More on Selling Seminar Seats

One of the perennial questions people ask when they're thinking of putting on seminar or workshop events is, 'How can I get people to attend my event?' How, in other words, do you sell seats?

Look at that question another way and some answers might become clear.

Try to remember all the events you've been to, especially any in the same niche (or similar) and ask yourself how you came to hear about them. Think about events you would have liked to attend as well, and ask yourself the same question.

The events you went to were promoted better than those you thought about but resisted, all other things being equal, but they should all give you ideas.

Was it direct mail that persuaded you, or word of mouth, or an email newsletter, or a 'tell a friend' email? Was it a speaker at a previous event, perhaps? Did you spot a small ad and go to a website? Did someone phone you about it?

Whatever method the promoters of those events used clearly worked on you. If the events were a success, those methods must have worked on other people, too.

Apart from direct mail, you need very little cash investment to use some or all of those methods. You can probably think of a few others, too. How about doing an 'ad swap' with someone in the right niche (you promote their product and they promote your event)? Can you ask your local Chamber of Commerce to email their database? You can if you're a member.

Use all your online networking contacts to spread the word, including Ecademy, Facebook, etc, forums and blogs. Be careful to present the most professional image you can whenever you talk or write about your upcoming event. Self-deprecating remarks can undo a lot of self-promotion; no one has to know you're nervous.

Basically, whatever you've seen work for someone else, copy it. Don't be too proud to use something that seems a bit 'tacky' or obvious. Obvious usually works!

Remember, customers (especially seminar customers) are buying into you. When you're more enthusiastic about your company and its products, whatever they are, your customers will be, too.

Roy

PS. Remember the One Dollar Trial of Niche Seminar Secrets is still ON!

Another Question From The Seminar Secrets Survey

One of my members asks, 'How can I sell more effectively from the back of the room?'

Firstly, in case you don't know what we mean by 'back of the room' sales, we're talking about the products on sale at a seminar event, usually at a special 'today only' price. They're almost always literally at the back of the room.

Healthy sales depend on a few factors, among which are:

1. The speakers having a suitable product to promote on the day that's relevant to the audience (or the audience being sufficiently targeted to be likely to want that product) .

2. The ability of the speakers to offer an excellent 'today only' deal.

3. How convincing the speakers are, both in the information they give and their ability to sell.

4. The audience being in a positive, upbeat mood generally.

5. The audience members trusting you and your payment process.

6. Enough of the audience having the money to spend or being offered terms they can afford.

7. Having a convenient and well-organised buying process, so everyone who wants to buy can do so quickly.

8. Offering brilliant, no quibble guarantees.

9. The speakers being available to talk with undecided buyers and explain their offer, maybe offer special terms, etc.

10. Offering good value in the presentations, suggesting (rightly) that there's a lot more to tell, if only we had the time, and offering the products (information products, courses, coaching, etc) as a solution to getting that information, help, encouragement, etc, across.

Briefly, get the best speakers you can (or do the best presentation you can), with the best and most relevant products. Give your delegates a great event by entertaining, educating and encouraging them to take action - starting with this investment in themselves.

You'll notice, especially when you've been to a few events yourself, how often the speakers will congratulate you on taking action (by being there), choosing to be among the four or five percent who've opted to succeed, and so on. The implication is that to stay among those top few percent you need to keep taking action by investing in your education, by equiping yourself and your business for the future and by 'teaming up' with them and their evident success.

And all that needs to be true. Then you can have what Niche Seminar Secrets promises you: real wealth with a totally clear conscience.

Roy

PS. You can still take the one-dollar trial of Niche Seminar Secrets, when you click here.

Niche Seminar Secrets Survey Answers

The first survey results are starting to come through now from Niche Seminar Secrets members and I have to say they are quite revealing...

Over 85% of those who have responded so far have already spoken at or organised an event, while 71% are planning to either speak at or run an event in the next 6-12 months.

So we already have an amazing information resource right there, among NSS readers. Which sets me thinking...

Meanwhile, other seminar secrets members have asked some interesting questions, such as 'How do I promote a seminar event in a new country where I have few contacts?' From the same enquirer (I assume) is the question of how to promote an English speaking event in a non-English speaking territory.

Most of the questions you've asked are answered in full in Niche Seminar Secrets, but not those two...

And it's an interesting problem, I must admit. My first instinct about promoting any event is to build a list first, if at all possible. In this case, a list specifically from that region. Otherwise, rent or JV a list from someone who is already operating in that area. Do you have access to English-speaking property dealers or service providers for that area, for example?

I think you must think of the English speaking community as a sub-niche within your niche, whatever your niche is. But I'd promote it only in English, for a start. Of course, it doesn't have to be just expats - many people are multi-lingual - but you must pre-qualify your audience so language is not a barrier on the day.

So your list will comprise fluent English speakers in the niche you operate in, able to reach the country where your event will be held. Remember, some people will travel a long way to get to a special event in a lovely setting... But be realistic about the true size of your target market and your chances of capturing enough of them. See how easy or difficult it is to build that list - that will give you a good clue.

I'd be intrigued to know the circumstances that brought up the question, though! If you'd like to tell us more, we can probably offer some more specific advice. Use the comment section at the end of this post.

I'll be responding to some more questions and survey responses in the coming days. Questions like 'How do I get started with little or no cash to invest?' and 'How do I overcome nerves?'

Meanwhile, please add your comments, experiences and ideas here for us all to share - especially if you're one of the 85% with experience already.

Here's to your Seminar Secrets success!

Roy

Results Just In...

No, not THAT result - that's old news...

I'm just getting the first results in from a survey I'm running at Niche Seminar Secrets about what people really want to know about planning and running seminars for profit.

It seems that, for people who've been there and done it, the speaking part isn't usually a problem. I suppose that's not surprising, since if you're uncomfortable speaking, you might not think seminars are 'your thing' anyway.

Of course, you can get coaching in public speaking, or you can learn from a master like Dale Carnegie.

But the two main issues that seem to crop up are choosing a subject or niche, and the management of the event once it's underway. Things that can go wrong apparently will go wrong.

I'll talk a little more about finding a niche soon. Meanwhile, those problems on the day come down to trying to plan for all eventualities and thinking on your feet, but we'd hope that nothing insumountable will crop up when you follow the Niche Seminar Secrets system.

Anyway, ours is a simple survey that you're welcome to take part in too.

But why not join us at Niche Seminar Secrets and add to our well of wisdom? I'll even throw in a free Dale Carnegie book (and a couple of our ebooks) when you do.

Roy

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