LAC Wannabe

[Morganzolar]

Hi everyone!

I’ve been searching around the web for a good ‘roundup’ of what happened at the LAC, and all I can see is the promotions running up to the event – not a description / diary of what happened (there are a few sites I can’t load due to work restrictions). Anyone know where I can find one?

I didn’t get to attend the LAC this year, as I’m deployed overseas – but hopefully next year I’ll be there. I know there’s been a thread about this already but I’m really interested to find out what peoples highlights of the conference were, whether they though it was worth it . . . and I’ve got a few more questions coming up (sorry for the bombardment).

• How much do you think you should earn before going to the LAC (or any affiliate conference), I’m making money from my site but no way near the 5 figure / month mark that a lot of people seem to be making.
• Do you just rock up on your own and meet people there, or do you network before you go and go as a group (I wouldn’t mind turning up on my own, just want to know what others do).
• Do you get better deals than you do online – I can see that seeing your affiliate manager face to face will help build a business partnership, but do you get higher revshare / CPA?
• The party’s look AWESOME, please tell me they’re as good as they look!
• Did any of you guys from AGD meet up together for a pint / chat?
• Do the conferences give you actionable ideas, or is it all theory?
• Has anyone who’s been to LAC also been to Amsterdam / Barcelona – is it worth the trip?

Thanks in advance for any answers, sorry to be so ‘greedy for knowledge’ – but over the LAC weekend I was consta-refreshing Google looking for updates, I can’t wait until LAC 2014!

MZ

 

[KasinoKing]

1. • How much do you think you should earn before going to the LAC (or any affiliate conference), I’m making money from my site but no way near the 5 figure / month mark that a lot of people seem to be making.
2. • Do you just rock up on your own and meet people there, or do you network before you go and go as a group (I wouldn’t mind turning up on my own, just want to know what others do).
3. • Do you get better deals than you do online – I can see that seeing your affiliate manager face to face will help build a business partnership, but do you get higher revshare / CPA?
4. • The party’s look AWESOME, please tell me they’re as good as they look!
5. • Did any of you guys from AGD meet up together for a pint / chat?
6. • Do the conferences give you actionable ideas, or is it all theory?
7. • Has anyone who’s been to LAC also been to Amsterdam / Barcelona – is it worth the trip?

I've numbered your questions to make it quicker to answer!

1. Just depends on your personal budget. I don't earn anything like 5 figures per month (I wish!), but I do earn enough to be able to go to any of the conferences if I wanted to. London was very cheap for me as I live only 50 miles away, so the whole weekend was less than £500. (I could do it for much less than that - but I stayed in a posh hotel near Tower Bridge for 2 nights ).

2. I usually go on my own. I pre-arrange meetings with the affy programs I want to talk to, and do others ad-hoc.

3. Yes, sometimes. It definitely helps to meet face-to-face.

4. I gave up going to the parties; the music is usually very loud, so you can't talk and I hate having to shout in someone's ear. Not my idea of fun (getting old too!) - I'd rather go to the a casino!

5. I only saw Bonustreak - don't know if any other AGD staff were there, but I think not.
I always go to the CasinoMeister Meeting the Tuesday before - that's a great place for a pint & a chat!

6. Usually, yes.

7. Been to both once each. Only went to Barca because I won a free trip to the conference from a casino! Would not want to go there again - didn't like the city and everything was VERY expensive!
Amsterdam was great - hope to go again.
Worth it? Well depend on your budget again. Personally I think one per year is enough for me, though I would go to more if I didn't have young kids and a working wife...

See you at LAC next year!
KK

 

[Morganzolar]

Thanks for the quick and thorough reply! I had a quick look at the cost of flights to Amsterdam and they’re next to nothing, so I think I might sign up for next years Amsterdam conference too! It sounds like you got a lot out of it – I suppose at the very least it gives you a ‘second wind’ if you’re getting bored / tired / fed up of being an affiliate (I don’t know how I made it past the year mark without seeing any return, but I’m glad I did now)!

Did you (anyone) attend the affiliate awards? I looked at the shortlist for ‘ Best Newcomer’ to get some inspiration for my site – and I’ve seen some posts from the guy who runs Casino Manual, I think I’ve got a lot of work on my design before I can even think about running a campaign for an IGB award, although it must be great publicity!

Again, thanks for answering the questions - but just one more . . . if you had to name the 'highlight' of the event, what would it be?

MZ

 

[baldidiot]

I'm going to steal KK's idea and copy your questions


How much do you think you should earn before going to the LAC (or any affiliate conference), I’m making money from my site but no way near the 5 figure / month mark that a lot of people seem to be making.

I think you can get a lot out of it in terms of advice, contacts, ideas etc.. You don't need to be making a huge amount to make it worthwhile but at the end of the day it all comes down to you - do you feel your time is better spent learning and meeting people or working on your site? (that's not a trick question BTW)


Do you just rock up on your own and meet people there, or do you network before you go and go as a group (I wouldn’t mind turning up on my own, just want to know what others do).

I always go solo but I arrange meetings with some people. The first time I went I wandered around a bit like a lost lamb, but this past time I found myself bumping into people I knew from the year before. I'd definitely go to the pre-reg on the first day because 1. it's a free bar and 2. plenty of people are there solo and haven't met up with anyone yet so it's fine to just wander round and introduce yourself.


Do you get better deals than you do online – I can see that seeing your affiliate manager face to face will help build a business partnership, but do you get higher revshare / CPA?

I think it definitely builds a better relationship, but TBH deals are (usually) based on numbers so you could arrange the same without meeting.


The party’s look AWESOME, please tell me they’re as good as they look!

I went to a few dinners this last time but no parties.


Did any of you guys from AGD meet up together for a pint / chat?

I briefly met Bonustreak (I was the dude in the hawaiin shirt at the AE/Intertops dinner) but that's about it. I have also once played poker across the table from KasinoKing but didn't get a chance to say hi really - I was also at the CM drinks and was going to introduce myself but I couldn't remember what you looked like (should have been wearing your KasinoKing polo again!).

I did meet a bunch of people from other forums though.


Do the conferences give you actionable ideas, or is it all theory?

I came up with some great ideas after chatting with people at the conference. I find that talking through your ideas helps you refine them.


Has anyone who’s been to LAC also been to Amsterdam / Barcelona – is it worth the trip?

I've only ever been to London because I'm lazy and I live here. I'm half considering 'dam this year but the timing is a bit crappy as its right before we go away on holiday and it might end up being a bit too much time away from working.


Did you (anyone) attend the affiliate awards?

Yes - they're a lot of fun. The awards themselves are a bit farcical but there's free booze and good food - just get yourself on a good table

 

[Morganzolar]

Cheers for the info Baldidiot (I feel really rude calling you that!)

I guess it'll be worth it for me then, I don't live in London but I live near enough (South Coast).

I'm definitely going to get a personalised shirt made up for myself now you’ve said that, but hopefully none of my friends see me in photos etc

I suppose if you already live in London you don’t have the expense of the hotel to worry about (which would be the biggest cost for the weekend)!

From what you’ve said there seems to be a lot of ‘free’ booze, I think that’s the deal sealer! LAC 2014 here I come . . . it seems so far away though!

MZ

 

[baldidiot]

From what you’ve said there seems to be a lot of ‘free’ booze, I think that’s the deal sealer!

Oh man, you'll have free booze coming out of your ears!

 

[bonustreak]

How much do you think you should earn before going to the LAC (or any affiliate conference), I’m making money from my site but no way near the 5 figure / month mark that a lot of people seem to be making.


I know some that don't earn a penny before going to LAC just to get a feel of the industry, meet other affiliates in order to learn & network with etc.. I have found
many great friends and advisors from attending conferences. My friends are my competitors, we all help each other out which makes this such a fantastic industry.
I made less then $500 a month when I attended my first conference after that my earnings shoot up!




Do you just rock up on your own and meet people there, or do you network before you go and go as a group (I wouldn’t mind turning up on my own, just want to know what others do).

We all usually post on forums or FB that we plan to attend, just jump in there and mingle with everyone from there we all just make plans to meet up & hang out..
Trust me you will be asking for alone time after a conference...lol


Do you get better deals than you do online – I can see that seeing your affiliate manager face to face will help build a business partnership, but do you get higher revshare / CPA?

I would not say you get better deals but gain more of a personal relationship with your affiliate managers which in turn improves your income. If build up a relationship your more apt to gain good marketing info before it is released public things like that...


Did any of you guys from AGD meet up together for a pint / chat?

I briefly met Bonustreak (I was the dude in the hawaiin shirt at the AE/Intertops dinner) but that's about it.

It was nice to meet you briefly it is a shame we can't socialize at these dinners but they are getting so big! I would love to organize another AGD meet up sometime soon!
If you come to the Sunday Sessions there are loads of fellow affs to meet up with! I usually hang in the hotel lobby bars with friends etc ...

Has anyone who’s been to LAC also been to Amsterdam / Barcelona – is it worth the trip?
I usually attend all the conferences but this yr I am not so sure about the Dam since I have family things going on but you really should consider this, yes it is worth it!


Did you (anyone) attend the affiliate awards?

Yes every yr I really enjoy the awards!!

 

[KasinoKing]

I guess it'll be worth it for me then, I don't live in London but I live near enough (South Coast).

Where on the south coast?
We live in Hastings, though we will soon be moving a massive 2 miles to Bexhill-on-sea!

I suppose if you already live in London you don’t have the expense of the hotel to worry about (which would be the biggest cost for the weekend)!

There is plenty of cheap(-ish) accomodation in London - if you don't stay right in the city centre. If like me you are happy to use the tube or DLR, it needent cost very much at all.

KK

 

[Morganzolar]

I live in a small town called Lee on Solent, opposite the Isle of Wight, but at the mo I work in Plymouth (but that’s changing soon). My job at the moment is throwing me all around the country / world so I’m finding it hard to focus on the site / networking

That sounds like a lot of stress for a 2 mile move – I’m sure you have your reasons though!

I think if I went to the conference I’d book budget accommodation, but I’d keep it on the ‘down-low’ so the bigshots wouldn’t judge me / pity me!

MZ

 

[KasinoKing]

That sounds like a lot of stress for a 2 mile move – I’m sure you have your reasons though!

Yeah - the new place is (nearly) twice as big as the old one!

KK

 

[alexpratt]

Hey There,

Thought I would have a go at posting some answers where I can - Of course bare in mind I am the organiser

Also well worth reading this which was a really good account from a new attendee from almost two years ago Conference Call | iGBAffiliate

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How much do you think you should earn before going to the LAC (or any affiliate conference), I’m making money from my site but no way near the 5 figure / month mark that a lot of people seem to be making.

I don't think there is a fixed amount as to when and when you shouldn't attend - I think it comes down to your budgets, your responsibilities outside of affiliate marketing and your business plan. Look at it as an investment and budget it like one. Its a cost and you have to sit down and think about how you can justify it whether this means x more players, better relationships, a better deal, more knowledge, a new JV with another affiliate, or even a reward for working so hard! The list could go on

•

Do you just rock up on your own and meet people there, or do you network before you go and go as a group (I wouldn’t mind turning up on my own, just want to know what others do).

My advise is like everyone else, use the social media channels as much as possible to create meetings and relationships. Use teh networking tool to create meetings with both affiliates and affiliate managers and then just play it by ear, its a super friendly business and you will soon find you know more people than you have ever before......
As for how people come some come on their own, some come with partners, some with their families and some with colleagues - Its a real mix

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Do you get better deals than you do online – I can see that seeing your affiliate manager face to face will help build a business partnership, but do you get higher revshare / CPA?

I always doubted this and thought it was something we could use as a great marketing tool as people do say this sometimes in teh forums but I felt bad saying it if it wasn't true However I did ask two AM's this time if this was true and they told me that it does often happen and the reason is twofold
a) When you are sitting opposite someone and looking in the white of their eyes you are much more likely to weaken when on Skype/email you can be a lot stronger and
b) sometimes they have spent months or years trying to pin an affiliate down for a deal and this could be their only chance to nail it so they offer a much better offer than normal just to get it signed then as they worry that they won't get it after they leave the stand

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The party’s look AWESOME, please tell me they’re as good as they look!

They vary massively - I have been to some awesome ones and some that are very average BUT I would say we have become very greedy as a sector. I remember my first conference back in 2004 and was literally amazed that you could get a free tshirt let alone free drinks which I had never seen before... I think as a sector we have become spoilt. I do agree re loud music though but I think more recently where we get involved the parties often have a mix so an area with loud music and one without where you can chat.

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Do the conferences give you actionable ideas, or is it all theory?

I am amazed how many people don't attend the conference in iGaming affiliate marketing when if you listen carefully there is genuinely heaps of take hope actionable items that you can use to generate more income whether this is SEO, a new market or simply a different approach.... WARNING SALES PITCH..... We do have all teh recordings and slides from the conference for sale for £99 - You can download the details and order form here http://files.igamingbusiness.co.uk/emails/LAC2013/LAC 2013_ AudioPresentationCDOrderForm.doc

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Has anyone who’s been to LAC also been to Amsterdam / Barcelona – is it worth the trip?

Easy question for me - Yes - Been to every event since we started Personally I would say they are worth it as long as you manage your costs and budgets but at everyone you will meet new and established programs, sit in lots of usual sessions and network with teh greatest minds in online marketing..... but again its up to you as a business and whether this fits with your plans

 

[TheGamblingGuru]

Use teh networking tool ..... do say this sometimes in teh forums ..... We do have all teh recordings ..... and network with teh greatest minds

Alex, teach me something new bro... I see you write "teh" in all of your posts instead of "the"...Is this British or some other form of the word "The"?

I looked it up on Dictionary.com but they don't seem to know either...

Teh | Define Teh at Dictionary.com

Teh Synonyms, Teh Antonyms | Thesaurus.com

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[alexpratt]

Nope - Its just a really annoying habit I have when I try to type fast - But from now on i am going to say its the British way or at least the Pratt way!!!!!

 

[TheGamblingGuru]

Nope - Its just a really annoying habit I have when I try to type fast - But from now on i am going to say its the British way or at least the Pratt way!!!!!

Cool, thanks....always wondered about that!

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[MaritVS]

if you had to name the 'highlight' of the event, what would it be?

MZ

I think you had a lot of great answers to your questions from an affiliate point of you! But for me, the highlight of any conference is always meeting old and new friends. Helps that I've been around for a few years, but as I pretty much been to every affiliate conference ever, you get use to seeing the same faces every three months or so! I love catching up with industry friends.

It helps that our industry is very friendly and welcoming - so even as a newcomer you'll soon find the right people. Personally, nothing beats meeting people face to face! In an online world, it's nice to put faces to names.

Amsterdam I love, I live in Barcelona and I am originally from London... so for me the conferences are a no brainer. lol!