| Training seminars are a marketing strategy | | | | |
| that every Solutions Provider should | | | | To reduce the no-show factor, send a written |
| seriously consider. The opportunity to | | | | confirmation of the training seminar |
| increase your trust and credibility factors | | | | registration by fax or email. You can even |
| with training seminars is one not to be | | | | call the day before with a reminder. |
| ignored. The following are some tips and | | | | |
| tricks to help you sponsor the most | | | | Have a check-in process so you know who |
| successful training seminars possible. | | | | actually attended. Always follow up with |
| | | | people who registered for the training |
| Remember that your training seminar is a | | | | seminar but didn't show up. This lets them |
| marketing tool not simply a goodwill gesture. | | | | know you missed them and gives you an |
| This means balancing providing value to the | | | | opportunity to make contact again. |
| attendees while still getting your sales | | | | |
| message out. | | | | Prepare a survey for people to fill out at |
| | | | the end of the training seminar. To get as |
| Pick a training seminar topic that you know | | | | many completed as possible, offer a free |
| your target is very interested in. Survey 10 | | | | report or CD in addition to any seminar |
| or 20 people within your existing network for | | | | handouts. The feedback is important for |
| ideas. If it appeals to them, chances are it | | | | additional marketing ideas, leads, and |
| will appeal to other members of your target | | | | referrals for future business. |
| audience. | | | | |
| | | | Provide a special offer to anyone who signs |
| When you conduct your informal survey, keep | | | | up for your featured service. Make the offer |
| track of common threads. Incorporate them | | | | time-lined so that you force them to make a |
| into your current training seminar or make | | | | decision quickly while they still have your |
| note of them for future ones. | | | | abilities fresh in their mind. |
| | | | |
| Make sure that whatever topic you pick, you | | | | The Bottom Line on Training Seminars |
| know the information VERY well. Your training | | | | |
| seminar is supposed to prove your competence | | | | Training seminars are an excellent way to |
| not highlight your weaknesses. | | | | market your services. For the best success, |
| | | | make sure everything you do regarding your |
| Set an RSVP deadline and limit the space. | | | | training seminar markets you and your |
| Make both of these items prominent in your | | | | abilities. Use the time to give subtle sales |
| training seminar announcements. This forces | | | | messages but don't lose sight of the fact |
| people to register in a timely manner and | | | | that the training seminar must provide value |
| suggests high demand. | | | | to the people in attendance. |