Live Seminars -- What's Your Take?

[Cindi Dawson]

What do YOU think? ...

I'm planning to host a live seminar on an extremely targeted subject ... in fact, more like a 2 or 3-day workshop. But I want to make sure marketers will support it first. Yes, my list has said they want it. But will the economy prevent them from putting their money down to attend it?

So, my question to you is ... why would you attend a hands-on workshop now? What one benefit would cinch it for you in today's economy?

*C*

[carolwingert]

I like the hands-on workshops personally. But like you say, in today's economy you need something BIG to grab them.

Some may come if you include a two for one, or if you've had other classes, let your former attendees come at a reduced price, free if they bring someone at full price.

Send something out before hand that pertains to the class you are going to have, some sort of free bonus to get their "feet wet"

You may want to start with one full day, and an afternoon. Depends on what your followers are interested in.

Include evening "play" time, make your self available just so folks can get to know the fun part of you too!

[DavidPreston]

Hi Cindi,

You can also teach it as a free workshop and then
make all the $$$ on the backend.

Provide great content and they may want to hire you
OR network your services/products to their list or
clients.

That model works well if you structure it right ;-)

David

[Cindi Dawson]

Thank you Carol for your feedback.

I have the workshop planned and have no problem allowing play time or networking ops. In the words of an old That Girl episode, "I love to let people mingle with me."

Getting something out before the workshop is a great idea too.

*C*

[Cindi Dawson]

Hi, David.

We really should stay in better touch. LOL

Thanks for the great idea about making the workshop free. I actually hadn't considered it from that angle. But I will now.

*C*

[Mr.G]

Why do I want to spend $1500 for air hotel and meals when I can sit on my sofa and watch it on my bigscreen with a webstream webinar.... just a thought and idea

[Rhyno]

To learn how to put knowledge into how-to, working applications...

[Cindi Dawson]

Mr. G,

Thank you for your input. Including video is definitely an option, though if I was going to do video, I could also just create a video course.

Is learning something and doing it hands-on worth transporation expense, hotel expense, food expense, to be in a room with other people doing the same? Or would you trade the in-person experience for the knowledge and convenience of viewing it at home?

*C*

[Cindi Dawson]

Hi, Rhyno.

Thanks for your comment. I concur. I think you have stated the experience in a nutshell.

*C*

[MichaelHiles]

Originally Posted by MarshallHaas

Just attended Yanik Silver's Underground 5 3-day Seminar. If the content is good people will still pay good money. Business owners should not stop educating themselves in a down economy.

Agreed. In fact, I see it the reverse. Businesspeople should be stepping up their education in a down economy.

However, aside from the "getaway", I am not sure that an in-person, live seminar is relevant anymore. I just can't see the added expense of travel & lodging unless I am just trying to get a mini-vaca in with tax deduction status.

[JustaWizard]

Yes, Yes and YES. Live seminars are the way to go, but then that's my area of specialty.

Keep in mind you can test the idea out a bit more safely with a teleseminar and upsell to a "live" seminar as well (there are a number of ways to "skin that cat" <sorry> but the bottom line is to get all the skin off ;-)

Consider that your title and your ability to deliver a seminar that leads them to take the action you want them to take are some of the key issues here; too many people go out and do seminars and say "oh, seminars don't work" when it was THEM/their presentation that didn't work... it's like saying they tried to ride a bike and fell off, and that bikes don't work!

Anyway, if you do decide to do a "live" event, look around at the smaller "business" types hotels and you should be able to get a room for around $150 and that should be your largest investment unless you're going to do some form of paid marketing.

David is right about free seminars, but I've had a LOT of experience with paid and free seminars, charging SOMETHING even if minimal provides more serious people, less dropouts, better behaved people.

Best,
David Portney

[Cindi Dawson]

Thanks, guys. GREAT insights and advice.

Marshall, I totally concur with you about business owners not putting a grinding halt to their education just because of an economic downturn. I take advantage of the time and learn, learn, learn to maintain that competitive edge.

Michael, I couldn't have said it better.

I have to agree with you JustaWizard. Even a minimal financial investment will separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. I too have seen it with my own eyes and experienced it with my own discomfort. And to be honest, I would rather not present a live seminar with freebie seekers. Not only do they undervalue the content presented, their attention can be easily diverted.

Very interesting comments, all.

Let me add one more question to the mix and hope it doesn't muddy the water.

For you, is there a greater perceived value or a differently perceived value in a workshop versus a standard seminar? More value? Less value? Neither?

Thanks,
*C*