I just got back from New Media Expo in Las Vegas, NV last week and it was the most exciting 3 days in my entrepreneurial history!  It was the first live event I traveled to alone (at my last event, I went with my dad/business coach) so needless to say I was a bit nervous, but if I can knock on doors for 6 years fundraising (yes that was my last job) I could go to a live event and talk to people about podcasting!

Upon returning, I’ve had a lot of chats with other entrepreneur friends about live events and what I’m hearing is “Oh I know I should go but money is tight” or “Sounds amazing! That’s definitely one of my goals for 2014, but not sure which events I’m going to go to.” To be completely honest, you know what I’m actually hearing? “I know I need to go, but I’m just a little too nervous to take the ‘risk’ and invest in myself.”

I say invest because live events cost a ton of money!  Between the ticket, airfare, hotel, and food on the road you better be ready to spend anywhere from $500 to over $1000, depending on the event and location.  But remember, it’s only an EXPENSE if you don’t get a return on your investment.  And you know what? The business I drummed up by going to New Media Expo is going to give me a return on my investment in about 3 months.  Well worth it.

Here are a couple reasons you need to go to live events:

1) It gets you out of your comfort zone and forces you to grow as a person and as an entrepreneur

2) You meet new clients and business partners

3) You realize people are more than their tweets and Facebook statuses

4) You face your fears.