What's The Best Way To Do A Class: In Person or Online?

Dan:

I have run IT Training (in my previous life)including an online University. Nothing is better than in-person workshop. If you wish to conduct one in Toronto, our association, Society of Internet Professionals (SIP)will be happy to partner with you for a two-day SEO workshop. We have organized many in the past, photos of one held recently on Digital Publsihing are at:
http://sipgroup.org/workshops/ebooks/photos

BTW: You hav asked for a better software for online video, there is a conference next week on the subject (and the site are some resources):

http://www.streamingmediaworld.com/

Max Haroon | President
Society of Internet Professionals (SIP) | http://sipgroup.org/
Tel: 416-891-4937 | founder@sipgroup.org

In person event is great, but I'm from EU and don't have so big income from the net to cover costs coming to the US. So I hope that you will make some classes online

Simon, the expense is the main reason why I've done mostly online classes in the past couple years. Not only does it cost more to put on an in-person event (which raises the price), but folks have travel costs too.

It's possible we could do "both," sort of, because we will be recording the class. That means it could be available later as a streaming video course, DVD, etc.

Dan

online is much more convenient - Im in Australia, travelling, accomodation expenses etc..

Even though it would be painful time and expense-wise, I'd lean towards an in-person class. I think you're able to get much more in-depth and focused when you don't have so many distractions.

P.S. Am really looking forward to your next program on PPC. I've listened to all of your Stomper videos and am eager to dig in even deeper. I have a new commerce site hopefully launching around August 1. Would be a great test case if you need one.

Dan, I would lean towards online if the class is concentrated only on link building. However, if you able to incorporate the SEO Fast Start and a few other magic tricks into the class, LIVE might be a better option.

You can you set up a pre-registration on the home page with a tentative date, location and price and track your opt-ins.

Jeff

Definitely live, in person, up close and personal!

I not only enjoy every opportunity to attend your sessions at other events, I firmly believe that the networking with other like-minded people is of great educational benefit not provided online.

Add the opportunity to bounce thoughts, issues and ideas off you one-on-one or in small groups during breaks (or at lunch/dinner…hint) and the price of admission and expenses become less of a factor!

I definitely won't do a link building class for this, Jeff. My partners want something that can be sold as a packaged product, of course, and the linking clinic isn't acceptable because I just gave away the content.

I'm working on getting some better production into the link building videos (script writer, voice over) and I'm not sure what we'll do with that content, but for a live class, I'd be more inclined to do something along the lines of a "white hat black belt SEO" course and cover more ground than just links.

Dennis, thank you for your kind words… I've actually considered doing something very unconventional. We almost pulled the trigger on this idea last year - basically, a very small group (a dozen or less), a weekend, a conference room (big round table), very unstructured, just talking about marketing, search, etc. with a live 'net connection so we can get into anything that comes up. But if I did something like that, it would have to be a separate thing.

Great Dan. I was hoping you weren't going to have a class on just links. I may have misunderstood by the first sentence after your title.

I love your catchy title: "white hat black belt SEO". Will Leslie be there breaking boards for us? lol Seriously, though, I could use some iteraction with others.

Jeff

Doing a "separate thing" would be a hoot too, Dan.

My comment was more toward the informal networking and assistance that happens during breaks and at the end of the day. (Or sitting out front of the Marriott having a smoke!)

Virtual networking, although helpful, just isn't the same. But if I have to wait for the "separate thing", so be it. I wouldn't hesitate.

Hopefully online, we are in the UK. In person would also be nice but it would be costly to someone to stay for while to attend a class. Best Regards

After watching your videos Dan, I'd have to say online. I've been able to watch the videos at my own pace, make notes, re-watch sections that I didn't understand, and obviously the added bonus of being able to ask questions here.

In person would be wonderful — but over here, in the UK, please! If you can't make it here (sigh) then I'd go for online.

But, hey! Why not both?!

It's great to have the videos to keep coming back to, and the Portal is good for asking questions, as Darren points out.

Either way, I really need your help, Dan!

OK, folks… please keep the feedback coming. Here's what I am working on next…

I am going to re-shoot my world-famous keyword strategy video in the new studio, with a pre-written script. This will allow me to:
1) Have better audio
2) Create an um-free presentation
3) Provide a print version - powerpoint with transcript.

That won't happen until close to the end of this month. Once it's done I'll post it here on the portal so everybody can tell me if that's the right format for a packaged training.

I will definitely have some kind of online/virtual training to offer this year, and I think the format will be something like what I just described.

I am also about 80% sold on doing a live in person event. Most likely October, in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area (centrally located, big airport, lots of conference space, plus that's where I live…). Most likely a small group (~20 people) so we can have more interaction.

Thoughts?

Dan

Sounds Great Dan! Count me in!

Jeff

Dan, looking forward to the video, but I think it's unlikely I'll be able to get to the US. What about if a group of us [say 20] were to get together in the UK, pay for your flight, hotel, conference room etc. maybe London?

I'm not sure if there are any other Brits here.

Dan,
You can count me in for a live event in Dallas. I've drunk the koolaid and am looking for every Dan-tidbit there is.

I'm not against the idea of doing a UK event, but it would take some time to pull off and promote. With the calendar pretty well set through the end of the year, I probably wouldn't be able to do an event over there until early next year at best.

Dan, I think October is an optimal time for an event. I have a hunch that you will exceed 20 sign-ups though. If you stop at 20, get ready for the claws to come out!

I am a definate. Big surprise eh… It's Saturday Night and i'm watching you on DVD and working on my site. I'll save the Saturday drinks for after hours at the event (:

Jeff

Video sounds great — JUST what I need, so rah! for that, Dan.

And sorry to be a bore, but here's another gentle nag for a UK event, please!

Darren, add me to your list of UK fans.

Jane

Dan, early next year sounds good.

I'm going to a few conferences myself this year, and it'll take some time to organise like you mentioned.

So, that's me and Jane, any more Brits in here interested so we can persuade Dan?

If I can believe my analytics, 1 out of 10 readers are in the UK… so I don't doubt that there are enough folks over there to pull it of.

While I get a lot out of the online stuff, nothing beats face to face or in person learning environments. I'd be all over a live event to dig deeper into some stuff and see just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Plus, DFW is a short hop from ATL - part of my stomping grounds in my pre-entrepreneur life.

Craig

In person would be great! If it were in Toronto, that would be even better!

Nina

Count me in too from UK

In-Person would be best. Nothing beats the interaction and meeting new friends. Just getting away from the normal day-to-day environment gives your mind a boost.

Dan,

I would have to add my name to the online course crowd. Being self taught, I don't have a problem with online courses. However, I found the biggest factor in finding a good online course is the software used. Being a big Macromedia / Adobe fan, I was quite impressed with the online seminars and tutorials I saw from Macromedia with their Breeze online presentations. It allows for voice from the presenter, screen sharing and texting of questions in real time to the presenter. The only problem we had was that with 100's of attendee's, not everyone's question got answered. But since we are talking about a smaller audience, maybe that might be a better option.

I don't know the pricing on Breeze or what is required, I just remember being impressed with the functionality and the quality of the video and audio.

Just a thought.

Follow Up:

I did a quick check after the last post for Macromedia Breeze, which is now called Adobe Connect. While the monthly packages are quite expensive ($750 a month for 10 users). They do have a pay per use option, which is .32 cents per user, which would work out to be about $20 for a one hour session per user. Given everyone is talking about travel and setting up space for a live seminar, it might be a viable option. I am including a link.

https://service.acrobat.com/cfusion/bots/purchase/index.cfm

Hi Dan: I'm new here. Just finished your ebook - SEO Fast Start - sent to me by another marketer. Great read - excellent info - will start using a lot of your strategies first thing tomorrow morning.

I would love a group meeting in Dallas. Count me in. I lived there about 25 years ago and would love to go back. Can't thing of a better reason than one of your seminars.

Another one keen for a UK live event. Can help set up if that's useful.

Please do it at Houston!

Check your mail guys, I've had to cancel it for now.

Sorry to hear it. I was really looking forward to it. Marguerite

Why not do both?

Setup an online class that is available at the exact same time the physical class is available. It shouldn't me that difficult to do.

Hi Dan,

Online is convenient for me since I live in Japan.
Could you come to Japan? ;->

I would you like to provide me with recorded videos of the courses so that I can study them again and again.

Dear Dan,
Unless something changes soon I won't be able to continue Stomper Net. Your taking charge organization is going to make a big change in helping us to access information and grow the business. I will definitely be ready for anything that you have to put forward to us. I prefer to spend less money at this time but I would love a 2 day seminar with you. I'm really excited about some of the changes that I'm making.

Bit by bit I'm getting on track with organic searches and hope to have some significant changes in place in 2 weeks. Your book that you allow us to download for free has been an enormous help to me. As a a non technical type person in the business of real estate it has been a lifsaver. Wow That's flowery enough to blow your head into outer space.

Just a quick note, for those in the UK - Alan Perkins is coming out to give this class on October 24th:
http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/a4u/oct07/training.html#site

There are only a few people who have my absolute confidence in when it comes to SEO - Alan is one of them. The man knows his stuff.

I would love an in person event. Has there been anymore information on an upcomming class?

I have been considering taking the Bruce Clay SEO class in California but I have had recommendations for Dan and with that would prefer to attend something he has setup

It would be great to have a class. I was disappointed you were unable to have a group last time. As always I learn so much and you have already given so much free that I feel it would be good to have an opportunity to participate and pay for the seminar. Thanks again so much. Marguerite

It doesn't matter to me because I'm in the Dallas area.

I'm planning for a live show in June, and I think everyone will be *extremely* pleased with the price.

An in person event would be likely to attract mainly those living in the US.

I live in France ergo I favor an online class.

Richard

I think a live class would be great. I live in the US, and would love to sit down over a couple of shots of Tequila with you, but with trying to run a couple of businesses and with the way air travel is getting so screwed up I find it very difficult to attend conferences.

An SEO Fast Start video series would be great. At times I think I'm dumber than a post while reading through the SEO fast start book. I'm more of visual learner.

Jeez, I might even be willing to pay $1.25 US for it.

Just kidding about the price.

The video course will cost a *little* more than that, but with Stompernet behind it, it won't cost nearly as much as I'd need to sell it for myself.

We're looking at available locations for a live event June 25-27. That's not a guaranteed date, but that's what we're working on right now.

Lee!! I know what you mean about reading the Fast Start Book. It's great, BTW … but I need to see stuff AND read about it AND see it being done.

Sigh.

So a video course would be great for me, too. Especially as I'm in the UK, so can't get to events so easily.

Dan, do you do hourly consulting? I need advice on one of my sites SEO problems, willing to pay.

Chad, I'm not doing any coaching outside of Stompernet right now, and that's unlikely to change. I do have a few 'backdoor passes' to sign people up for membership if you wanted to go that route.

Yea this looks like a great option! I signed up on the waiting list for the membership program, but didn't receive anything back from you. Could you shoot us an email if we got in, and let me know where to pay?

I think it's a great idea coaching people online. I've been attending a few SEO seminars off-line and I can tell you that it's very costly, I'd spend my travel expenses on something else::))

i personal would prefer online … for online courses people all over the world can attend .