Jan 30, 2007 - Events    5 Comments

Always London

I have often wondered why everything seems to centre around one of the most expensive and anonymous cities in the UK? Today I received an invitation from a merchant to a breakfast and presentation so I could sample some of the products they provide on their website and to learn more about their affiliate program. A very kind gesture, and those that know me, I never usually pass on free food!

Unfortunately, I’ve only just come back from Vegas so don’t really have the get up and go to pack my bags again, in such a short space of time and head down south. The other issue I have is the expense!

If I were to book weeks in advance, I could easily get a plane or train for less than £100 return, and a hotel for around the £150 mark. Add on top of this the usual expenses such as drinks, food etc and before you know it the figure is heading towards the £400 mark. £400 which I could throw into a PPC campaign!

I know the A4U events have greatly improved, and now feature in cities around the country, but I still feel that Networks and Merchants consider London is the only place to ‘do business’. I know I am not alone when it comes to holding a gripe about the location of such events, and wish we could get a pin, stick it in the middle of the UK and hold future events and presentations there making it easier and fair for all concerned. In my own experience when an event is held north of Birmingham, the attendance is noticeably lower from all involved, Networks, Merchants and Affiliates.

The solution? Hold them in Las Vegas or follow Affiliate Future‘s example and take a few of us away to Barbados ;)

  • http://www.affiliatemarketingblog.co.uk/ Clarke

    I hear you! A4U been pretty good as they spread them out over the full country, I have to say the ones outside of London have always been notably better, wonder why that is?

    I have a feeling if Matt was not from Bristol but from London that might be a different kettle of fish, besides its always good visiting London for a few days and thinking, thank goodness I don’t have to live here :)

    London bashing aside it costs me a small fortune, around £12k a year to go to events and if I bring more people that can easy triple as you have to get 3 of everything to pay for and as you know Paid On Results is not flush with other peoples money to spend on marketing, and all money we earn is reinvested back in to the business to allow our steady all be it a little slower than I like growth.

    Anyway more choice in places for events gets my vote, but if it has to be in London try for something starting after lunch time so I don’t need to get up at 4am or fly down the day before ;)

  • http://www.onelittleduck.co.uk/ Jason

    Totally agree with the sentiments – to get to London for an early morning appointment we need to do an overnight stay, and then with events running all day, it’s a further stay over – ok the costs can be written off, but going to regular events does mount up in terms of time too.

    I’ve also enjoyed the non-London events much more than the London ones… guess us country folk don’t mix well with those city types ;)

  • http://www.exwebjunkie.com James

    The fantastic Samuel Johnson once said:

    “Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

    I think that still holds true. Can understand why it might be annoying for those of you who happen to live outside of the mighty city but it is our capital after all and where the merchant you mentioned resides!

  • http://www.webaffiliate.co.uk Chris Frost

    James, unfortunately I, and many others, will disagree and think SLJ was a tad narrow minded when making that comment.

    for there is in London all that life can afford

    Please….. Find me a fantastic hilly country walk where you can sit down and contemplate life, something similar to the Lake District. A train journey where you can ride in comfort and chat to strangers stood next to you.

    As for the mighty city, again this is a matter a of opinion not a matter of fact, and tends to be in the eyes of only people who live there, after all they weren’t mighty enough to get a super casino ;)

    I do find it a tad annoying, but also think its a little inconsiderate that it’s always expected that affiliates should travel. As for the specific menchant I mention, it is not a gripe at them, as my post says I was honoured to be asked, it’s is just a general feel for the industry as a whole.

  • http://www.leemccoy.co.uk Lee McCoy

    Completely agree Chris.

    There’s more to life than London, like the greatest football clubs, the most accomodating females, the cheapest beer and the most friendly people.

    I like living where men are men and the women are proud of them (isn’t that from Monty Python?)

    It’s great oop north!

    Lee