Utilizing Seminars to Market your business
Make yourself heard
In the last couple of years, I’ve been to and given talks at numerous conferences and events. I have always been amazed by the way that my speaking skills positioned me as an expert in my field. I also noticed that people would often inquire about my expertise afterward.
While listening to the other speakers on every occasion, I was able to connect with other people over a sandwich or coffee. Sometimes, I was interested enough to contact speakers and purchase products from them. They may have also purchased products from me. In a sense, I’m proof that the method I’m about to explain to you actually works. But, in order to do this efficiently, you must have a strategy. Most individuals network; however, they do not have any plan or even goals. They simply “wing it”!
Who is able to benefit from seminars?
Seminars on promotion are used by a wide range of businesses, such as accounting firms, marketing companies, IT firms, HR specialists, and many more. The majority of business professionals who show on stage to address seminars for promotion make the mistake of trying to market their own business when what they should really be working on is assisting the attendees.
The secret to success is to present excellent, or even exceptional performance (by the way, if you require assistance in this regard, Steve Mills Marketing’s Jim Ewan is the former president of the Professional Speakers Association, and he is willing to discuss how to present) You must make sure that your presentation is focused toward helping others, not just praising how great you are. It is essential to offer the audience something that is free. After that, you must encourage the people to take action and motivate them to take action as a result of your speech.
Approach an organization
Before you begin organizing and marketing your own seminars, try to find someone else to host the event for you. It is possible to arrange a workshop in conjunction with a different organization, such as an accountant, bank or industry body, or solicitor. The best method is to be a speaker at another organizations’ seminars. Therefore, you should contact Chambers of Commerce, IoD, FBS, your own local business clubs, Breakfast networking groups, Women’s Institutes, conference organizers, and specific conferences for your industry or even seminars.
What do I have to say?
One of the critical factors is to draw a sufficient number of the correct sort of audience to the conference so that the topic of your presentation is crucial for the successful running of the event. Your goal is to engage the audience with valuable advice or details and ultimately win some clients by talking.
The venue
The seminar should be held in an attractive location is vital. You might be surprised. However, not everyone is there to hear you talk! I ran one of my Marketing seminars at Gleneagles in the past, and I discovered the fact that 75% of participants in this lunchtime session either played Golf during the day or had done so following my presentation. I also conducted one in the Manchester United FC ground ‘Old Trafford’. You’ll be shocked to discover that every person in the seminar was a MUFC fan. The idea is that the location could be a draw for my meeting, and that’s what you’re looking for”bums on seats”.
Timing
What time should you host your event? The main thing to remember is that it doesn’t matter if it’s breakfast, dinner, or evening. The seminar will always be those who are unable to attend the event you have planned for various reasons. Affording to avoid Mondays is always an ideal choice.
Charging
Do you need to charge for your discussion? There are four main reasons you should be charging. First of all, anything which is free isn’t always valued. Furthermore, you’re an expert, and you are worth it. The third reason is that the company that you’re speaking to usually charges guests. Fourthly if you ask anyone, even a tiny amount, the more likely it is that they’ll show up.
How will it take?
The speech at a promotion event should not last more than 30 or 45 minutes. The goal is to generate excitement by offering some advice and not giving away all of your knowledge.
Make sure you are in the correct position.
The organizer or chairman must present you in the best way feasible. Therefore you should be prepared with a concise introduction that they can follow. If you don’t, then they’ll simply “wing” your introduction, and you might not be positioned appropriately.
Conversion rates
The most successful business ventures are often the result of the seminars I give. Why? Because “people buy from other people’, and they also purchase from those they trust, like, and have confidence in. In just 45 minutes, your goal is to make them feel like they are familiar with, trust and are confident in you or, at the very least, have started to do so in a way that they would be enticed to visit you in the future.
Follow up
Make sure to mingle with your guests, particularly afterward. I recently gave a presentation to the Association of Accounting Technicians. The presentation ran at 7.00pm until 7.45pm. I left the venue at 10.35 pm. Why? Because people were eager to talk to me! Then I received an inquiry which has resulted in sales of more than PS36,000. This is I’m not trying to wow you, however, but to convince the public that promotional seminars are effective.
Make a list of people who attended. You could also conduct a prize draw for something and ask everyone to put their business cards in a hat so that you can reach them afterward.
Seminars can be found in a variety of organizations.
The question is: do they do the work for you? If not, our team can help. If you need assistance in promoting your event or management or require some instruction in public speaking, we’re here to help.
