More Great Ways to Attract People to Your Seminars
What else could you offer during the event that would allow you to charge more? Front row seating, a pre- or post-seminar 1 to 1 with you, lunch included, a signed book, a hot seat challenge (where they get to have their situation used by you as a case study), merchandise tables... the possibilities are legion if you just think creatively.
2. Market 'way early'.
Time is premium and you must get on people’s radars early and often. Let them put it in their diaries and work the rest of their schedule around it. Otherwise they’ll be too busy! Three months is a good lead time.
3. Get a sponsor.
Are there companies, associations, individuals or causes that would pay a few hundred big ones to splatter their merchandise on chairs, at tables, on banners and slides? Could you secure multiple non-competing sponsors who would love to have a presence in front of your target audience?
4. Seek strong alliances.
Who do you know who knows people who would benefit from being in your audience? Who has lists, databases, contacts and connections that could market the seminar for you in return for free tickets, sponsorships or a chance to pitch?
5. Offer some security.
Money back guarantees are tough to swallow, yet are rarely needed and much appreciated by your potential audience! You would also want to put people’s minds at rest as to your authenticity and expertise by including testimonials in your marketing. This reverses the risk and incentivises people to pay up and show up.
6.Carefully calculate costs.
You can easily lose out on seminars, which is fine if you can make up costs with ongoing fee-paying work. But a modicum of diligence in your figures can ensure you at least break even, and if you hit the mark, create another income stream for yourself and your company.
7. Use contra deals.
Could you use the help of photographers, video experts, designers, copywriters, marketers, consultants, experts and list-owners in return for a place on the top table with a guest of their choice?
Rob's Quick Tips
Planning seminars takes a lot of doing. But a heads up on the key strategies for making your time count and generating good crowds of warm, qualified leads and contacts is much easier if you follow these key marketing steps.
© Rob Brown 2009. All Rights Reserved. To publish or reprint any Rob Brown article, the following must be included:
Rob Brown is one of the UK's leading authorities on business networking and referrals. He is an inspirational conference speaker and author of over 40 publications, including Amazon best-seller How To Build Your Reputation. Go to www.rob-brown.com for your free 60 page copy of ‘The 13 Commandments of Turning Relationships Into Profits', or get in touch on (44) 115 846 21227 or rob@rob-brown.com for details of his motivational presentations, business winning programmes and relationship-building resources.