Training opportunities: Summits

No! Really, what is a summit?

A summit – the kind I’m recommending – is a global online event comprising a series of videoed interviews between the summit host and an array of experts.

Between them, they tackle a single topic, determined by the summit host.

What happens at a summit?

Within one summit, there are dozens of interviews and many – maybe not all – will be pertinent to where you are in your business journey.

If you watch the interviews live, you have the opportunity to ask questions. If not, you can watch the recording – there is still a great deal you can learn from these guys.

How does a summit work?

Just like the Wedding Fayre format, a summit ‘works’ in two ways.

• For the audience, the summit provides free training to those who take up the opportunity of a free seat. There may also be some free-to-download guides, workbooks and other useful materials.
• For the experts, the summit provides an audience. They each have a product or service they want to sell to you, and their interview slot allows them time to impress you with their expertise.

What’s the catch?

There’s no catch.

Signing up for the summit – or downloading any free guide – will require you to part with your email address. So, you will be added to the host’s mailing list.

Clearly, the experts are looking for more clients. First though, in return for your email address, they will offer something extra of value to you: a free book, maybe a free consultation.

If you accept this free gift, you will also receive a follow-up sequence of emails giving you more information about the expert and whatever they have to offer. In time, once you get to know them, you may well become a customer. Job done!

But, once you’ve given your email address, to the host or to any of the experts, it’s easy to unsubscribe from future emails should you decide you are no longer interested in whatever they are offering.

There must be a trap?

There are two ‘traps’, if that’s what you’d like to call them.

• Time!
  You might decide you don’t have enough time to watch the videos while they are available for free. You might decide to purchase an access pass. This gives you all the time you need to view these videos, and you can watch them over and over again.
  Note: The price of the access pass tends to rise during the promotion period of the event. So, if you plan to buy the access pass, do so straight away.
• Need!
  You might decide you truly need the product/service being offered by an expert. If you realise it will help you and you choose to sign up, this will result in an additional expence for you.

What if you have no budget for training?

If you have time but no budget, the summit is your best option for training.

Watch as many of the videos as you can manage within the given time constaints, and do your best to resist signing up for a product.

Are there any downsides to attending a summit?

No, I don’t think so – and that’s why I’m recommending them to you. Dip your toe in the world of summits. Test the water. See what happens.

In 2015, I attended my first summit: Chandler Bolt’s Self-Publishing Success Summit. It was a veritable crash course in content marketing for me. I had a lot to learn; and learn I did. For free. A year later, I signed up for the Self-Publishing School and my first book EDITING The RedPen Way was published within the 90-day challenge.

I’ve now lost count of the number of summits I’ve attended. I rarely see all the videos. Rarely invest in the access pass. Know I won’t have time to watch them all and absorb all the messages.

I often invest in the products/services though, and am grateful for the chance to hear from the experts ahead of making purchasing decisions.

I’m happy to answer your questions about summits. Simply, contact me – by email, or by posting your query in the ScrivenerVirgin Facebook group. I’m here to help!

Acknowledgement: © Sergio Hayashi | Dreamstime.com – Wedding cartoon