The Kelsey Group will be launching the “Drilling Down on Local 08″ conference on 30 April-2 May 08 in Seattle, Washington.  The Kelsey Group is the leading provider of research, data and strategic analysis on directories, small-business advertising, online local media, vertical market advertising and mobile advertising.   This will be an outstanding conference to attend if you have the opportunity.  Here is the link to sign-up.

In a recent report released by the Kelsey Group, it is forecasted that interactive advertising revenues will grow from US$45 billion in 2007 to US$147 billion globally by 2012.  This is a great market to embrace that has exponential growth in the years to come. 

There are many domainers that are not fans of the geo domain industry, and do not believe it will amount to anything.  Many feel it is only a small niche of the domain industry.  I forecast that it will become the domain industry in the near future as the market evolves.  Nothing stays the same, especially on the internet.  $147 billion by 2012 should paint a clear picture of this evolution that is occuring on the internet.  Even the most generic name wants to be local.  It is now mandatory that you deliver local information on generic domains.  Consumers expect nothing less, and the online market validates this statement.  

For you non-believers out there who do not believe in the geo domain industy, read the topic highlight the Kelsey Group will be discussing.   Leveraging Geodomains.  The proof is always in the pudding.

Drilling Down on Local ‘08 is The Kelsey Group’s 14th conference since 1997 devoted to interactive local media and local online commerce. Session highlights include:

    –  Remaking of the Los Angeles Times (Online)
    –  The Revolution in Classifieds
    –  Microsoft in Local
    –  Localizing National Verticals
    –  Leveraging Geolocation: Phone, Wi-Fi and GPS
    –  Vertical Breakout Sessions: Real Estate, Travel, Auto, Events
    –  The Online City: Close Up on Seattle
    –  Leveraging Geodomains

(via PRnewswire.com)

 Out of the Box Thought

Sem-i-nar:  any meeting for exchanging information and holding discussions

In realestate, most of the seminars are designed to educate an individual how to maximize their revenue thru proven tactics for a set fee.   They are normally 1 to 3 day workshops depending on the content being delivered and makeup of the audience.

Every industry has these types of seminars throughout the world that thousands attend. Those that do not, have conferences and expos.  

Now lets focus on the local market and potential advertising clients.  Time is money, and cold calling businesses to advertise on your geo domain one at a time is just plain silly.  Effective time management is needed to accomplish a task that will pay you residual income for your hard work done today. 

Geopreneurs with prime domains in an area should network and organize local quarterly seminars for businesses to educate them on the effectiveness of internet advertising on a intuitive brand, such as a city.com name.  Unfortunately, there are thousands of business owners that are uneducated on the power of the internet and targeted traffic.  Business owners want and need to be educated whether they know it or not, and the best people to do it are Geopreneurs with prime geo domains of the area. 

One seminar could gather 100 or more business owners thru farm mailing and promotion thru different services.  By doing this, the content is delivered one time to a targeted crowd, enabling Geopreneurs to sign-up new clients into their advertising network.  Why focus your energy and time on chasing a potential client thru cold calling, when you can have them come to you willing to learn and spend?      

 Are any geopreneurs with prime property doing this already or tried ?  What was the outcome?  If not, is there another game plan you currently have working that is just as effective?

Steve