Virtual WordPress

[chipbennett]

So that I stop cluttering up Jeff's comment thread on his Virtual WordCamp post, I'll start collecting information here.

What we know thus far:

Event details:

When: Week of 14 September 2009

Cost: $69 for the first 1,000 registrations (after which, cost increases)

What: Live participation in and archive access to Webinars (for first 1,000 registrations, after which archive-only access)

Who: Thus far, no confirmed speakers

Website: www.virtualwordcamp.com

The Person Behind VWC:

Who: Gina Bell

What: Appears to be an internet entrepreneur/marketer of virtual events

Websites:

www.ginabellinc.com
www.virtualeventsmadeeasy.com

The Truth Behind VWC:

Unfortunately, VWC appears to be nothing more than a marketing ploy designed to generate a six-figure revenue for Gina Bell, as well as give her fame/credibility/authority in the WordPress/WordCamp community.

From her Virtual Events Made Easy marketing [emphasis in original]:

So let me ask you this …

• What if that dream of thousands of targeted subscribers almost overnight could become your reality?
• And what if you could add instant credibility and profit to that dream come true too?
• Would you be interested in knowing how to make this happen? For real?

Now, I know what you’re thinking already … what’s the catch? As I said already, it’s normal for you to feel suspicious when there’s so much hype and empty promises about overnight success out there on the net.

But what I’m talking about here is an honest-to-goodness, ethical and authentic marketing strategy that’s actually a lot of fun too.

I’ve done it multiple times, my clients have done it, my colleagues do it too. And it is literally the BEST way to grow your business in leaps and bounds.

No more pulling your hair out or throwing towels around – I promise you!

The strategy is Virtual Events, also known as tele-series and telesummits.

My colleagues, my clients and I increase our community of subscribers and customers AND generate revenue in the biggest way possible with virtual events.

And also [emphasis in original]:

And, I’m beyond excited to be collaborating on a forthcoming virtual event that is projected to be our first 6-figure virtual event!

This is what I've dug up so far.



Does anyone have any information regarding:

1. Any connection between Gina Bell and anyone in the WordPress commnity?
2. Any WordPress speakers having been invited to speak (or who have accepted/been confirmed as speakers)?
3. Any reason to believe that this whole thing is anything mroe than a money-making, name-recognition-building exercise for Gina Bell?

Please add information as you have it.

[andrea_r]

Cost: $69 for the first 1,000 registrations (after which, cost increases)

What: Live participation in and archive access to Webinars (for first 1,000 registrations, after which archive-only access)

Okay, let me get this straight:

- the first 1,000 people pay once price and after that, not only do you get just archived access, but you pay more?

Am I reading that right? Cuz that ain't right.

[Cais]

Interesting, although not likely too relevant, she registered virtualwordcamp in Apr 2009 and GinaBellInc the following month.

I'm sure the idea is good, but it really reminds me of one of those "I'll show you how to make lots of money, just pay me ... (first, then you to do the same thing to someone else)"

No product (tangible or otherwise), just hype ... I hope I'm wrong although I would not likely pay that price if its real.

[chipbennett]

Okay, let me get this straight:

- the first 1,000 people pay once price and after that, not only do you get just archived access, but you pay more?

Am I reading that right? Cuz that ain't right.

Oh, you're reading it right. Here it is, straight from the source [emphasis in original]:

Hurry and claim your seat today…

The first 1000 people to register will have access to BOTH live and recorded presentations. The biggest benefit to having the option of attending the LIVE sessions is the chance to ask the experts your specific questions. Once these combo (live + replay) passes are sold out, passes will become “recordings only” AND … the price will go up!


$69.95 is a bargain considering you get the recordings too!

[conorp]

According to twitter Kathy Perkins is involved:

@WordPressWizard Welcome to the #VWC09 team Cathy! http://www.virtualwordcamp.com site is officially LIVE!

[itsananderson]

OT, but the OMG Award still cracks me up. I'm still not sure whether its really a scam or just an overly enthused WordCamp newbie, but either way it's probably not going to be worth $70.

[GBell]

Hey everyone,

Gina Bell here ... co-Founder of Virtual WordCamp 09.

Just wanted to pop in to say hello and to address some misconceptions.

I am definitely NOT a WordPress expert but I do use WordPress for my companies and I think (no, I know) WP totally rocks!!

The expertise I bring to the VWC09 team is hosting virtual events, like telesummits and teleseries. i.e. For the past three years I’ve co-hosted The Networking Masters Telesummit.

My partner Yamisi is the Wordpress expert on our team.

We both love Wordpress.

VWC09 is devoted to those who love WordPress too, those who really want to learn more about WP from the experts who really love to teach.

If you want to know more about me, there’s so much more to know than my newest site GinaBellinc.com. I am a proud multi-passionate entrepreneur for sure...

I am the co-Founder of Networking Masters International, co-Founder of INFWA, International Non-Fiction Writers Association and Authors Unscripted Talk Show, creator of the JV Mavens Partner and Prosper Network, contributing author to several books including the Association of Web Entrepreneurs 2009 Emerging Trends Guide and the Power of Mentorship for the Home Based Business, etc...

I live in Regina, Saskatchewan Canada with my husband Steve, daughter Cara, dog Zander and two cats Mister Kitty and Slick. My husband and I also own and operate the BNI franchise for the province of Saskatchewan.

I love being a woman in business online, the world of opportunities it presents for me and the motivated entrepreneurs I coach and … I love WordPress.

A great place to get a feel for who I am and the values I hold is on Twitter. You can find me there at http://twitter.com/ginabell

Stay tuned as we add more details to the site and revised pricing - yes, we heard you ;)

Feel free to send your specific questions and feedback to us at team@virtualwordcamp.com


My best,


Gina

[conorp]

Stay tuned as we add more details to the site and revised pricing - yes, we heard you ;)

That needs to be quite significant, or you still wont get anyone signing up

[JohnM]

Still smells fishy Gina.

The Criminal Code makes basic fraud (dishonest deprivation) an offence: s.380(1) includes cases where either "...the public or any person" is defrauded, which allows for charges based on single transactions or a single "defrauding the public" charge where large numbers of victims are targeted. The offence is punishable by up to 10 years if the value exceeds C$5,000.

[andrea_r]

Gina, you have to realize that the people here in this forum are hardcore WP users *and* developers. Most official WordCamps cost around $30 for people to attend in person. Many of these wind up online, and in fact it is encouraged. The cost? Free.

you're dealing with open-source people - a setup like this sounds alarms any way you want to spin it. Unless you line up some big name WP people, there's no way you'll get the interest of the well-know users of the community.

Then again, we are probably not your target audience.