There are many benefits to running workshops, seminars and speaking engagements for you and your business. While the benefits outweigh the cost, it is just as important to understand the challenges (or opportunities as we like to call them).
So, why workshops?
Benefits to Running Workshops
1. Get your message out into the world
What gifts, knowledge and experience do you have to share? What does the world need to know? Workshops, seminars and speaking gigs are super effective ways to get your message out into the world.
2. Impact more people at once
Do you work 1-on-1 with individuals and enjoy what you do, but want to impact more people at once? Workshops and seminars are a great way to leverage your skills and talents to reach a larger audience.
3. Revenue generator
Depending on the nature and format of your workshop, you can generate more revenue in one workshop than you could working 1-on-1 with each individual. Each time you deliver it, you decrease your ramp-up time and increase your margins.
4. Become known as an expert in your field
There is something that shifts when you are in the public’s eye. You are suddenly known as an expert. Workshops and seminars are a great way to increase your exposure and become known as an expert in your respective field.
5. Expand your network
You have a list. And, if you don’t, start creating one now so you can provide value to your network, even if it’s just a “tip of the month”. While your network may refer others to your site and your search engine optimization may be working for you, workshops and seminars are a great way to quickly increase your subscriber list.
6. Increase follow-on business and referrals
When people attend your workshops, seminars or presentations, they see you in action. When they see what they like, they purchase, they come back for more and they refer you to others. Workshops and seminars are a great way to increase your business and your referrals.
7. It can be extremely fun!
If you enjoy connecting with people and are passionate about your topic, you will have a blast! And, it can be quite addictive…..but it’s a good addiction!
Until next time, go share your message with the world!
Challenges/Opportunities to Running Workshops
1. Differentiating your workshop
Like any service you are looking to offer, identify what truly differentiates your workshop from the next one. What about you and your style, expertise or delivery makes it different? See more info under the Market & Price Workshop Stage.
2. Designing/developing content and keeping it interactive
The Design and Develop stages are the most time consuming. These stages encompass the time you take to create your road map and develop your content and delivery mechanisms. Understanding how adults learn is critical and keeping your workshops highly interactive is imperative if you want to maintain your participant’s attention. See more info under the Design & Develop Workshop Stage.
3. Facilitating and managing groups
Workshop facilitation is both an art & science. It is the “art” of facilitation that distinguishes a good facilitator from a GREAT facilitator, and the more experience you get, the better you get. Learn and practice the skills, as they are critical! See more info under the Deliver Workshop Stage.
4. Securing space
When you are running public workshops and seminars, finding and securing space can be time consuming and often frustrating as each type of venue is different and may not always suit your specific needs. See more info under Workshop Venues or under the Market & Price Workshop Stage.
5. Attracting attendees
How do you get people to show up? For many, this is one of the most stressful and challenging parts of running workshops and seminars. It starts with a clear intention, then a strong marketing strategy and for some, lots of networking. See more info under the Market & Price Workshop Stage.
6. Marketing
For many of us, marketing your workshops and seminars is not always the most enjoyable task. But, it is critical just the same. You need to ensure you market early and often and have a clear marketing strategy to start. See more info under the Market & Price Workshop Stage.
7. Leveraging benefits to attract follow-on work
There are many ways you can attract follow-on business from your attendees. If they have received value out of participating in your workshop, you will have their ongoing attention. Like the power of the web, you have an opportunity to not only attract more business from them, but then, you can also help them share the value with their respective networks. The opportunities are endless!
