the future.
- Vision vs. Sight – Everybody has sight but not everyone has a vision. I learned this from Eric Thomas in his keynote speech. Every day since then I have visualized where I want to be and what success means for me.
Eric the Hip Hop Preacher Thomas
- Keep a To-Done Book – I really enjoyed the Mastermind Groups Exposed session and one of the takeaways for me was the idea of keeping a list of all the things you accomplished in the day. I have many days where I don’t think I accomplished much but in reality many things were done. It will be nice to see that and have a record over time.
- Schedule Some Things – Most of the time I attend a conference I don’t make too many plans in advance and try to go with the flow. Well this time around I didn’t get to have much time with one of my friends or our traditional martinis and I’m really disappointed it didn’t work out. Next time I will have more of a plan for this to happen.
- The Blogger’s Lounge is Fun – Affiliate Summit East 2011 was the first time I covered the conference as a blogger, but my time was limited and I wasn’t able to spend as much time in the Blogger’s Lounge as I wanted to. This time I was there for the full conference and was able to visit multiple times each day. It was a great place to upload a blog post, do some writing, have a bit of downtime, play a game (Jenga anyone?) and connect with the others that were also covering the conference. Thank you to Heather Smith for taking care of all of us.
- Have Some Fun – While it is a work conference it is also important to have fun. Whether it was hitting the über cool Shareasale party (can you say you have gotten to dance underneath the Eiffel Tower?) or taking in some sightseeing, make some time for fun. It helps to recharge your batteries and connect with people in a different way.
Eiffel Tower
- Follow Up – When someone tells you to email them, contact them on Skype or give them a phone call after the conference then do it. I know I really mean it when I tell someone to do that and other people probably do too.
Also of note: I need to remember to bring a real camera and take more pictures of myself and friends, I look good in a cowboy hat, and bringing a prepaid flat rate postage box would be a good idea to bring home extra stuff.
Thank you to Missy Ward and Shawn Collins for running a really great conference and being so accessible. I really value your friendship and the opportunity to attend.
I would love to know what you learned at Affiliate Summit in the comments below.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: billykay
January 16, 2012 at 4:49 pm
So… does Kim sleep with her award? LOL. All excellent points Shannon. Best/Billy
Twitter: marketingelf
January 16, 2012 at 5:11 pm
I never saw it, but she did complain about a lump in her bed on the last night…
Twitter: sunshinetricia
January 16, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Great post! I could echo pretty much everything you said. And I am glad that you got something out of our Mastermind presentation.
Loved spending more time hanging out with you.
Twitter: marketingelf
January 17, 2012 at 12:02 pm
It was one of the sessions I was most looking forward to and it did not disappoint. Keep me in mind when you vote Todd off the island
Yes, I had so much fun hanging out with you too. So important to remember to have fun at these things!
Twitter: ecsouza
January 17, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Very nice – and thank you and Kim again for sharing your expertise! I passed along everything you said with my wife and she also appreciated your feedback. It was great to get to spend that time … I really do agree that the sessions are great, but some of the best times I’ve had at the summits has been gleaned in the unplanned meetings like this. Thanks again.
Twitter: marketingelf
January 17, 2012 at 2:22 pm
It was great to finally connect Eric and I’m glad that the meeting was helpful. Looking forward to collaborating together in the future.
Twitter: ecsouza
January 17, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Absolutely – I’d like that! Seems like we have much in common … I have worked from home since 2001 and also strive to find that balance between family and work. Fun stuff!!
It was great to have you spend time in the blogger lounge Shannon! You can be sure there will always be interesting networking, conversations and shenanigans when you get 4 Eric(k)s in one room
I already have 2 awesome prizes for the next Jenga championship – the challenge is on!
Twitter: marketingelf
January 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Thank you again Heather for all that you do! All the Eric(k)s sure have made my post-conference follow up tricky.
I can’t wait for the next Affiliate Summit to roll around to see what you have planned!
Thanks for sharing your experience – I definitely agree with #10. It can be crazy to get organized after returning home from Affiliate Summit, but following up with all of your new (and old) contacts is really important for the coming year.
Twitter: marketingelf
January 18, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Jessica, thanks for reading and commenting. Going to affiliate summit is definitely a learning opportunity but I think it is a much more important networking opportunity.