AVN Wants Me On The Traffic Panel In Vegas....Even Though They Have No Idea Who I Am.

[Greenguy]

I shit you not.

Someone hit me up on ICQ about possibly being on the Traffic Panel at Internext In Vegas.

I grunted a lot & asked who was on the panel:

XXXJay - good choice IMHO

Q'On - great guy, but I've never known him to be a big "traffic" kinda webmaster & I hope I don't offend anyone, but it'd be like me being on a panel marketing ebony sites.

Johnny V? (from wildline) - did a search on Board Tracker for "wildline" & the only result was this person being on the last Traffic Panel in Miami & a link to an article on YNOT about that panel with some really obvious observations. Seems to be a broker, so the reply to any & all traffic questions would be "You can buy it."

"Name Withheld To Protect The Innocent" who does run a Link List & would be a good choice for a Traffic Panel.

Moderator: Mike Hawk from Smash Bucks, who has told me in no small terms that he does not like the policies of this board

So I thinking about it...basically a free pass for an hour of my time.

I have no idea how many seminars there are, but the cost to AVN is the room for 2 days, since there's no actual money given to the speakers. It costs Joe Blow Webmaster $80 to attend the seminars. I'd really love to know how many people paid for the seminars minus the cost of the room

So then it dawns on me to ask for money...and passes! $1000 & 4 passes - this would cover The Bitch & me as well as the MaryLou's.

SO I ask for the email addy for the guy that's running this stuff so I can see what I can get out of it. I'm told:
I had the original quote up here, but the person that realyed the info to me asked me to remove it, so I will just say that AVN contacted one person about being on the traffic panel. That person recommended my contact. My contact recomended me.

The long & short of it is that AVN is looking for people to be on this Traffic Panel & asking for advice on panelists because they have no idea who to put on this panel.

Isn't this one of the beefs we have with AVN?

NO ONE AT AVN KNOWS WHO THE FUCK ANY OF US ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(don't even get me started on the stats part of that, as I guess I was 5th on a list of 4)

I did this panel in 2003 (I think) an it consisted of me, Traffic Dude (see wildline), SE Guru (great guy - all about the SE's & a lot of paid ad spots) and Aly (who I love & was still with Python & really had no idea why she was on the panel

So should I feel insulted?

Should I suck it up & ask for the $1k & 4 passes?

You decide - VOTE NOW!!!!!!!!!!

[furrygirl]

Take the money and passes. A free trip to Vegas is a nice way to soothe a bruised ego.

[Torn Rose]

Fuck them

[Surfn]

Take the passes and when you get to Vegas tell 'em to fuck off. They will remember you after that

[spookyx]

Originally Posted by Surfn

Take the passes and when you get to Vegas tell 'em to fuck off. They will remember you after that

|halfgabbo

wow, that reply gets my vote! and a 4 greenguy post rating"

[Trev]

I picked the money and passes, just because I want to hear what they say.

[Greenguy]

Remember - they didn't offer me the money & the passes...that's what I'm thinking of asking for from the people that do no know who I am, but do know they want me on the panel

[Jim]

I say the same thing fuck them. Just get the media pass and sleep in. And think about what time they have these things. And the worst part is that AVN has no idea who anyone is. Probably why most times these seminars suck. Back when there was a choice of a show floor without seminar pass, that's what I always went for

[Greenguy]

This seminar is supposed to be in the afternoon of the 1st day, so the time isn't really a factor (plus I'm not drinking, so there will be no hang-overs anyway)

And they did go back to offering just the floor pass & the floor pass with seminars - hence the $80 difference.

[Dr Bizzaro]

I say ask for the money and passes and give 2 of the passes to me.
I'll come to the seminar and standup and clap and whistle after everything you say.

They'll know who you are after that.

[Greenguy]

Originally Posted by Dr Bizzaro

...I'll come to the seminar and standup and clap and whistle after everything you say.

They'll know who you are after that.

OH! That thought had crossed my mind - get as many people as I can to get seminar passes, have them show up with big signs & hoot & cheer every time my name is mentioned

[Jim]

Originally Posted by Greenguy

This seminar is supposed to be in the afternoon of the 1st day, so the time isn't really a factor (plus I'm not drinking, so there will be no hang-overs anyway)

And they did go back to offering just the floor pass & the floor pass with seminars - hence the $80 difference.

Still, an hour that you could be napping, gambling or just farting to sit on a panel for people that don't know you.

I don't know, if you can get something from it, maybe think about it but...AVN still sucks. Definitely don't do it for free.

So, what happened to having to pay for the all in one package? Did they actually listen to the webmasters about that?

[adamneve]

I say go for it, i'll come and listen to this one for sure

[Cleo]

Eat lots of beans and sit on the panel

[Cyndalie]

I did it once in FL in 2003 and will never do it again. The traffic panel was a success but never again will I give up that much knowledge to so many paying attendees for free, plus the videos of it they were selling PPV online. There's just no incentive to do so. If they want to learn from you GreenGuy, have them come here where in doing so, they support you as well. We all simply work too hard to give it to AVN for free.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by Cyndalie

I did it once in FL in 2003 and will never do it again. The traffic panel was a success but never again will I give up that much knowledge to so many paying attendees for free, plus the videos of it they were selling PPV online. There's just no incentive to do so. If they want to learn from you GreenGuy, have them come here where in doing so, they support you as well. We all simply work too hard to give it to AVN for free.

C'mon Cyndalie, we're not giving anything to AVN, we're giving free and valuable information to attendees that have paid good money to expect more from a seminar than a bunch of webmasters spamming their services.

I've spoken on a few panels and twice at Cybernet and have no problem sharing the same information there that I share on the boards.

As for being paid, I've never heard of any seminar doing that before although it might not be a bad idea because then the panel 'experts' might not feel that they have to 'sell' themselves to make it worth their time.

They do typically give at least one free pass to the panelist.

[Far-L]

Jeez...

Such animosity... I said it before and will say it again. AVN is not the enemy. When they are reaching out to get the right people don't get pissed because in the past they got the wrong people... what is the use in that? Time to effect a positive change.

Don't do it if you think it will be a waste of time or if you don't want to share information.

Generally panelists get a ticket plus one guest. Maybe they should start paying panelists but that is not the case for the time being.

The real "secret" of most people's success is HARD WORK - I don't care if you are a tgp, ll, seo, or whatever expert- none of it comes without effort and daily grind. So no matter what "trade secrets" are revealed 99% of the audience is not going to take advangtage of them.

Being a panelist is a good way to build exposure and make good connections. If you think others would be better suited to be up there with you then let them know.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by Far-L

Jeez...

Such animosity... I said it before and will say it again. AVN is not the enemy. When they are reaching out to get the right people don't get pissed because in the past they got the wrong people... what is the use in that? Time to effect a positive change.

Don't do it if you think it will be a waste of time or if you don't want to share information.

Generally panelists get a ticket plus one guest. Maybe they should start paying panelists but that is not the case for the time being.

The real "secret" of most people's success is HARD WORK - I don't care if you are a tgp, ll, seo, or whatever expert- none of it comes without effort and daily grind. So no matter what "trade secrets" are revealed 99% of the audience is not going to take advangtage of them.

Being a panelist is a good way to build exposure and make good connections. If you think others would be better suited to be up there with you then let them know.

far-l, that is the problem...they are not reaching out. Where are they? Where have they posted since Aly left?

I do understand that AVN is probably good for your business. Hell, they are good for any Adult Video business. But for the average webmaster, they really have nothing to offer. There is no way an average webmaster with a family can afford the $3k + or - to go to a show so close to Christmas.

The bottom line to me is they have done great things for the Adult Video Business. But they really haven't done anything for the average webmaster other than overcharge for a show that is a shell of what it once was.

Let me say this really quick. I don't hate AVN. I just believe they really need to have a front man that can make changes that the webmasters (their customers) complain about. Aly did her best but Ray Charles could see that she really couldn't make the changes that are needed.

And let me apologize if it seems that I am lumping you in with AVN. I know you don't represent them and you are only trying to make the Peace.

But that is my point...where is their representative?

Wow, did I get off on a tangent. This really had nothing to do with being on a panel or not, did it? For that, I apologize.

[Far-L]

Originally Posted by Jim

far-l, that is the problem...they are not reaching out. Where are they? Where have they posted since Aly left?

I do understand that AVN is probably good for your business. Hell, they are good for any Adult Video business. But for the average webmaster, they really have nothing to offer. There is no way an average webmaster with a family can afford the $3k + or - to go to a show so close to Christmas.

The bottom line to me is they have done great things for the Adult Video Business. But they really haven't done anything for the average webmaster other than overcharge for a show that is a shell of what it once was.

Let me say this really quick. I don't hate AVN. I just believe they really need to have a front man that can make changes that the webmasters (their customers) complain about. Aly did her best but Ray Charles could see that she really couldn't make the changes that are needed.

And let me apologize if it seems that I am lumping you in with AVN. I know you don't represent them and you are only trying to make the Peace.

But that is my point...where is their representative?

Wow, did I get off on a tangent. This really had nothing to do with being on a panel or not, did it? For that, I apologize.

Thanks for the sentiment, but no worries, I don't feel attacked at all. I just want to help - I love those guys - I love you guys - I just want us all to be friends - oh yeah... and to improve BIZ!!!

[Kath]

Originally Posted by Hammer

As for being paid, I've never heard of any seminar doing that before although it might not be a bad idea because then the panel 'experts' might not feel that they have to 'sell' themselves to make it worth their time.

They do typically give at least one free pass to the panelist.

You know.... you bring up a very good point... as someone who has spoken on panels, organized panels/events and has attended nearly every single panel/seminar in the past several years I think this is an excellent idea.

#1 - It would help to increase (IMHO) the quality of the speaker as the companies who organize would be more inclined to look for a return on their investment. They might actually research speakers a little more before just saying, "hey dude - wanna be on a panel?" or simply allowing sales reps from sponsoring companies to come on and spam the attendees continually for an hour.

#2 - It would increase interest in speaking and possibly inspire speakers to be more prepared, give more useful information and overall just add value to the seminars. A happy speaker is a better speaker.

#3 - Wow... wouldn't it just be nice to have these big companies who have been picking our pockets over the years for industry events actually GIVE SOMETHING BACK to the people that ultimately give them their "content" for these events??? That in itself would kick ass!

Great discussion Greenie - I voted for the first one, screw them... but now that I think about it, if you could use your undeniable clout to improve the speaker/seminar/attendee situation at these things I think that would be great. Then again, I'm not holding my breath - we're talking about people who have consistently failed to see the value in our end of the industry - well, other than raping attendees and exhibitors for years with show costs and fees...

Just my .02...

[docholly]

Originally Posted by Hammer

As for being paid, I've never heard of any seminar doing that before although it might not be a bad idea because then the panel 'experts' might not feel that they have to 'sell' themselves to make it worth their time.

I have to ASSume that you are speaking only of Internext because in almost ALL other industries, no-one does it for nothing. Honorariums are common and range anywhere from passes + a $ amount and expenses, to upwards of 1000's of dollars plus perks. Even 'industry-centric' panels pay their panelist's expenses and for their time.

Even in the non-profit world they are paid a minimum and our industry is certainly for-profit even tho some of us are still looking for them.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by docholly

I have to ASSume that you are speaking only of Internext because in almost ALL other industries, no-one does it for nothing.

I am talking about any adult convention I know of, including but not limited to Internext. I specifically mentioned Cybernet.

Speaking personally, I definitely don't consider it to be doing it for nothing because I've left every show I've ever attended with more than enough business to cover the cost of attending plus quite a bit left over and shows where I've been on a panel were even better for me.

Obviously that wouldn't be true of everyone and it would depend on what service they offered in the first place.

This is no different than posting on chat boards. Some of us are willing to share information and others aren't. Some are so insecure that they feel the need to post misinformation to try to eliminate competition. I've seen panelists do the same thing at seminars before too.

[Useless]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Some of us are willing to share information and others aren't. Some are so insecure that they feel the need to post misinformation to try to eliminate competition. I've seen panelists do the same thing at seminars before too.

Over a year later and yet another board and I STILL think you're an egotistical fucking asshole.

Smooches.

[docholly]

Originally Posted by Hammer

I am talking about any adult convention I know of, including but not limited to Internext. I specifically mentioned Cybernet.

Since the adult entertainment industry leads mainstream on many levels, why should those with knowledge not be paid to share what they've learned? Their counterparts in the 'straight' world certainly wouldn't do it for free.

And this is not to say that we don't willingly share it with others but when called up to give up a few hours of time to prepare then sit on a panel, I think there should be a monetary value placed on this as well as any residual $$ made. People are paying to attend this seminar and there is money to be made from sale of the DVD's even if it's just $1.00. They are selling what took him years to learn, glean, trial and error and what is in his goodhead.

For someone like GG, whose business is to give his bookmarkers quality programs to buy from, has been established since almost the inception of the adult internet and is extremely well known in the webmaster world, I'm sure it would be more to the benefit to AVN to have his name on the program.

of course what the fuck do i know? I think i'm in retrograde newbie status.

[selena]

Two words


Fuck 'em