You’ve probably seen ads in your local newspaper or direct mail about various events and seminars in your local area.
If you’ve ever wondered if you can make money speaking at such events, why not have your own event?
If you’re an expert on a subject (and you probably are), then you can host a professional event that makes enough money that you can do one or two a year and earn a full-time living.
Some ideas to help you get started:
1. Work locally
You can quickly establish yourself as a local expert and find great deals from local vendors to help you put together a super professional and profitable event. By holding an event in your local area, you will be able to access your commercial network and publicize your event quickly, cheaply and effectively.
2. Rent a place
Many places in your local area offer venues to hold your seminar. Places like hotels, churches, schools, universities, and even restaurants often rent event spaces. Make sure they offer the services you need like technology, internet, microphones, etc. Visually check out the space and even attend an event if possible.
3. Charge a fee
While you can technically make money at free events by offering books, DVDs, and other information products for sale at your event, it’s best to charge a fee to help cover venue and promotional costs where possible. This will also give you valuable cash flow for your speaking efforts and also to make payments to paid speakers who show up at your event.
Determining the cost of the event can be tricky if you let it, but it’s honestly a mathematical equation. Add up all your costs, including the speaking fee you’d like to earn, then divide by how many you plan to fill, and multiply the seats answer by 1.5. This gives you some leeway.
4. Market your event
Never skimp on the marketing of your event. It is very important and could be one of the most important aspects of your event. I wish I had spent more money marketing my event last year. If you skimp on marketing, there is a danger that not enough people will show up and you could lose your investment. Leave no ‘marketing stone’ unturned. Use the local newspaper, local radio, flyers, the Internet, or smaller free speaking events through local and non-profit organizations.
5. Collect the money
This seems normal, but you’d be surprised how many people forget how to collect money for the event. You can pick up at the door and before there are people at the door. You can sell tickets at various ticket outlets, local bookstores and other local areas and on the Internet.
6. Host a big event
The other tip for making money at your own seminar is to host a great event. Make sure that you have chosen well who will organize it, even if it is yourself, so that everyone enters and leaves the stage on time. Pay attention to the timing of speeches and respect the time of paying guests, as well as your sponsors and others. Giving everyone what they want can be hard, but it can also be satisfying and fun.
7. Standing at the table
Set up a table before and after the event for people to buy things for you and the other attendees. Use a good tablecloth and cover and put up a good display. Have someone managing the area. You want a way to take cash, credit, and local checks, if possible, to get the most opportunities to sell the extra products that can add hundreds to your bottom line. So make sure you have change and a way to make it easy.
