Why I’m Going Back To NAMS

Alright, it’s been more than a week since we drove away from a cold Atlanta to return to the even colder Michigan.

My road trip buds: Kim Smith, Tishia Lee & Cindy Bidar

I’ve had a lot of time to ponder what it was that I loved so much about the Niche Affiliate Marketing System event and why I bought my ticket for the next conference before I even got home.

Before I gush… believe it or not there were a couple things I didn’t like much at all.

I didn’t like having to be at the first session by 8:30 in the morning.   I much prefer a more relaxed start to the day!  I realize this is an un-winnable issue for the organizers.  Some people are morning folk and some of us aren’t.

I didn’t like that some of the speakers didn’t seem to prepare much in advance.  A couple of different times I got the feeling that they just showed up and expected magic to happen.

I was in the ‘advanced’ group.  A couple of the sessions were definitely not ‘advanced’ in nature from my prespective.  I wonder how you could ever really speak ‘advanced’ to any one group of marketers though?  Everyone is coming from a different place.  What seemed like old hat to me may have been amazing to someone else.

Now, for what I did like. (And love enough to go back to over and over again)

The People.

Nicole “Waaay Sexy” Dean & Me!

I have been working at home full time since early 2006.  Much of that time I’ve been isolated by location or by commitment.  I have had very little opportunity to hang out with other people like me.

There is something so amazing about sitting around with people who get what you do and how you do it.

I loved the incredible mixture of people.   Some bright and polished, others warm and approachable, some I think I could move in with and enjoy for months (and who would probably let me!).

The Authenticity.

Annie (Lynn’s Daughter), Me, Tawnya Sutherland & Lynn Terry

The speakers were extremely real.  They shared examples and explained things in ways that made sense. They didn’t try to seem ‘above it all’.  There was a distinct lack of hype – though the event wasn’t quite at ‘pitch free’ as I had read it was.

They were right there in the mix with us.  Willie Crawford sat right behind me over against the left wall on the first day and could often be found talking casually with small groups of people in the hall.  Kathleen Gage took a moment to grasp my arm and speak an encouraging word between sessions.  Lynn Terry was always on the move – and always looking to see who else she could spend a little time with.

This is so far removed from what most people experience at a conference.  Speakers are usually aloof and only have time to give to other ‘important’ people.   If they do get a moment to talk with you it’s usually rushed, with eyeballs searching beyond your face for their next more important connection.  I never experienced this at NAMS.  Not once.

The Epiphany

Stephanie, Joy, Diana & Me

I had a couple of major ‘lightbulb’ moments at NAMS.  These crystal clear occurrences of complete clarity were surely accompanied by the sound of angel’s singing?

Let’s face it.  Internet Marketing isn’t rocket science.  If it were, I wouldn’t be doing it.  Learning what to do is not that hard and putting it into action is just a matter of DOING it.

Still, there are these beautiful ideas… these gorgeous strategies… these positively brilliant tactics… that can change the landscape of your business and open up the next level of success.    They can not be predicted or even planned – they happen when the right combination of experienced people come together to discuss a topic.

One person asks a question, another gives an answer and another chimes in with a thought and then… EPIPHANY!  It all comes together and you have THAT ANSWER to that question you didn’t even know you had.

It’s the amazing takeaway – the one moment that makes the whole trip worthwhile.

So, I’m going back.

I’m going back because I didn’t want to leave.

I’m going back because I’ve tasted and seen that it is indeed very good.

I’m going back because maybe – hopefully – you’ll be there this time :)

You can sign up for NAMS here!