Entries Tagged 'Sessions' ↓

This thing is really gathering steam. We are exceeding our projections for the small, intimate, informal discussion on the Internet Lead Market. I want to make sure that everyone that wants to come can and everyone gets the opportunity to have a great participating experience. So, here are a couple of things we need your help in doing:

First, if you are waiting until the last minute to register, don’t. We need a good count to prepare a great experience. In order to do that, we are going to have to raise “day of the event” registration to $150. So, register now for only $99.

Second, if we go over 50 participants we will need to open another track of sessions. So, I will need more discussion leaders. So, if you are interested email me [bill dot rice at kaleidico].

Technorati Tags:
leads2007

On Facebook: Mortgage Lead Buyers, Leads2007 Event
On LinkedIn: Groups is currently down on LinkedIN so if you want to connect put your profile link (Bill Rice) (and email [bill dot rice at kaleidico] if inclined) in a comment to this post
On Twitter: Leads2007
On LeadCritic: LeadCritic Forum
On the Wiki: Leads2007 Wiki
On the Blog: Leads2007 Blog

Technorati Tags:
leads2007, social media, social networks

As Leads2007 quickly approaches it is time to begin preparing. The unconference format is very different and these differences can make it a very valuable experience for all participants. Much of this valuable experience delivery sits in the hands of the session leader.

It is critical that each leader understands the ground-rules and their very important role in providing a quality experience.

What it isn’t?

• No sales pitches
• No 45 min PowerPoint decks
• No expert panels
• No spoon fed top 10 silver bullets
• No Q&A sessions
• No ties

What it is?

• A discussion. Think a blog or online forum
• Discussion leaders are like reporters researching a story
• Discussion leaders are also the editors–they can cut a conversation if the point has been made or if someone begins a commercial
• Everyone participates, and may be asked direct questions (better pay attention)
• Time is limited, so make your point and keep it moving
• Prepare. Read the Leads2007 blog and others that are writing about these topics
• An opportunity to get exactly what you want–you’re the conference
• On the record. There will be bloggers, podcasters, and media
• Informal. Wear your favorite t-shirt–my Dogs Playing Poker shirt is neatly pressed and ready
• The University venue was chosen by design–think big, be provocative!
• Lot’s of fun!

Now specifically for the session leaders:

• Start the discussion now. If you have a blog, start blogging. If not find one to comment on or engage in a forum or use slideshare.net
• Think of the session as a blog
• Use a couple of slides or a few introductory comments (5 min or less) to get the discussion rolling
• Pepper the audience with questions
• Call on specific people
• Introduce people in the audience that you think have experience on a topic
• Be provocative!
• Take a contrarian view
• Have fun!

As we get closer and closer to Leads2007 it is time for the participants to get prepared. That’s right if you are coming you need to put in a little prep work. Remember, there are no “expert speakers.” You are the experts, you are the speakers.

So, here are a few important things to remember about an unconference that will help in getting prepared (note: much of this I will be sourcing from what I regard as the definitive guide to unconferences):

Fundamental Laws

You have to first start with the two fundamental laws of an unconference:

Law of Experts: The sum of the expertise of the people in the audience is greater than the sum of expertise of the people on stage.

and

Law of Two Feet: Any person neither learning from nor contributing to a group discussion must walk to another one.

Participation

The two fundamental premise to the unconference very clearly sets the expectation that this is an open, free flowing, dynamic conversation. Consequently, it is important that each participant is prepared. This preparation should include some fundamental thought about each session, which hopefully includes provocative questions and opinions.

Most of our discussion leaders and participants have already begun the discussion in various blogs, comments, and forums. In addition, many of the discussion leaders will begin the conversation about their sessions over the next few weeks in these online venues. I suggest you take a look and even engage before the event. Here are some of the links:

Better Closer Blog
BigMortgageLeads Blog
The Complex System
DoublePositive Blog
Ideas Everywhere
LeadCritic Blog
LeadCritic Forum
Lead Marketwatch Blog
LeadPoint Blog
Leads360 Blog
Mercury451
Paul Knag
ZipSearch Blog

Structure

Don’t confuse the open and dynamic nature of the unconference as a lack of structure. The unconference has a unique format and very specific “rules of engagement,” if you will. Therefore, the structure is specific, but the content is you–open, dynamic, and personalized.

This is the way Leads2007 is structured:

• The venue is a University–by design–think big and share openly
• Sessions were discussed, proposed, and requested by the participants
• Discussion leaders volunteered to champion the conversations and moderate
• Discussion leaders will be given specific instructions and guidelines
• Sales pitches are not allowed and will be quickly truncated from the discussion (save it for the hallway, breaks, and evening)
• If you don’t like the session or the discussion change it with your dialogue and debate

Immortalizing the Event

If, for whatever unfortunate reason, you are unable to attend don’t fear you will have lots of opportunity to experience much of the value of the conference.

It will be video and audio recorded. We have a court reporter scheduled for our hearing impaired, so we anticipate a full transcript. We have podcasters scheduled and ready to broadcast. There is wi-fi so I expect a lot of blogging and twittering. We might even be able to pull off some live interaction with webcasting and IRC. There will be lots of links to all of these resources as they become available.

Typically, there is almost as much discussion after the unconference as before.

Opportunity

So, we have turned the tables on the traditional; sit in a dark room, watch another powerpoint presentation, with a not so subtle product pitch, check your blackberry, and hope they have chocolate chip cookies at the next break, conference. Now, it is your turn to capitalize on the experience. I have attended other unconferences and here are a few things I can guarantee will come from this event:

• Smarter, tighter networked current and future leadership in the space
• Changes in the way we work together in the Lead “Ecosystem”
• New customers, partners, and friends
• New products and services
• New businesses
• The inspiration to do it again

Don’t forget to register if you haven’t already. I look forward to seeing all of you in Tampa, FL!

Technorati Tags:
kaleidico, lead buying, lead generation, lead providers, leadpoint, lead management, doublepositive, marketing, sales, zipsearch, leads2007, mortgage lenders, mortgage lead buying, Internet leads, lead critic, atul patel, paul knag, leads360

Leads2007 is only three weeks away and there is assembling a great mix of some of the smartest individuals in the Internet lead industry; ranging the full spectrum of lead supplier to buyer. If you have not yet registered please do so as soon as possible so we can get an accurate count for the sponsored events and room sizes. It’s only $99, what are you thinking about? Register here!

Leads360 will be kicking things off with a great pre-event mixer! Starting at 7:00 pm on Sunday, August 12th at a great Tampa venue–Big City Tavern in downtown Tampa.

If you have not checked out the current sessions agenda at the Leads2007 Wiki here is a quick rundown:

• Improving Customer Experience, Atul Patel
• Innovations in Lead Generation, John Challis, LeadPoint
• Contact and Telemarketing Teams
• Increasing Pull-Through with Technology, Jeff Gombala, LenderFlex
• Balancing the Lead Ecosystem, Paul Knag, American Home Mortgage
• How to Make Money/Lead Buying 101, Noel Collins, EquityDirect
• Convert Leads with PR and New Media, Bill Rice, Kaleidico
• Measuring and Analyzing Leads, Michael Ferree, LEI Financial
• LEADS2007 Top 10 Takeaways, Keith Burwell, Kaleidico

See you in Tampa!

Technorati Tags:
kaleidico, leads2007, Internet leads

The Leads2007 Agenda is firming up with some great sessions. I look forward to the interesting discussions these topics are sure to bring.

Here are a few things Leads2007 still needs:

• A few more session facilitators–pick your favorite topic to lead
• A sponsor for the second event on Monday night
• A sponsor for registration

If you are interested contact Kaleidico at 866-667-5253.

Technorati Tags:
leads2007, Internet leads

Leads2007 is quickly approaching and there is no better (cheaper-$99) way to instantly increase your Internet Leads conversion rate than these two days. You will have access to the top leadership and minds in this emerging space. Register today and reserve your, conversion increasing, front row seat to the Internet Leads industry.

Here is an example of the type of keys to success that will be discussed at Leads2007:

Jason Stoffer, Outlines the 5 Keys to Success n a Hot Transfer Environment
Lead Critic, Says Hasta La Vista to Non-Producers
Chris Beauchamp, Introduces The Evolving Lead Generation Lexicon: Introducing Cost Per Qualified Lead
Paul Knag, Tells you how to Build Your Own Skype Virtual Call Center
Me, I am a big advocate of contact teams and building your salesforce around them

This is just a quick example of the quality of the discussion and innovation that is in-store for all participants. Get registered today or get left behind.

Technorati Tags:
doublepositive, leads2007, mortgage lenders, mortgage lead buying, Internet leads

This is an unconference about the lead market.

So, if you are a:

• lead buyer (mortgage, education, insurance, any vertical),
• lead provider,
• lead management solution,
• other technology provider,
• consulting firm,
• VC,
• journalist, or
• otherwise participate or want to participate

…in the growing and evolving Internet lead market–then you should be here.

This is the first and only conference that is singularly focused on this topic and has the open forum to actively discuss the issues that are most important to you!

Here is a perfect example of the current perception of our industry and the role Internet buyers and sellers play in helping consumers:

1. Rhonda Parker’s, “Joe Buyer and the Lending Treehouse of Horror: Part 1 and Part 2”

2. Dallas Loan Guy’s, “When Banks Compete, You Lose!”

3. My thoughts

Leads2007 is about getting together the top thought leadership in the industry to discuss these scenarios and perceptions. Create and discuss best practices. Develop evangelists to improve and expand the market.

Let’s face it the consumer has already told us that 80% prefer to start their mortgage and home buying on the Internet.

Now lets figure out how to build a better experience and a longer term trust-based relationship on the Internet. See you there!

Things are taking shape and moving very quickly. This is guaranteed to be the smartest and biggest ROI event you attend this year. Here are some highlights:

• We have commitments from top 10 originators like American Home Mortgage and smaller Internet origination powerhouses like Equity Direct Mortgage and LEI Financial
• Lead generation innovators like: “hot transfer” luminary Joey Liner of DoublePositive, LeadPoint founders of the lead exchange
• A couple of other smart guys in my space–lead management–Charles Chase and Doug Davis of Leads360.
• Leadership behind some of the biggest Internet media companies like: Oversee.net
• Several solid, consistent, niche lead providers that provide a variety of lead types like: ConsumerTrack and JuicyLeads
• There are also several journalist, new media, and venture capitalists sniffing around the event too–come on in folks and get a strong pulse on the current state and where things are headed.

So, regardless if you are trying to figure out how to successfully start buying and converting Internet leads or you have ideas on how to revolutionize the Internet lead buying and selling marketplace there will be the discussions and leadership at Leads2007 to make an immediate impact on your goals.

Don’t forget to

Technorati Tags:
leads2007, lead generation, lead management, mortgage lenders