Do you serve food during a seminar? Giving your audience something to munch on is a good idea particularly if your seminar takes a while to complete. But how do you go about it and when should you offer a full luncheon? Here's a guide on the wining and dining aspect of conducting seminars.
Providing Food And Drinks
If your seminar is short, say 2 to 3 hours, it's a thoughtful gesture to provide something for your audience to drink like water, coffee, tea or fruit juice. Imagine if you were a seminar attendee yourself. Sitting there for a good 3 to 4 hours with your throat getting drier by the minute is not fun at all.
Generally, the shorter the seminar, the less likely you'll be expected to serve food. However, if it's a long one; say an event that will last for a full day, you better give something for your audience to eat and drink.
Now the next question is: what do you serve? Short seminars do fine with drinks (one serving or bottomless will depend on your budget) and something that's easy and convenient to eat like open faced sandwiches, cookies and small pastries. Nothing messy or difficult to eat as to distract your audience.
Serving A Luncheon Seminar
Before you decide to offer a luncheon seminar, find out whether it's advantageous to you. Most seminars you conduct, particularly when you're just starting out, don't really have to be served with a full lunch. A one-day seminar, for example, will do well with simple drinks and probably a sandwich at most.
However, for seminars that are considerably longer or are held at locations that are far from major city areas or those held at hotels, it's often a good idea to serve lunch. Food and drinks may also be served as part of a demo or product promotion. If your seminar is about food processing, for example, you could offer your audience an actual taste.
Negotiating With Caterers
Once you decide to include wining and dining, get in touch with a caterer. Caterers are more than willing to provide you with a set menu that you can choose from, which lets you decide on the food that will be served depending on your budget. Talk to at least three caterers to make sure you get the best deal.
Most caterers will offer you a menu with standard pricing, something that you generally cannot negotiate with if you have a fewer number of participants. Caterers will be using the same equipment and facilities whether you'll have 50 attendees or 200. However, you could get a good discount if you have more seminar attendees.
Caterers will also put into account the location and venue. If you will be renting a hotel room and hiring a caterer, the hotel might be charging certain fees for bringing in a third party. The caterer will not be paying these charges; you will.
If your venue is a hotel, check with their own catering service. Most hotels will offer a discount for using their facilities. Or, they could go the other way around and offer you a free rental of the room if you order enough on the food and drinks. Hiring the hotel's kitchen service is sometimes convenient and if you choose well, it could prove to be cheaper. Just make sure to consider this option when you do shop for caterers for your event.
Can Your Budget Afford Wining And Dining?
When you decide to wine and dine your seminar participants, remember that the cost of the food and drinks will be carried over by your ticket prices. A $20 ticket, for example, can go up by as little as $15 to as much as $75 per person. As a result, you will be charging more -- $35 to $95 per ticket. For high ticket events, that could go to several hundred dollars; depending of course on your rep and popularity as a seminar speaker and on your subject.
Although robust ticket sales will mean you will be able to cover the extra expense, remember that when you do get food catered, you need to shell out money in advance. Caterers generally ask for a 15% to 30% deposit. Depending on the number of participants you expect, you could pay plenty. However, if you determine that offering a luncheon seminar is well worth the effort and the expense, it could be a good step for you.
Jumat, 20 Januari 2012
What Type Of Seminar To Conduct
The key to succeeding in the seminar business, other than offering high quality seminars, is offering the right seminar. A subject that may be exciting to you may not be interesting to other people. Your job as a seminar provider is to offer value in your seminars; something that people can use or learn from. Learn the basic strategies for determining what type of seminar to conduct in order to increase your chances of success.
The Importance Of Subject Matter
The topics that will be discussed in your seminar have a huge impact on its success or failure. It doesn't matter how talented and skillful the speaker is if the subject doesn't impress your participants, your seminar will be useless. Plus, it could ruin your reputation as well.
To find out what type of seminar to conduct, do research, particularly market research. A background knowledge on what's prevalent and current in the seminar industry is a very valuable step. Seminars go with the flow of the season or the prevalent mood of the era. Your goal here is to be as relevant as possible to the needs of your prospective audience.
To find out what types of seminars are popular, go to your local convention or seminar bureau and look at their schedule. You'll find a listing of seminars all lined up for the coming weeks and months. You might also want to check out the local newspapers for ads. The Internet is also an excellent source of information about the types of seminars that are being offered. If you have a particular subject matter in mind, use this as a keyword in your search to find out what specific topics are most popular and therefore, saleable.
Or, you could go with the tried-and-tested perennial favorites such as sales motivation, customer service, marketing success, leadership and self-motivation seminars that are still big hits today.
When you do get a list of seminars from different sources, try to take note of the months of the year they are offered. That should give you an idea of how these professionals schedule their seminars in order to fit the season.
Find A Match In The Subject Matter And Your Own Expertise.
Determine what sort of seminar you can conduct effectively. If the topic is so popular, can you effectively offer a 90-minute or 4-hour seminar on it? If not, can you find a speaker who can deliver a top quality seminar on the subject?
Single-Session Or Multi-Session?
The most popular seminars last from a half-day session to a three-day event. There are also seminars that last for weeks, where participants meet with the presenter at specific times during each week within a limited period, say, 2 to 3 hours. There are advantages and limitations to each.
A single-session seminar allows you to complete the seminar within an extremely limited time period, say 2 hours to about 5 hours in one day. However, it's not only quicker, it's also cheaper to produce. You can maximize the topics you will be discussing and schedule one-on-one appointments and consultations immediately after, all in a span of one day. Or, if the topic is too expansive, you could use a single-session seminar and connect it to another single-session seminar which you will be conducting several days later, for a separate fee. If you can do this successfully, you'll earn more and develop a following.
With a multi-session seminar, you have to be a very talented speaker to keep your participants' interest long enough to actually follow through the weekly sessions. Otherwise, you might notice that the attendance (and attention) of your participants might start to dwindle.
Consider The Time And Season
Believe it or not, in the seminar industry, just because you build it doesn't mean they will come. Timing is a huge part of the equation. It can have a considerable effect on the attendance. Let's consider a seminar that is designed for seniors and retirees, for example. By now, you probably know that this group of people follows a routine. In general, it's a bad idea to hold your seminar during a weekday, especially if it's done in the morning. Most seniors and retirees have set activities and appointments during weekdays, set from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. That means it's a bad idea to start a seminar in the morning or a weekday. Learn the simple nuances that are unique to the type of seminars you want to conduct.
The Importance Of Subject Matter
The topics that will be discussed in your seminar have a huge impact on its success or failure. It doesn't matter how talented and skillful the speaker is if the subject doesn't impress your participants, your seminar will be useless. Plus, it could ruin your reputation as well.
To find out what type of seminar to conduct, do research, particularly market research. A background knowledge on what's prevalent and current in the seminar industry is a very valuable step. Seminars go with the flow of the season or the prevalent mood of the era. Your goal here is to be as relevant as possible to the needs of your prospective audience.
To find out what types of seminars are popular, go to your local convention or seminar bureau and look at their schedule. You'll find a listing of seminars all lined up for the coming weeks and months. You might also want to check out the local newspapers for ads. The Internet is also an excellent source of information about the types of seminars that are being offered. If you have a particular subject matter in mind, use this as a keyword in your search to find out what specific topics are most popular and therefore, saleable.
Or, you could go with the tried-and-tested perennial favorites such as sales motivation, customer service, marketing success, leadership and self-motivation seminars that are still big hits today.
When you do get a list of seminars from different sources, try to take note of the months of the year they are offered. That should give you an idea of how these professionals schedule their seminars in order to fit the season.
Find A Match In The Subject Matter And Your Own Expertise.
Determine what sort of seminar you can conduct effectively. If the topic is so popular, can you effectively offer a 90-minute or 4-hour seminar on it? If not, can you find a speaker who can deliver a top quality seminar on the subject?
Single-Session Or Multi-Session?
The most popular seminars last from a half-day session to a three-day event. There are also seminars that last for weeks, where participants meet with the presenter at specific times during each week within a limited period, say, 2 to 3 hours. There are advantages and limitations to each.
A single-session seminar allows you to complete the seminar within an extremely limited time period, say 2 hours to about 5 hours in one day. However, it's not only quicker, it's also cheaper to produce. You can maximize the topics you will be discussing and schedule one-on-one appointments and consultations immediately after, all in a span of one day. Or, if the topic is too expansive, you could use a single-session seminar and connect it to another single-session seminar which you will be conducting several days later, for a separate fee. If you can do this successfully, you'll earn more and develop a following.
With a multi-session seminar, you have to be a very talented speaker to keep your participants' interest long enough to actually follow through the weekly sessions. Otherwise, you might notice that the attendance (and attention) of your participants might start to dwindle.
Consider The Time And Season
Believe it or not, in the seminar industry, just because you build it doesn't mean they will come. Timing is a huge part of the equation. It can have a considerable effect on the attendance. Let's consider a seminar that is designed for seniors and retirees, for example. By now, you probably know that this group of people follows a routine. In general, it's a bad idea to hold your seminar during a weekday, especially if it's done in the morning. Most seniors and retirees have set activities and appointments during weekdays, set from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. That means it's a bad idea to start a seminar in the morning or a weekday. Learn the simple nuances that are unique to the type of seminars you want to conduct.
Selecting A Location
In the seminar business, location can bring in the crowds or keep them away. It can also spell the difference between a smashing success and a miserable failure. Your choice of seminar location will impact the mood of your seminar, particularly because it is a huge component of the setting. Choosing the wrong location can make your seminar unpredictable and difficult to control. Here's how to avoid these problems by learning the right way to select a location:
Determine Your Topic.
The subject matter that will be tackled by your seminar will play a huge factor in the selection of the location. Setting counts. If you conduct a seminar in an open location, for example, you could expose your audience to unnecessary distractions, something that could ruin the very engaging lecture you took weeks to prepare. Try to match the location with the topic you will be talking about.
Choose A Location That Will Not Steal Your Thunder.
Have you ever been to a seminar before? Try to notice how the room is built and the decor. Can't remember what they looked like? That's exactly the point. Clever speakers know that the more intricately designed a room is, the more it will take your audience's attention from you.
When selecting a location for your seminar, look for venues that are light and airy but not too brightly colored that the participants will be checking out the magenta against the gold grain of the walls. Your participants came to listen to you, so don't give them a reason not to.
Take Note Of Who Your Audience Is.
Generally, you can determine who the participants will be depending on the topic you want to offer. Find out how many of them will be coming and rent out a venue of an appropriate size. Trying to squeeze in 500 participants in a room that can only accommodate 300 is ridiculous and amateurish.
Show your audience some respect and make sure they are comfortable and capable of focusing on the topics that will be discussed.
Will Your Audience Come From Out Of Town?
If many of your participants will be traveling to your seminar location, it would be a good idea to hold your seminar in a location near an airport, hotels or even interstates.
Consider The Style Of The Seminar.
Not all seminars feature classroom-type scenarios where a speaker stands on a stage or behind a podium speaking in front of an audience for a good four hours. Some seminars might include a workshop or a hands-on demonstration. If yours will, look for a location or venue that has some extra space in which your participants can move or interact.
If your seminar is strictly educational or informative, you might have to set up the location differently. If your seminar involves lectures, you probably won't need a bigger area.
Consider How You Will Be Working The Room.
Some speakers like to stay in one place, such as a stage while others want to move around. When selecting a location, consider if the location is compatible with your speaking style. Can you arrange the chairs in such a way that the audience can face one another and you can walk among them? Can the stage be set up to accommodate a podium or a multi-speaker panel?
Include The Equipment You Will Be Using When Selecting A Location.
Will you be using or bringing equipment with you? Generally, speakers need only a microphone and a place to stand. These days, though, it's about the presentation. You might be using a huge screen behind you on the stage and a digital projector. Choose a location that can accommodate these equipment. If you will be using electricity, for example, the venue should have the necessary outlet and facilities.
Mind Your Budget.
The more exclusive the location, the more expensive it is. Decide whether an expensive location is truly necessary and helpful in ensuring you achieve the goals you have set. Your seminar location matters but remember that the cost of the venue will be carried over to the rates you charge. If you charge a higher rate for your seminar, will people still come? Try to find a middle ground for your preference and your financial considerations.
Determine Your Topic.
The subject matter that will be tackled by your seminar will play a huge factor in the selection of the location. Setting counts. If you conduct a seminar in an open location, for example, you could expose your audience to unnecessary distractions, something that could ruin the very engaging lecture you took weeks to prepare. Try to match the location with the topic you will be talking about.
Choose A Location That Will Not Steal Your Thunder.
Have you ever been to a seminar before? Try to notice how the room is built and the decor. Can't remember what they looked like? That's exactly the point. Clever speakers know that the more intricately designed a room is, the more it will take your audience's attention from you.
When selecting a location for your seminar, look for venues that are light and airy but not too brightly colored that the participants will be checking out the magenta against the gold grain of the walls. Your participants came to listen to you, so don't give them a reason not to.
Take Note Of Who Your Audience Is.
Generally, you can determine who the participants will be depending on the topic you want to offer. Find out how many of them will be coming and rent out a venue of an appropriate size. Trying to squeeze in 500 participants in a room that can only accommodate 300 is ridiculous and amateurish.
Show your audience some respect and make sure they are comfortable and capable of focusing on the topics that will be discussed.
Will Your Audience Come From Out Of Town?
If many of your participants will be traveling to your seminar location, it would be a good idea to hold your seminar in a location near an airport, hotels or even interstates.
Consider The Style Of The Seminar.
Not all seminars feature classroom-type scenarios where a speaker stands on a stage or behind a podium speaking in front of an audience for a good four hours. Some seminars might include a workshop or a hands-on demonstration. If yours will, look for a location or venue that has some extra space in which your participants can move or interact.
If your seminar is strictly educational or informative, you might have to set up the location differently. If your seminar involves lectures, you probably won't need a bigger area.
Consider How You Will Be Working The Room.
Some speakers like to stay in one place, such as a stage while others want to move around. When selecting a location, consider if the location is compatible with your speaking style. Can you arrange the chairs in such a way that the audience can face one another and you can walk among them? Can the stage be set up to accommodate a podium or a multi-speaker panel?
Include The Equipment You Will Be Using When Selecting A Location.
Will you be using or bringing equipment with you? Generally, speakers need only a microphone and a place to stand. These days, though, it's about the presentation. You might be using a huge screen behind you on the stage and a digital projector. Choose a location that can accommodate these equipment. If you will be using electricity, for example, the venue should have the necessary outlet and facilities.
Mind Your Budget.
The more exclusive the location, the more expensive it is. Decide whether an expensive location is truly necessary and helpful in ensuring you achieve the goals you have set. Your seminar location matters but remember that the cost of the venue will be carried over to the rates you charge. If you charge a higher rate for your seminar, will people still come? Try to find a middle ground for your preference and your financial considerations.
Research In-Depth
To succeed in the seminar business, being up-to-date with the latest trends and topics is essential. If you want to compete in this industry, it's important that you focus some of your efforts on market research. Being knowledgeable about what is happening in the market and what people want to know and will want to know will keep you way ahead of your competition. This is why performing in-depth research as a means for preparing your seminar program should be part of your business strategy.
Market Research
One of the ways in which you can perform market research is to conduct it on your own. Find out what topics are currently top sellers. Look for ads in newspapers to find out what type of seminars are being offered, by whom and where.
You might also want to consider looking at newspaper clippings about these seminars. Small news fillers, editorials, columns and special interest articles are excellent sources of information about a particular topic. Some newspaper editors and columnists, for example, will write about the seminars they have gone to. Some might even give a full review, both of the topic and the speaker.
You could also look at trade magazines in the industry you want to focus on. Trade journals in fields such as medicine, finance, construction and entrepreneurship are excellent sources of information about new seminars. Often, you'll find a list of seminars across the country in the back pages of these magazines, including the titles, dates, list of topics and even the names of the speakers.
Information from these resources is invaluable to your business conducting seminars. From here, you'll learn about how effective certain seminars are, who typically goes to these seminars and most importantly, who your competitors are.
Determining The Trend
It's not easy to determine the trends in the seminar industry. However, you can be sure that once a specific topic is a hit, it will be the buzz of the business for months to come. In fact, it could become the model and basis of many seminars that appear as an offshoot of the original concept.
Checking Out Your Competition
Consider it as some sort of industry spying but there's nothing illegal about learning directly from your competitors. Even the best speakers periodically attend seminars themselves, mainly to learn about new trends and often to learn what their competitors are doing. This is a good practice on your part if you wish to improve yourself as a seminar speaker or presenter.
What You Should Do
When looking for seminars to attend as part of your in-depth research, look for industry-specific seminars or those that will discuss topics you are interested in. If your goal is to teach new skills to accountants and bookkeepers, for example, attending a seminar designed specifically for architects and engineers will be useless for you.
Try to find out what the specific topics are. Generally, seminar providers will send out invitations and brochures about their lectures and this will include an outline of the subject. If the subjects seem interesting or relevant, then that's probably the seminar you want to attend. You can also get this information online, where speakers regularly post updates and topics, either on their own websites, a club website or forums.
When you do attend these seminars, ask for every brochure, write-up and material the speaker will provide. You can't commit everything to memory and in most cases, speakers refuse to have their seminars videotaped or recorded. Follow the lecture using the seminar outline and take notes about key points in the topics that will be discussed. You might also want to take note of how the speaker delivers the lecture and which topics received the most interest and reaction from the audience. You can use these notes later when you want to prepare or improve your own materials.
Finding Seminars
Other than newspapers, magazines and online resources, you can also tap local convention bureaus, agents and groups who regularly offer seminars. You'll usually find a list of schedules and some insight about which topics will be discussed but you can ask for specific seminars that you want to attend. Chances are, they will be able to help you or give you a referral. There is no need to tell them you wish to use your learning later. Just let them know what topics you are interested in.
Market Research
One of the ways in which you can perform market research is to conduct it on your own. Find out what topics are currently top sellers. Look for ads in newspapers to find out what type of seminars are being offered, by whom and where.
You might also want to consider looking at newspaper clippings about these seminars. Small news fillers, editorials, columns and special interest articles are excellent sources of information about a particular topic. Some newspaper editors and columnists, for example, will write about the seminars they have gone to. Some might even give a full review, both of the topic and the speaker.
You could also look at trade magazines in the industry you want to focus on. Trade journals in fields such as medicine, finance, construction and entrepreneurship are excellent sources of information about new seminars. Often, you'll find a list of seminars across the country in the back pages of these magazines, including the titles, dates, list of topics and even the names of the speakers.
Information from these resources is invaluable to your business conducting seminars. From here, you'll learn about how effective certain seminars are, who typically goes to these seminars and most importantly, who your competitors are.
Determining The Trend
It's not easy to determine the trends in the seminar industry. However, you can be sure that once a specific topic is a hit, it will be the buzz of the business for months to come. In fact, it could become the model and basis of many seminars that appear as an offshoot of the original concept.
Checking Out Your Competition
Consider it as some sort of industry spying but there's nothing illegal about learning directly from your competitors. Even the best speakers periodically attend seminars themselves, mainly to learn about new trends and often to learn what their competitors are doing. This is a good practice on your part if you wish to improve yourself as a seminar speaker or presenter.
What You Should Do
When looking for seminars to attend as part of your in-depth research, look for industry-specific seminars or those that will discuss topics you are interested in. If your goal is to teach new skills to accountants and bookkeepers, for example, attending a seminar designed specifically for architects and engineers will be useless for you.
Try to find out what the specific topics are. Generally, seminar providers will send out invitations and brochures about their lectures and this will include an outline of the subject. If the subjects seem interesting or relevant, then that's probably the seminar you want to attend. You can also get this information online, where speakers regularly post updates and topics, either on their own websites, a club website or forums.
When you do attend these seminars, ask for every brochure, write-up and material the speaker will provide. You can't commit everything to memory and in most cases, speakers refuse to have their seminars videotaped or recorded. Follow the lecture using the seminar outline and take notes about key points in the topics that will be discussed. You might also want to take note of how the speaker delivers the lecture and which topics received the most interest and reaction from the audience. You can use these notes later when you want to prepare or improve your own materials.
Finding Seminars
Other than newspapers, magazines and online resources, you can also tap local convention bureaus, agents and groups who regularly offer seminars. You'll usually find a list of schedules and some insight about which topics will be discussed but you can ask for specific seminars that you want to attend. Chances are, they will be able to help you or give you a referral. There is no need to tell them you wish to use your learning later. Just let them know what topics you are interested in.
Preparation
A seminar, conference or meeting preparation is an ordinary part of office life. There are many ways to get ready for these events. But all the preparations would go to waste if the attendance is a failure. Building attendance at seminars or meetings should be backed up with the proven methods of promoting or advertising.
Here are some of the techniques that have been used to fill a conference room:
1. There should be ample time to promote the meeting or seminar. Six months is good enough for a small seminar while a minimum of nine months is advisable for a bigger conference. These months of preparation would include the selection of the best speaker, making contact with the possible market, and efforts to make advertisements.
2. Make sure to assign the experienced staff in dealing with marketing and advertising efforts. Do not settle for those with limited knowledge.
3. Know your market, meaning, who will be your attendees? The contents of the conference depend mainly on who will listen to it.
4. Highlight the benefits that the attendees would be able to get out of the seminar. Make sure to point out what the clients would get out of the seminar and not what the business would get from the clients. Also, make the benefits feasible. Never make promises that the conference or seminar won't be able to deliver.
5. Do not use any technical jargons on any of your media. Make sure to advertise in layman's terms.
6. Whether the company will use snail mail or e-mail, it is always wise to notify those who will attend about 8-12 weeks in advance. Make sure to mail out enough invitations or leaflets to be able to hit the target number of attendees. Also, be sure to specify the start and end times for the seminar.
7. It is also wise to check for venues or locations for the seminar well ahead of the scheduled date. If the date is a holiday, it is better to advertise and market months before the seminar date.
8. Capitalize on what is digitally available nowadays. Make use of photos and some graphic elements to liven up any marketing material (whether that would be leaflets, flyers, or booklets).
9. One other proven technique to market the seminar is to highlight the speakers credentials. What has he accomplished so far and how can he help those who will attend?
10. Take note of the prime market and ascertain that a second mailing will be done for them at about 4 weeks before the seminar. The prime market could include CEOs, personal or training executives. These executives lead other people below them and once they are convinced of what the seminar would do for them, many others (their subordinates) are possible referrals.
11. Make use of the power of the media send out press releases through television, radio and newspapers. Paying for a hefty sum in advertising could be a bit heavy on the pocket, at first, but once a market is established, the revenues would be more than enough to cover the expenses.
12. It is always good to evaluate the critiques of attendees after the seminar. Ask questions or have them fill out a form that lets them express how they feel about the seminar.
13. Ensure the availability of coffee, tea or cold drinks for those who attend.
14. Make marketing calls and maximize the use of the company phones. Follow up on the possible market.
15. Also a good way to lure attendees is to offer any type of gift or bonus. People want freebies and any free sample from the seminar would make them feel good about the seminar (just make sure that the speaker didn't suck).
16. Also a good marketing strategy is giving discounts to those who would come in groups.
17. If a catalog comes with a tear-off business reply card (which is postage paid), then there are better chances that the one who gets the card will attend.
These are only some of the proven practices in getting the word out that an important seminar is about to take place. Making the market want your product or service often begins with visual enticement. That is what most advertising firms have been busy doing, and they work, so jump on.
Here are some of the techniques that have been used to fill a conference room:
1. There should be ample time to promote the meeting or seminar. Six months is good enough for a small seminar while a minimum of nine months is advisable for a bigger conference. These months of preparation would include the selection of the best speaker, making contact with the possible market, and efforts to make advertisements.
2. Make sure to assign the experienced staff in dealing with marketing and advertising efforts. Do not settle for those with limited knowledge.
3. Know your market, meaning, who will be your attendees? The contents of the conference depend mainly on who will listen to it.
4. Highlight the benefits that the attendees would be able to get out of the seminar. Make sure to point out what the clients would get out of the seminar and not what the business would get from the clients. Also, make the benefits feasible. Never make promises that the conference or seminar won't be able to deliver.
5. Do not use any technical jargons on any of your media. Make sure to advertise in layman's terms.
6. Whether the company will use snail mail or e-mail, it is always wise to notify those who will attend about 8-12 weeks in advance. Make sure to mail out enough invitations or leaflets to be able to hit the target number of attendees. Also, be sure to specify the start and end times for the seminar.
7. It is also wise to check for venues or locations for the seminar well ahead of the scheduled date. If the date is a holiday, it is better to advertise and market months before the seminar date.
8. Capitalize on what is digitally available nowadays. Make use of photos and some graphic elements to liven up any marketing material (whether that would be leaflets, flyers, or booklets).
9. One other proven technique to market the seminar is to highlight the speakers credentials. What has he accomplished so far and how can he help those who will attend?
10. Take note of the prime market and ascertain that a second mailing will be done for them at about 4 weeks before the seminar. The prime market could include CEOs, personal or training executives. These executives lead other people below them and once they are convinced of what the seminar would do for them, many others (their subordinates) are possible referrals.
11. Make use of the power of the media send out press releases through television, radio and newspapers. Paying for a hefty sum in advertising could be a bit heavy on the pocket, at first, but once a market is established, the revenues would be more than enough to cover the expenses.
12. It is always good to evaluate the critiques of attendees after the seminar. Ask questions or have them fill out a form that lets them express how they feel about the seminar.
13. Ensure the availability of coffee, tea or cold drinks for those who attend.
14. Make marketing calls and maximize the use of the company phones. Follow up on the possible market.
15. Also a good way to lure attendees is to offer any type of gift or bonus. People want freebies and any free sample from the seminar would make them feel good about the seminar (just make sure that the speaker didn't suck).
16. Also a good marketing strategy is giving discounts to those who would come in groups.
17. If a catalog comes with a tear-off business reply card (which is postage paid), then there are better chances that the one who gets the card will attend.
These are only some of the proven practices in getting the word out that an important seminar is about to take place. Making the market want your product or service often begins with visual enticement. That is what most advertising firms have been busy doing, and they work, so jump on.
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