<p>Most small business owners realize that presenting seminars can <em>wildly </em>enhance their visibility and reputations. Yet how many can say honestly that they know how to design seminars effectively? Don't most of us prefer to focus on our products and services, hoping to fly by the seat of our pants when we give a seminar?<br /><br />Follow these “Seminar Laws” in exactly the order below, and your next workshop or seminar will be much more professional. As a result, your confidence will increase exponentially.</p>
<p><strong>The Four Laws of Seminars<br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>1. Know your participants. (“Who”)</strong><br />Who is the audience? What are the characteristics of this group? What are their ages, sexes, ethnicities, backgrounds? What pre-requisites do they need? Importatnly, what are their anxieties and concerns?<br /><br />You can gather much of this information by talking to those who host you or help to organize the event. You must be able to name and describe the audience to ensure you design and deliver the <em>right </em>seminar for the <em>right</em> participants.<br /><br /><strong>2. Only then-determine content. (“What”)</strong><br />Do NOT depend solely on your own knowledge of the subject. Pick the brains of:<br />• Other subject matter experts<br />• Members of the target audience<br />• Existing research in the field<br />to garner the widest, most robust view of the topic. Remember, it’s not all about selling—your goal is to be seen as a valuable resource.<br /><br /><strong>3. Develop and state a clear purpose statement for your seminar.</strong><br />The purpose statement guides the entire session. It helps keep the design on track. Include the purpose statement in all seminar descriptions and learning materials. Also state it at the beginning of your presentation. It functions as a strong psychological tool on your audience members.</p>
<p>Use this formula to develop your seminar purpose statement: <em>“The purpose of this seminar is to (VERB) (WHAT) to (WHOM).”</em></p>
<p>An example: <em>“The purpose of this seminar is to introduce managers to the wonders of social networking.”</em></p>
<p>Try to work a little <em>"What's in it for THEM" </em>into your purpose statement.<em><br /></em></p>
<p>Simple as purpose statements seem, you’ll be surprised at how challenging they can be to develop and how powerfully they focus your audience's attention. Discipline yourself to develop one for each new seminar, and practice saying it (with feeling!) often. The statement works as part of your overall marketing package.<br /><br /><strong>4. Develop demonstrable learning outcomes (objectives).</strong><br />Consider each learning outcome as an empty “bucket” for content. Organize your content by placing it in the right buckets. ONLY add content that helps to achieve each outcome.<br /><br />Start each outcome with the words: <em>"As a result of this seminar participants will be able to…"</em><br /><br />Determine which PowerPoint slides, worksheets, and activities will fit into each bucket. LEAVE OUT any content that doesn’t fit into a bucket. Importantly, don't try to have too many "buckets" in one seminar. Two or three are plenty for an hour's presentation.<br /><br />Small business owners--you’ve just gotten a whole semester’s worth of design guidance here. Follow these laws, and your seminars will truly result in increased "expert status" and visibility.</p>
2009-07-07T22:48:29Z
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the-four-laws-of-seminars-what-entrepreneurs-must-know
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2009-07-10T14:46:28Z
2009-07-10T21:46:48Z
Seminars and workshops are only as powerful as their underlying design. (Sorry, PowerPoint buffs, you can't just depend on the slides!) These seminar design tips will turn you from a novice to a pro.
The Four Laws of Seminars: What Entrepreneurs Must Know
1
2009-07-10T21:46:48Z