UnSeminar 8 in the Rear View Mirror
Imagine the best weekend of your life. Now imagine it even better. Ask anybody who was there- that’s what UnSeminar8 was.
If you haven’t attended one, it’s probably hard to imagine an Internet Marketing (Un)Seminar as being “the best weekend of your life.” If you have attended one, then you know what I mean. As the last stragglers left the Vitale Cigar Bar Monday evening, you could tell they really didn’t want to go. Facebook and Twitter have been a storm of pictures, stories and “I miss you already” posts. Several people have asked me if we can have another one next weekend!
UnSeminar8
Of course, there is a LOT of “how to make money online” information being passed around. We focus on “newbie” Internet Marketers, and even people who had never considered making money online left Austin last weekend with a clear picture of how to do that.
More importantly, UnSeminars are a family reuinion. A gathering of the tribe. Hugs. Help. Encouragement.
Bill Hibbler at UnSeminar8
Unlike most seminars, the speakers are encouraged to mingle with the attendees. Two of them, Connie Ragen Green and Erica Douglass, actually did three-hour mini-seminars of their own. For free. Need help setting up your blog? Curious about the fastest way to start making money online? If you wanted to know, they wanted to help. The other speakers joined the party.
Friday and Saturday nights were networking parties. The hotel moved a private bar into the seminar room. Live musicians entertained us. Outside, those of us who enjoy cigars had satellite mastermind sessions.
Patrick ran sound.
I heard it over and over: “This is the best seminar I’ve ever been to.”
I’ve got a theory about why UnSeminars keep getting better and better. The people who belong there keep coming back. We had attendees from all seven previous UnSeminars at UnSeminar8. When I asked for a show of hands for how many people had attended at least one UnSeminar, 80% of the room raised their hand. My theory is that the first-timers take their cues from the veterans. UnSeminars are about helping each other. Encouraging each other. The people who “got it” joined right in.
Laureen Falco beaming. She brought jewelry and candles.
I think the same thing happens with the speakers. We had several first-time speakers at this UnSeminar. The first-timers took their cues from the veterans, and by the time the pizza party rolled around on Saturday, they were all hugging and helping like crazy. I suspect the next event will be even better.
Speaking of which, I know I announced that this would be the last UnSeminar that I host “this way.” Let’s talk about that for a minute. I’m going to split UnSeminars up into two different kinds of events. For those who want the UnSeminar experience and a survey of a lot of information, we’ll have events for you. However, I’d like to teach some more advanced concepts and drill down a lot deeper on some subjects. So, we’ll have other events that are more like workshops for people who want to “go deep.”
Tony Laidig and Warren Whitlock.
By the time I got there with the equipment truck on Thursday there were several attendees milling around. The set-up went smoothly, which is always surprising. The only time I see this gear is when we put on an UnSeminar. After I confirmed that everything was working, I joined a group by the pool. Colin Joss, our copywriting expert, passed around some delicious cigars. It was a cool summer evening in Austin, and as more and more people showed up we stole more and more of the surprisingly heavy chairs from the pool-side cabanas. Warren Whitlock talked about social networking and the various places he’s been speaking lately. Tony Laidig, the public domain guru, filled us in on what he’s been up to lately. So much has happened since then I can’t remember who all was there- but we stayed up late, talking and catching up.
Jeff Crilley being entertaining.
Friday morning the UnSeminar began. By lunch time, we were “standing room only.”
Friday night, the plan was to have the party in the seminar room. I had reserved a smaller room for break-out sessions, and Erica offered to help people set up their blogs and to teach them some Internet Marketing basics. She had so many takers that they wouldn’t fit in the break-out room, so we gave her the big room and the party spread out. One group went outside with drinks and cigars. Mathew and I threw down some blues in the break-out room.
At some point, I must have gone to bed. I’m assuming everybody else did, too, but… at UnSeminars, sleep is optional. Some of the best stuff happens late at night.
Jeff handed out bubble making kits to the audience, and then ran through the room with his bubble machine.
Saturday morning, we commenced with the Unseminar. I won’t detail every speaker, but Jeff Crilley and his bubble machine was certainly a high point.
After lunch, the lights dimmed, the piano and synthesizer were brought to the front of the stage, and Lawrence Ball performed for about an hour. Lawrence is a respected composer whose latest project was with Pete Townshend of “The Who.” Here’s how bad I wanted to hear Lawrence play- I bought a piano. Of course, now the piano is in my living room, but the reason I bought it was so that Lawrence could perform on it.
The house was packed, the music was inspirational, and Lawrence was brilliant. He looked stunning in his astronaut suit, which I’m still unclear on, but he definitely stood out under the spotlights.
Then, on with the UnSeminar.
Warren Whitlock explains social networking.
Did I mention that at UnSeminars “sleep is optional” is the rule? Saturday night put a whole new meaning on that phrase. Connie had her break-out session going in the break-out room. Guitar, harmonica and piano music wafted from the big room where a large group of attendees were hanging out, and we were all relaxing after a long day of excellent speakers and great music.
I was outside, it was midnight and I was about four glasses of cabernet sauvignon down, smoking an excellent cigar and talking with a circle of friend when Betsy came out and told me that I needed to come inside. I explained that I was fine where I was and I didn’t want to come inside. She repeated that I NEEDED to come inside.
Inside, I discovered that the air conditioner had died in the seminar room. We needed to tear down the PA system, the lights, the cameras and the projector and screen and move them to the other end of the hotel. If we intended to have an UnSeminar on Sunday, it all had to be moved. Mics had to be checked. Cameras had to be checked. Computers set up, projector and screen tuned in.
Warren on stage.
I’ve learned that it doesn’t pay to argue with reality. So Craig, my right-hand man, Patrick, my son and sound engineer, and about a dozen more or less sober attendees schlepped the gear to the other end of the hotel and set it up. By 2 AM everything that could possibly be tested had been, and I headed for my suite where I completely failed to go to sleep until 4:30.
By 8:00 I was in the seminar room, confirming that everything had made it through the night safely. I don’t remember much of Sunday, but they tell me the UnSeminar went smoothly, which is a testimony to Craig and Patrick’s professionalism.
Sunday night, after hugs and good-byes to the speakers and attendees who had to catch airplanes, we loaded the equipment truck and headed home. But it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Jeff Crilley signing books.
By the time I got to Brewster’s Pizza Monday afternoon it was packed with UnSeminarians eating the best pizza in the galaxy and drinking Bruce’s hand-made beer. By this time, it felt like a combination of a family reunion and the last day at summer camp. Unlike summer camp, though, deals were being made. Partnerships and friendships were being cemented. Last minute lessons were being given.
Then, Dr. Joe Vitale zoomed into the parking lot with his new Spyker sports car, and the party moved outside. Pictures were taken. I’ve ridden in that thing, and it’s scary fast and looks like it’s going 90 mph when it’s standing still.
Bill Hibbler and Tony Laidig with Helena.
Then, the party moved to the Vitale Cigar bar. There was plenty of deck space for the people who didn’t want to smoke, and plenty of people who crowded into the cigar bar.
Mindy Audlin signs a book.
Later, (yes… later), we watched the sun set over the Texas Hill Country from the deck in front of the cigar bar.
Elaine Ireland had a LOT of people sign her book.
Since then, the UnSeminar has continued online. We’re all staying in touch on Facebook and Twitter, and thousands (literally) of photos have been posted online.
So, what does it all mean?
Dr. Joe Vitale explains it all.
Well, aside from the bonding, the high point for me was watching the Portable Empire System at work. The Portable Empire system works, if you actually use it. I felt some pretty intense pride watching some of my coaching students blossom. Some of them were green as a granny smith apple when we started working together. Now, they’re rocking. They’ve got businesses: products, sales pages, lists, JVs. Some of them are now teaching others- and it makes me proud to see them take what they’ve learned and 1) use it and 2) spread the word.
Connie Ragen Green being riveting. Without her cigar.
My ultimate goal is to completely change the way the world works. Nobody should have to work at a soul-stealing job. I’m looking forward to the day when employers are begging for employees. You can easily replace your standard “day job” in a year if you learn and use the Portable Empire system. And, if you really want to work for somebody else, the demand curve will be on your side. If employers are begging for employees, then they’re going to have to pay fair wages and provide a nurturing work environment.
Connie with her cigar.
Changing the world is hard work, and it won’t happen overnight. But, I’ve planted some seeds. When I watch my students teaching their students, and I listen in, I realize that the movement is taking hold. Thousands of people have attended unseminars. Hundreds have gone through my coaching programs. And many thousands more have read one of my books. I see it at UnSeminars and in my coaching program, and get emails from all over the world. Not everybody is cut out to be an entrepreneur, but for those who are the tools are there. I don’t have to wonder if it works- I can see it working.
Mindy Audlin explaining “What if Up?”
So, what’s next?
Well, I’ve got a book to write. Students to coach. Software to launch. And in a couple of weeks, LaRoja and I are heading West on vacation, so I’ll be writing and coaching from some fairly interesting places.
Lawrence Ball and a fan.
When’s the next UnSeminar?
I never know. I’m making this up as I go along. If you’re on my list, you’ll know about it first. Sign up at the top of the page- on the right.
Connie and me. And our cigars. Moose bites can be pretty nasty, you know…
In the long run, I see some very interesting things happening. It’s all about phones and the cloud, when it comes to technology. Africa and some other areas that have behind the curve getting wired and unwired are going to become more important to Internet Marketers. Video will continue to dominate, but the proliferation of ebook readers is going to create a terrific opportunity for those of us who write.
Lawrence, in his astronaut suit, performing Saturday afternoon.
But, ultimately, success is all about relationships. Like the ones we made at UnSeminar8. The days of putting your brochure online and waiting for people to find you are over. Internet Marketing is now, more than ever, about conversations. Listening is the most valuable skill you can develop- if you listen, people will tell you what they want. Your job is to listen, and then provide what they want.
The basics will always apply, but the winners will roll with the changes.
Wendi had the whole room dancing.
Enjoy the pics- leave a comment- and stay tuned.
Wendi on stage being hypnotic and outrageous.
UnSeminar8. Sunday afternoon.
Eppie and Mathew jamming.
Marlon Sanders, Bill Hibbler, Warren Whitlock and Rich hanging out.
The line to get Joe’s autograph was as long as the room. Joe gave everybody a copy of his new book.
Dinner.
Joe’s Spyker.
The best pizza in the galaxy.
4 Responsesto “UnSeminar 8 in the Rear View Mirror”
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Hey Pat, Thanks again for inviting me to speak at Un8! What a fantastic event… I’m still buzzing from all the good juju.
oops, “this” should be “there” in my post. I’m glad there will be another Unseminar because I want to be there. Hope you can give a heads up of 2 months or more.
Yeah, the pizza does look green. It’s the color of money. Maybe there were ones with “golden” pineapple and “silver” mushrooms too.
Wow, it must have been awesome. I’m so very glad that you’ve changed your mind–that this will be another Unseminar. Hope to meet y’all then.
Wonderful times, no doubt! You do know how to put on a show! Yikes re: Saturday night move… I had not heard about that!
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful crowd.
Is that pizza green?