Comments on: DANGER ZONE: Filling Your Own Events

By: Martha Carnahan

Martha Carnahan — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:42:06 +0000

Ohhhhh, Michelle. You are so great at telling it like it is, sistah! I have not done my own live events (only teleclasses), but used to create, market and run events for corporations I worked for. We had a serious system that worked, we had it down to a science — and you are right, it took a TON of focused effort, persistence, and drive. And thinking through MANY tiny little details. I’ve poured out much blood, sweat and tears over hosting events! (Blood, really — I cut the heck out of my hand putting together a display one of our engineers had designed!)

One thing I see new business owners do is “assume” a lot. Assuming the world is thrilled with their topic, assuming that being “interested” in their topic is the same as paying to be there. Assuming it will be breezy easy, etc. And they also neglect to itemize every potential expense. The venue, food, drinks, flowers for the table, easels for the flip charts, special swag stuff, name tags, binder full of materials, blah blah blah… it all adds up and can quickly eclipse your revenue.

SO glad you are out there teaching folks how to be successful with this!!

By: Inga Deksne

Inga Deksne — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:45:10 +0000

Thanks for the article Michelle! in my day job part of my duties is to organise events and most of the time we offer free events, even then it’s not easy to fill in the space and it takes a set of well planned actions. I imagine that paid events are even more difficult to sell out.
agree about personal invites, people are bombarded with so many mass emails that personal touch can be vital in making decision to attend the event.
lately, I’ve been thinking about creating events for my coaching business, your article come as a sign that I’m on the right path.

By: Leah Shapiro- Life Activator

Leah Shapiro- Life Activator — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:00:25 +0000

Thanks for the no-nonsense, real advice about filling events, Michelle.

I agree with the personal invitation approach. You got to hustle like you mean it to get people in the door. I’ve found that for the Luscious Ladies Lounges that I do, event though there is a large group of ladies who want to go, the way i’m getting them to commit and pay is to send them personal invitations and talking to them. Sending them a group email doesn’t work.

By: Sue Burness

Sue Burness — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:18:57 +0000

Thank you for telling it like it is! I haven’t done any LIVE events (except little-bitty ones a few years ago). Any chance you’ll offer us some of your stellar guidance around promoting an online event Michelle?

By: Nona Jordan | the Business Yogini

Nona Jordan | the Business Yogini — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:06:28 +0000

I love your no BS approach to this, Michelle. Especially, if you aren’t comfortable with selling, then forget events. I’ve found that the BEST way to fill programs – live or online is referrals and personal invitations. And that DOES require a lot of clarity and hustle. Thank you for articulating what you’ve learned through years of trial and error!!! xoxo