Cybernet Expo (june 8-11)

Your point is taken and I understand.

But....(aways a godo but) the target group is a bit different between gay and non-gay...but what is the same is:

servers
bandwidth
encoding
PPV/VOD/Membership management
lighting, sounds, tapes
cameras
locations
contracts
legal issues (2257 and such)
costs, profits
models that are stupid
finding good staff

Yes...there is a difference in the final tweaking of marketing but there is more issues that we have that is the same. That way why I go to all the non-gay seminars. Okay, so it is fun to watch the non-gay crown get worried that that gays are gaining ground but the information is good.

We are still selling and promoting adult porn and we should try to learn from each other and even exchange traffic with each other. But that is another full soap box.

We all own and operate a business and it's relationships that make us better and stronger. I would rather have good contacts with the non-gay companies and create more contacts with the gay companies at each and every event.

I think we need to make a good showing.
If nothing else, we can continue this conversation and we can do a pre-party....tour a data-center....do something on a boad (get your minds out of the gutter)...or something fun. There is a lot of us that are in 100 miles of San Diego.

Keep this thread going and let's hear who is coming and what ideas you would have before, during or after the event.

Something gay only???
What topics????

Steven

Well... part of my many jobs with the Cybernet Expo is putting together all the seminars and speakers. I won't be announcing the topics and the speakers I have on board until early March... but Steven brings up some good ideas.

I like to think that the seminars at Cybernet from years past are second to none...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steven619

models that are stupid

---

Speak for your own models, please.

Many of our models are in grad school. One of our guys at the Alumni Weekend 3 shoot was finishing up his Masters in engineering while we were between scenes.

One of our guys owns a rather successful land development business and many own and run their own businesses.

one of our guys is designing furniture and one is a finishing up his law degree.

Anyway, you're right that the hardware and software are the same, but I can't say that the "Final marketing tweaking" is a bit different.

Take a look at the thread that Juicy started about his "Gay" banners for that "Fleshlight" thing... THOSE attrocities were made by someone who thought that to market to a gay audience, you just have to "tweak" it a bit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steven619

Something gay only???
What topics????

Steven

---

I'd love to see something on how to get straight traffic to convert. i know that there's lots of curious men out there, and the internet allows them to have a private way of exploring that.

I'd like to see something about gay marketing in general.

but so far, you've got my attention.. which isn't easy to do.

So.. yeah..

oh, and me and boats are always lots of fun until I start to drink and move and barf.. but hey.. keeps people talking, so count me in..

But LAJ has to be there too. :jasun:

Forgive my general comments about models.

No matter how I'll be in trouble....but...in me experience I have found 90% models are "one timers" and not that motivated.
The other 10% are super, very professional, and represent us well. There are even a few on this board that operate their own websites, marketing, and are always looking for new ideas. One person on the board, Pierre Fitch, seems to be doing a great job.

There are a few sites like RandyBlue, CorbinFisher, ChaosinAustin, And..of course...Fratmen that look, act, and appear to be a more professional then some other sites. Forgive me if I missed a few of what I call TIER 1 sites with top models.

Now, back to the big topic.

Gay Marketing...
Great idea and can offers a lot of subtopics?

How about?

Pay Per Click optimization and tracking?
Business structures (LLC, C, Sole Proprietorship)
Finding and directing models
Lighting and Sound setup suggestions
How to start and use TGP
Server tweaks (.htaccess, firewalls, DOS protection...)
Gay/Non-Gay networking
Search Engine Optimization


Roundtable made up of peers?
Guest experts? (inside our group or outside)

I'm willing to try to get at least one or two of these off the ground if I get some good suggestions and if there is one or two others that can keep me on target. We will try to avoid...at all costs....letting the audience lead the group off on a tangent and make sure they don't ask "How much do you pay for ....." over and over again.

We will still have a gay only event even if it's at our office, local gay bar, or someplace as fab.

Steven

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steven619

We will still have a gay only event even if it's at our office, local gay bar, or someplace as fab. Steven

---

I would hope that individuals would run this "gay event" as a part of the show.... and at the very least have something at the hotel, as opposed to having some event in the same city as the event, feeding off the people who happen to be in town because the Expo pulled them there.

That would be kind of exploitative.


Steve

Yes, I agree....

Besides, it will give us homosexuals a chance to try to find a stright site or two and exhange some form of traffic.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by desslock

I would hope that individuals would run this "gay event" as a part of the show.... and at the very least have something at the hotel, as opposed to having some event in the same city as the event, feeding off the people who happen to be in town because the Expo pulled them there.

That would be kind of exploitative.


Steve

---

That happens with every show unfortunately...

I would love to have some sort of cocktail party or event at Cybernet Expo for the Gay Market... any one wants to pitch an idea to me please email jay at ynot dot com ... I would need to discuss with my Partner Fay Sharp.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by boyfunk

Ya know, it's one of those "chicken and egg" things.

There's no gay presence because there's no gay presence.

If a bunch of gay webmasters would commit to going, I think a bunch of other people would probably show up.

---

This is, of course, very true, and also very indicative of why AEE has traditionally been boycotted by many of the gay porn companies. This year, however, there was a much bigger turn-out for the gay companies than before. I talked with a few of the exhibitors and, while there were certainly times on the show floor when the models were stuck with nothing to do, many of them said that they were much happier with the amount of people who visited the gay section of the show this year. It takes some time to grow things. The problem with a lot of people is that they expect to show up and just have it be this amazing turnout the first time around, and if it's not, they get frustrated and don't come back. From a business point of view, you can understand why some companies choose not to spend their money on something that's not a sure thing, but without the companies putting in the time and effort, it's tough to sell certain venues to the market as worthwhile experiences. A vicious circle for sure.

Cybernet has a reputation as a straight party. In my humble opinion, if they want gay companies to come, they need to give them an incentive--lower sponsor rates, reduced attendance fees, something to draw them there. If my history serves me correctly, the Forum actively sought out gay companies--as more attended, then more attended. Cybernet needs to do something other than asking nice.

It's a hop skip and a jump for us -- we're near Sacramento -- and so we may just come down and have a small presence.

I echo the points that many of the discussion issues apply to both straight and gay, and I'd also advocate having a gay seminar or a roundtable/networking event for gay webmasters -- or both -- that's directly associated with Cybernet, rather than something that's a sidecar event happening at the same time.

We would be totally down for participating in a roundtable event, or even being on a panel if anyone thinks AJ or I have anything to say that anyone wants to hear :) or just showing up and networking and learning from others. And we have a new property that crosses boundaries into the straight market, so this could be a great event for us... but our breat and butter is still gay, so I also echo Chad's thoughts that some sort of incentive/support/seminar presence/something that encourages gay webmaster attendance would definitely help to swing our votes in the direction of going.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chadknowslaw

Cybernet has a reputation as a straight party. In my humble opinion, if they want gay companies to come, they need to give them an incentive--lower sponsor rates, reduced attendance fees, something to draw them there. If my history serves me correctly, the Forum actively sought out gay companies--as more attended, then more attended. Cybernet needs to do something other than asking nice.

---

With all due respect, I'm guessing you haven't organized a full scale trade show before. Let me ask you this... what happens if the amateur community asks for lower sponsor rates? How about if fetish webmasters request 1/2 price admission? How is it fair to offer one market incentives but not to another? What if major "straight" sponsors then decide they want a price reduction?

I look at it this way... all trade shows are what you make of them... if you go to party, then you party. If you go to get business done, then you get business done. I certainly plan to consider putting together a seminar or two involving gay interests and talking with Fay on having a gay cocktail party... the point I'm making is, this show is for everyone. It's very affordable and gives everyone a level playing field.