Hosting a free or paid seminar is a fantastic way to build your brand, reputation and experience. Once you become known as the expert in your field through your seminars, you will be better able to build your customer base and referrals. You will also be able to capture new subscribers for your newsletter and get testimonials that you can post on your website as well as in your marketing materials. And if you have books to sell that align with the theme of your seminar, seminars are the perfect way to have “behind the room” sales so that attendees can buy your book. Then let’s get started!
come up with a good topic
All great seminars begin with a topic. How can you help people? How can you solve a problem? What in your industry causes confusion for customers? Your seminar topic title should also be specific and compelling. For example, “All about today’s real estate market” is too broad. Instead, he should title his seminar, “The Ins and Outs of Green Home Sales for Today’s Savvy Homebuyer.” Proposing a topic requires you to listen, take notes when someone mentions a problem they are having, and research blogs and articles in your field.
planning and more
Or where
First, you need to find out where you will have your workshop. When you’re starting out, try to find free places like your local library, community centers, or friends’ businesses that have plenty of office space. Once you’re more established, negotiate with agencies and business owners who will take a portion of your participation fees.
You will need to consider having enough tables and chairs. Also consider whether your chosen location has parking available and is handicap accessible.
rates
Will your workshop be paid or free? If it is fee based, does the agency hosting you take a certain percentage of your fees or is it a flat fee? How many participants do you need to cover the fee? You also need to know what your minimum number of participants is to make it worth your while.
or Advertising, Marketing
How will you publicize your event? Will you use flyers in key placements that would appeal to your ideal customer, social media, traditional print advertising, community bulletin boards, press releases, or email marketing? Also remember to use the signature block of your email to publicize your event. If you’ve partnered with an agency like a community college, continuing education program, or store, they’ll help you (as you’ll help them) through their brochure, website, email blast, and newsletter. .
It’s the day of your seminar!
Before the day of your seminar, you’ve made enough copies of your handouts, prepared your PowerPoint presentation if you have one, and made sure your laptop and projector are compatible. He has also made sure he has plenty of business cards, brochures, books to sell, and has created a sign-up list to capture email addresses for his future mailings.
Purchase name tags for your participants along with a marker. Arrive at your seminar an hour early if you have computer equipment and a half hour early if you only have handouts. Adjust chairs, tables, and room temperature. Set up a separate table for your marketing materials and participant name tags. It’s also a good idea to place the participants’ handouts on their chairs or at their place at the table so they have everything they need. Along with the seminar handout, you should also prepare a video screening and pitch if you are filming the seminar or want to capture video testimonials from your participants.
And remember
o Delegate someone to handle registrations, payments or to remove participants from the prepaid list. This person should not be you, as you should greet everyone by shaking hands and welcoming them to your seminar.
o Start on time, even if you know people are late, don’t penalize people who were on time!
o Who will do your presentation? Do you introduce yourself or introduce yourself? If it’s the latter, give that person your bio sheet in advance.
Once the workshop has started
o Use voice modulation; don’t look at your PowerPoint slides. Remember to speak slowly and clearly.
o Don’t rush your points, keep eye contact, SMILE and relax!
o Don’t overload your audience with information; make your material fit the time frame.
after the workshop
o Read all the reviews (even if you’re scared, it won’t be that bad, I promise)
o Follow up with participants by email or postal mail and welcome them to your email newsletter or email subscription list.
When you’ve organized your materials, find out what worked and what didn’t so you can start planning your next successful seminar.
