Is it worth it to attend a weekend long free seminar?

Question

hello bp family! I have a question that I would like you guys' opinions on if possible: is it worth it to go to a weekend long rei seminar (times are fri-sun 9am-6pm each day)? have you guys found any success in attending something like this? was it worth your time?

there is one coming up in my area and part of me wants to go because I want to learn all I can, but also, in all honesty that is a LONG TIME! I may get bored, info overload, etc. they say that they won't try to up sell anything. idk if they will be giving any additional info that I don't already have access to (bp, books, etc)

i am not a lazy person and understand that sometimes we have to do tedious things to be successful but I just want to know if it's worth it before I spend my entire weekend/12+ hours at a seminar. thanks in advance for yalls help! :)

Andrew Johnson · Answer

@Dominique Ivey Maybe a few thoughts, please try to take them as constructive but they might come across terse...

1.) If you get bored, have information overload, etc. then think about whether real estate is right for you.  Building pro-formas for investment companies, loan application processes, etc. are all tedious, boring, and you'll spend way more than 12 hours doing that (more than likely) before you buy your first property.  If anything, you should relish the chance to get 12 hours of information.

2.) You have the manage your expectations.  Of course it's a sales pitch, of course they're going to just give you hints and snippets about what awaits you in the "Platinum Coaching Program".  They have to make money.  Hotel ballrooms aren't free, they likely aren't doing this out of their charitable heart, etc.

3.) What else would you be doing with your time?  If you're booked to see three potential properties over the weekend and have to postpone those visits and risk a deal, that's one thing.  If you'd spend the time watching the basketball playoffs (not that I'd blame you) that's another.

4.) You can bail at the first lunch break if it's not for you.  So you're basically making time investments in 3 hour increments.  All it takes is one idea you haven't thought of before, new perspective, etc. for each 3 hours session and it's (more than likely) a great use of your time.

5.) You may consider going just to see who shows up.  Is it realtors, other investors, hard money lenders, etc.  And you also might want to see how many people show up.  If it's a jam packed ballroom of 500 people all with their notepads out that want to learn how to send yellow letters to wholesale properties you'll at least know what you're up against in the ecosystem.

Anyway, just some random musings on reasons you might want to go, at least for the first segment.

Bob B. · Answer

@Dominique Ivey

Leave your credit cards and check book at home.  While you will learn something from the seminar, it is a 2 day infomercial and you have the right to leave (with your money) at any time.

Alex Deacon · Answer

@Dominique Ivey I would definitely attend. You can always walk out if its not a rewarding seminar. There is no doubt they are going to try to sell you on some coaching program or the next biggest best thing. I would soak up as much knowledge from anywhere I could and continue to educate yourself until you are ready to act. I have been doing this 25 years and have done thousands of deals and I still attend them once in a while. You are always learning. The one I attended was all weekend just like this. Robin Thompson was the instructor and she was very good and tried to sell you on a boot camp and mentorship program. I this is helpful please give me a vote and good luck

Best Wishes

Dominique Ivey · Answer

@Alex Deacon yes you are right I could leave at anytime. I know it seems quite obvious but idk why I didn't think of that. I was thinking more "all or nothing"/ go for the whole thing or don't go at all. #sillyme lol

@David Dachtera yes its free in the sense that I didn't necessarily have to pay for the seminar itself. I got a free ticket to attend because I am a member of my local reia.

@Joe Hughis @Nick Colamarino I'm expecting to learn as much as possible, nothing really specific I guess, just open to learning anything/everything that I possibly can. they provided a brief list on some of the topics that they will cover, but Idk exactly how in depth they will go. the last "wholesale" meeting I attended they literally only spent like 2 minutes out of 1.5 hours talking about wholesaling so hopefully this is different!

@Bob B. @Stephen E.  yes I will definitely leave my money/emotions/urge to buy anything at home!!!

@Andrew Johnson nothing wrong with a little "tough love" lol! its not like I have anything really going with my rei business just yet (I'm optimistic that this will happen eventually though!) so that is why I am considering going in the first place. I never know who I will meet/what I will learn/how I will get inspired, etc. but I know that I will leave with something that I didn't have before, and if it does become to "sales-y" I can always leave.

@Ronnie S. awesome!!! idk if i will get that lucky but i will keep my fingers crossed lol ;)

I'm going to check it out. I am sure I will get something out of this, even if its just stepping out of my comfort zone and networking with other investors in my area. I will post later as to how it went. again, thanks everyone for taking the time to respond! I really appreciate it!

David Dachtera · Answer

@Dominique Ivey,

Are you SURE it's a free seminar? You know what they say - you get what you pay for. It's very likely to be a sell-a-thon.

I've heard of other 3-days, but they charge anywhere from $198 to $1999, depending who is putting it on.

Stephen E. · Answer

@Dominique Ivey

Pro:

Exposure to other investors who are in different stages of investing. Learn through snippets and a notebook that your write upon. Different view point for how to accomplish investing or your own personal goals. Meet another who shares your passion and niche. Overall networking and some learning.

Con:

I have seen the webinars and attended many seminars myself. The issue have had with them is they give you just enough to make you want more and I agree with @Bob B. about leaving your money at home if you have trouble controlling impulses. They are designed to sell to people who are looking for a quick buck. I think I can say we have all been there and then realize that true freedom is earned through knowledge, practice and experience. I have a saying, "The speed of which you earn is the speed in which you lose it."

Question to all: Is it appropriate to ask what seminar this is?  Who is hosting or sponsoring the event?

Ronnie S. · Answer

I attended a "Free" weekend seminar about 5 years ago and it was good.

Everyone there has a common goal and that is to learn about REI.

It is interesting to hear what other people have to say...some good and some bad.

You will take away a couple of nuggets and don't get wrapped up with all the sales pitches.

On a side note...I did win a Samsung Tablet as a door prize :)

Nick C. · Answer

I wouldn't worry about information overload. Maybe information underload. It really depends on your knowledge level. These seminars are sometimes good to gain a basic understanding of how real estate works, but for the most part you're going to be listening to cheerleading and success stories. So yes, you may also get bored.

And no, they will not be giving you any additional info that's not in books or here on BP. They save that for the $50k mentoring program.

Joe Hughis · Answer

@Dominique Ivey - I think the better question to ask yourself, is what do you expect to get out of it?  If you are doing it for networking then it's always worth your time to get out there and shake some hands and get to know people on a face-to-face level.  If you are looking to gain knowledge and info, then it's worth attending at least one session to see if it what you expected.  Any time spend pursuing advancement in yourself or your career is a worthy endeavor.

Stephen E. · Answer

Is this the National REIA Leadership Conference? If so please let us know how it went. If not please let us know your experience. It will help education ourselves and others more effectively.

Is it worth it to attend a weekend long free seminar?

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