OFFER A SEMINAR

Speaking to a group of prospects is a great marketing tool. There are several concerns that small business owners have with regards to this marketing tool:

Where to hold the presentation?

This afternoon I went to a local shopping mall. One of the stores caught my attention. It was a mortgage lender who had enough space to seat well over 50 people. Unfortunately there were no customers in the store. I am sure that the lender would welcome a seminar for a group who may be future prospects. (I will go back tomorrow and offer to do a joint promotion to help him grow his business by putting on a seminar.)

I am always looking for places to hold meetings and educational sessions, and this could be a win-win for both of us.

There are many business locations such as the one I mentioned that have the space to hold a meeting and would welcome more traffic to their establishment. It could be an evening session at an art gallery or a museum or a professional office. Be creative and look for locations; the more interesting the location the easier it will be to attract an audience.

How to get attendance?

• Making sure that there is an audience to listen to the presentation is critical to this type of marketing. First, work with your host and have them invite some of their clients who make up your target market.
• In libraries and store fronts a large, professionally poster announcing the event will attract may attract people walking by, and yes, they have to come in and register.
• Your own prospect list is also a source of attendees.
• Take advantage of groups such as “meetup” and “alignable” to help generate attendance.
• Your blog, newsletter and social media outlets will also help create an audience.
• The subject of the presentation has to be intriguing and well presented.

When doing joint promotions, I try to hold my sessions first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon. I ask my hosts to split the cost of coffee and bagels in the morning or cookies and soft drinks in the afternoon.

This is one of the most effective and economical ways of getting known in your community. Your presentation has to have value without a “hard sell”. Have a hand out with your information and visit with your audience before and after the presentation. My goal at a seminar is to get as many private appointments as possible.
Call me with questions.

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Tips & Advice by Nick Petra – CFP, Mentor, and Founder of StrategicDuck and BizQuack