Yesterday, I spent all day in an Internet Marketing workshop. When you go to these one-day “seminars,” you can always learn something new – if you go in with the right mindset – especially when you know that it is going to involve a sales presentation.

Most of these workshops do involve people marketing something to “sell,” and I have no problem with that. Aren’t we all in the “marketing” business? Isn’t everyone trying to “sell” something? If Mark and I decide that we’re going to see a movie, I “sell” him on what movie I want to see. If you and a friend are deciding where to have lunch, do you ever “sell” her on a place to eat? Anytime someone is using persuasion for any reason, that is a form of “selling.” And, everyone of us do it everyday.

Just the words marketing and selling turn some people off. But it’s not so much the act of marketing or selling, it’s the “way” people go about it. I spent a good part of the day not only focused on the information the speaker had to share – and it was excellent information – but also studying the delivery of the various players in the room.

It is true that we have something to learn from everyone we meet, and I learned a lot both from the sales people and the attendees at this meeting. But, as is the case with just about anything, you can learn only when you have an open mind.

Ultimately, although it was a good program with a good product, I did not fall prey to the mob mentality and “buy now” or miss it forever. One of the things that I “learned” is that – for me – I make the best decisions when I have had a chance to research, understand, and analyze the opportunity presented to me, rather than to make a quick, emotional decision.