I was a little dubious when I first heard of the Elite Retreat but as I’ve been pondering it for the last 24 hours I’m convinced it is a good idea.
What is it? Well in short – it’s an opportunity to spend a couple of days with a group of experienced web masters. Only 30 people are going to be there so it’s a small group environment (with a 1:6 ratio of leaders to attendees).
The people involved will be familiar to most ProBlogger readers – Dave Taylor (from numerous blogs), Jeremy Schoemaker (from Shoemoney), Aaron Wall (from SEO book) and Lee Dodd (from earners forum). Each are experienced webmasters making a good living online from a variety of web mediums.
The cost of the Elite Retreat ($4850) will exclude most people (intentionally) and even if you can afford it you are not guaranteed a spot and need to apply. The cost includes the two days, one on one coaching afterwards, an iPod Nano with all the content on it etc.
I can just hear the critiques of Elite Retreat already. Price, name, exclusivity etc… but there’s something about the idea of spending such an intense one on one time with experienced webmasters that makes sense and I’m quite jealous of all who will be there.
As I said to Lee this morning when we chatted about it via IM – while I wasn’t thinking of something quite this expensive – I have been toying with the idea of a similar concept for 2007 with a few key bloggers. Funnily enough – some of those involved were on my target list.
I don’t expect the majority of ProBlogger readers to run off to sign up for this one – but I thought it was worth including as I know it will interest a few of you both as something to consider attending and because it is an example of bloggers leveraging their expertise and profile to indirectly make money from their blogging.
