Workshops 101

Welcome Richard (alright, you could teach this yourself, I know you could!)

Sandra and Denice, Welcome! I look forward to meeting you both.

Kate

Welcome Leanne! Sounds like we could get a wedding workshop going between you and Sandra.... Kate

Welcome Mike, Brian Kimberly and Howard! Ooh, this is going to be fun!

Howard, I tried to avoid conflicting with you, but I finally concluded that was impossible, between my limited availability and your many events! So I'm glad to have you if yours does not take off, though I wish you the best! (PS - I had a paid Biznik event I cancelled do to no registrations. I have some thoughts I will share.)

HI Debra, good to see you. I do plan on offering this again, the current group will just be my "guinea pigs!"

Kate

Thanks Kurt. I'll do another at a different day or time.

Thanks Marlene, I will offer this another time and I'll schedule it a little further out.

Kate

Welcome Dacia! I look forward to meeting you.

Welcome Krystal and Lori! I look forward to meeting you. We're gonna have fun!

Kate

Welcome Kimberly (the new one!) Is there a quota on Kimberly's? Nah, the more the better, don't you think?

Kate

Thanks Howard and Richard!

Elizabeth, there will be another, different but similar... (this was my guinea pig class!)

Mike, Yes, you are right about the libraries, I had mentioned that the "no promotion" policy created a big problem in my mind, though I don't know that passing your business cards would get you kicked out (but maybe it would!)

What I did NOT mention was that the downtown library is a different story, you can rent rooms and put on paid events (like Liam did.)

As a presenter, you would always simply want to put your name, company, and website (or whatever contact information you deemed necessary) on the HAND-OUTS. A simple thing that so many forget to do! No words or actions needed, they've got the contact information in their hands. (This is true no matter what the venue is.)

I also wanted to clarify I was not slamming our award-winning downtown Library. I was simply saying that for a workshop venue, it had some downsides and did not create (for me) an optimal workshop experience. (And remember, it's all about the experience!)

Oh man, we barely even touched on the topic of venues! I'll send that out also in notes. There is actually not that much to discuss. Every option has upsides and downsides, it seems. You just have to weigh them out and find the best fit. And perhaps some others in the group will have some great suggestions and feedback about venues. I also urge all of you to explore working with the Zenai Center. I believe they can work with flat fees, percentages, and other structures depending on your needs and their availability. Their ability to cater gives them an added benefit, too. I have been to gourmet dinners and also very simple (yet lovely) business breakfasts there.

Mike, as far as the free-to-fee structure, this is definitely something I would like to cover in MUCH greater depth in a longer future class. I can give examples of business models in which this has worked and have some experience with it as both client and presenter with a few different companies. There are huge upsides, also large caveats and pitfalls!

But I will offer few brief thoughts on the topic: If free speeches/seminars/workshops are a way to attract clients, they become no different than another marketing tool, and must be though of as such. Marketing doesn't come for free (generally) and you can't ask for "guarantees" on your marketing. You have to throw it out there (hopefully well-thought out in advance), test it, and "correct and continue." The burden of whether people continue further down the road with you is yours, not theirs.

The whole point of teasers, introductions and samples is just that - the customer gets to try BEFORE they buy. Throwing in something free (like a short workshop) as a "bonus" for buying is also valid, but it's a separate strategy, and you've got to be clear about what it is and isn't. Putting potential clients under pressure or obligation, however, is likely to backfire.

And Mike, I might word the benefit of "and also show you why outside help can provide even greater value" as "How to know when you need an expert" or "How to maximize the return on your efforts."

The "Fee vs Free" issue also ties in with the venues... if you are putting on a free "teaser" workshop, spending money on a venue is less appealing! (But then again, do you want your sample seminar in a ratty venue!?) I would personally test small, just like taking small ads before larger ones.

Then it's a WHOLE nuther topic as to how Bizniks react to fee vs free, which may not be "typical" because, as I mentioned, we are spoiled! The upside is, we can be like a giant mastermind group for each other. The downside is, those with significant expertise who could be (and are) charging for their time are forced to compete with many "freebie" workshops in the Biznik market. (Like the one I just offered!) But as Biznik continues to grow at lightning speed, I think that might become less of an issue. I believe we'll start to see delineation between short, free educational events, networking events, and professional seminars. As grow, there will be more people capable of putting on professional events, and more people desiring that expertise and willing to pay for it. The demographics and population of Biznik are both undergoing tremendous growth.

Oh yes, there's MORE notes coming that I'll send y'all, (A couple things promised today but not gotten to.) I need to flesh the notes out a bit more so they'll be readable and will have them out to you by tomorrow.

You lucky Guinea Pigs, the next piglets will not get a 3+ hour workshop's worth of info for free! (But I needed the first Guinea Pigs to beta test this thing... thanks again!!!)