<p>I have been a part of the Biznik Network for a couple of months and almost immediately after joining the network I looked to Post a Seminar on one of my most popular seminar topics: <strong>"Using Seminars To Build Your Business."</strong> Honestly, the thought never occurred to hold the session for free and so this article is two-fold...</p>
<p><strong>1) It talks about my reasons why I always charge for a seminar or workshop that I hold</strong> and</p>
<p><strong>2) I want it to be the start of what I think is a long overdue conversation with the Biznik community on why so many of you are putting seminars/workshops out for Free.</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Here are some of the main reasons why I charge for my seminars/workshops:</p>
<ol>
<li>It is not my Primary source of Revenue it's a secondary stream for my business.</li>
<li>It 'qualifies' potential customers.</li>
<li>I'm telling my markets I value my knowledge and information, if I give it for free I acknowledge that I don't see enough value. <strong>Many of you are going to disagree with this point. This is the start of the conversation.</strong></li>
<li>I put out topics to multiple markets (3 niches), I don't just put out 1 seminar a month to the same group.</li>
</ol>
<p>Let's break down each of the above points.</p>
<p><strong>It is not my primary source of Revenue.</strong> Seminars are a great way for you to build visibility in your markets, but they should be one of many business development tools in your arsenal. When I first started out as a speaker I wanted to build visibility with potential clients but also wanted another stream of revenue. People who hold seminars for free need to look at other ways that you build business, you have potential to make money with your seminars, don't waste that opportunity by giving it for free.</p>
<p><strong>It qualifies potential customers.</strong> People who attend your free session are potential customers but are not qualified customers. Alot are going to be tire kickers (people who want to get some new information but who would never intend to work with you or use your services). If someone is willing to pay (even a small amount) you know that they see value in what you offer and you have a more qualified opportunity.</p>
<p><strong>I'm telling my markets that I value my knowledge.</strong> "Free" says "I undervalue what I offer to the market. It also says "The Information I am giving you is not worth much because I have to give a portion away". </p>
<p><strong>I put out topics to multiple markets.</strong> Don't just look to put your seminar out 1 time to one group. Look at your niche markets and how they could use and benefit from your knowledge and information. Not all seminars are going to be a go-ahead (case in point I was supposed to be running a seminar on recession proofing your business today. Did anyone signup? Nope. But I put that seminar out to 4 other markets/groups and 3 sold out). There are many factors that go into filling seminars: Marketing, Timing, Price Point, etc. If one seminar doesn't go, postpone or cancel it, learn from it, move on, and put it out again for a future date.</p>
<p>Right now I have had 30 people from the BizNik community attending my sessions, although I've never posed this question during one of my sessions over the years these are the most common reasons why people have said they provide sessions for free:</p>
<ul>
<li>I don't have enough experience as a speaker so I don't feel as though it would be right for me to charge</li>
<li>I am trying to gain visibility in my markets first, once people know what I do then I can charge a fee</li>
<li>People already know most of this information, I am just putting my spin on it so I don't think people would pay</li>
</ul>
<p>This is the start of the conversation. I know some people are going to disagree, and this article is even going to make people mad. I make no apologizes. But let's start the conversation: So here are my questions/challenges to all the BizNiks who hold events:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Have you ever held a seminar for a fee?</strong></li>
<li><strong>Why don't you charge for your seminars/workshops?</strong></li>
<li><strong>Have you held a mix of free and fee based seminars? </strong></li>
<li><strong>If you are holding free seminars, is it working for you? Have you converted any of your attendees into paying clients?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p><span>Cheers,</span></p>
<p><span>Liam</span></p>
<p> </p>
2008-11-14T18:48:25Z
2008-11-18T06:24:06Z
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2008-11-18T06:24:02Z
2008-11-18T06:24:02Z
I want to start a conversation with the BizNik Community. Do you hold free seminars/workshops? If you do, I'm going to give you some reasons why you shouldn't.
On a Mission To Charge!
0
2009-02-24T09:47:10Z