Seminars and events have always been implemented as a holistic experience to participants. Thus, organizing an event requires extensive planning and preparation with most work implemented at least a few months before the actual event. Most of the time, seminars seem to run like clockwork with all events flowing smoothly according to schedule. In reality however, much groundwork has been worked on with the purpose of developing the right atmosphere in addition to a beneficial experience to partipants.

1. Establishing the theme of the event

Each event follows a theme and purpose which will drive the event set-up, the target audiences or the participants, the guests and the marketing approach. In general, a business event such as an international conference for a particular industry will appeal to participants conducting businesses within that industry as well as sponsors who gain mileage out of publicizing their products during the event.

Apart from that, the theme of the seminar will also determine the type of marketing channels to be used to for publicity. This also holds true for the seminar marketing team who will need the event theme to correctly identify target participants and companies to sell the event to.

2. Selecting a venue

Venue selection is highly dependent on the scale of the event. Usually this is determined by the number of participants, the presence of any guests of honor (such as royalty or politicians) the activities during the event, or if there are additional floor space required for exhibition purposes.

A typical seminar of about 100 – 200 can be comfortably implemented in a hotel seminar room, possibly in a theater style setting or classroom setting. However, larger scale events with participant numbers scaling between 500 – 1000 may require a large hall, ballroom, auditorium or a convention center.

The location and quality standard of the venue is also important especially if the event involves the participation of VIPs. With this, a reputable location would be imperative, including good quality and wide range of seminar facilities available. It is always wise to explore the possibility of a few venues and examine their location suitability, level of services, ambience, and costs before coming to a decision.

3. Seminar Marketing and Publicity

Seminar marketing is by far the most critical and often most challenging task in event organizing, and is often regarded as the most critical factor of an event’s success. This is because the number of participants turning up for a seminar is highly dependent on the strength of marketing activities and publicity. Whether or not the event achieves its objective or whether the organizers will walk home with a profit or loss largely depends on the marketability of the event. This means that the right marketing strategy and seminar positioning must be adopted in order to draw adequate event sign-ups.

Most of the time, event organizers who have large budgets will turn to above the line marketing such as newspaper and magazine advertisements as well as radio and television advertising to publicize the event. Press releases may also be sent in to major newspapers, in order to create the awareness of the upcoming event. Additionally, large advertising media banners and posters can also be purchased to advertise the event in high human traffic areas. When using print advertising, the specific magazine or newspaper used must have the target audience of your event as their primary readership base. Also all print media should be copy written with an enticing approach, highlighting the extensive benefits of participation.

However, if budget is a problem, then below the line marketing may also do wonders. If the event is industry specific, mass faxing to companies belonging to the industry would be feasible. Telemarketing is a very effective marketing channel to create awareness within the right participant group. Additionally, dispatching sales personnel to attend to the requirements of large participant groups is an ideal and effective strategy. Mass emailing has become one of the most cost-efficient methods to reach out to large target audiences. This would be really useful if the event organizer already have an existing database. Otherwise, a list of names can be rented from database companies to attain the same results.

4. Collaboration with sponsors

Getting reputable sponsors to participate in an event will help boost the creditability of the event, as well as reduce costs. Sponsors can also help with marketing, as they also help publicize your event to their customers. Apart from that, some of the sponsors can chip in on venue rental in exchange for exhibition space or publicity for themselves. Some sponsors also require a short message of their company to be given to the participants during the event. Others give away sample products or door gifts to participants.

5. Managing People and working with speakers

A seminar will not be successful without the people running it, as well as the speakers sharing their knowledge to the participants. Invite speakers who are of caliber and reputation to the event, and who will provide the participants with relevant information to their work, industry or business. Prepare the speakers beforehand and work with them on their Power point presentations as well as pre-inform them of the logistics processes, timing as well as the expected audience size. Check with them on any special requests, such as the requirement for an overhead projector or additional microphones to be used for question and answer sessions.

All events require a good team of people handling tasks on ushering, registration, customer service as well as handling financials. Familiarize the team with any required event protocol to eliminate the possibility of confusion or error. In order to ensure smooth implementation, each person should be familiar with their individual roles. This can be ensured through a preparation of a detailed schedule of events coupled with roles and responsibilities for each person. Ideally, a project manager should control the whole team and ensure that everyone is carrying out their duties efficiently. Apart from that, the project manager also has the delegated authority to deal with all parties such as the venue management as well as the sponsors and event exhibitors.

6. Actual Day – Preparation, Registration, Ushering, Feedback

All seminar planning and preparations, constituting 80% of total work involved, cascade to the actual event which may last only for a few hours or a few days. On the day before the event, visit the venue to ensure that everything is in order according the requirements and specifications. Microphones, projectors, audio and video systems must be all checked to be in excellent working order. Over at the office, have a packing list prepared and get all require items transferred to the actual venue at least a day before the event. Event staff should be dispatched to work on site preparations, including setting up booths, decorations and posters, the day before the event.

On the actual day, staff should be present at the venue at least 1 ½ hours before commencement. They should report to their duty stations and must be ready to receive participants half an hour before they are scheduled to file in. Registrations must be made at the door to ensure authorized access. Name tags, door gifts and event schedules or booklets will be given out at this point and ushers will show participants to their seats in the event hall.

Staff will also be responsible for providing advice or help to participants during the event. Finally, feedback forms should be distributed and then collected from participants to determine the satisfaction level on all aspects of the event experience. This is in order to receive pointers, ideas and advice for future improvements.

Matt Bacak, The Powerful Promoter and Entrepreneur Magazine e-Biz radio show host, became a "#1 Best Selling Author" in just a few short hours. He has helped a number of clients target his specialty, opt-in email direct marketing systems. The Powerful Promoter is not only a sought-after internet marketer but has also marketed for some of the world's top experts whose reputations would shrivel if their followers ever found out someone else coached them on their online marketing strategies. For more information, visit Bacak's site at http://www.powerfulpromoter.com or sign up for his Powerful Promoting Tips at http://www.promotingtips.com

know, I know...

Huh?

"Joe, of course the best and latest marketing strategies are going to bring the boatload of profits and worry - free business they promise!"

Sure they can...but is your business at that level yet?

Come on now, put your ego aside and really do an honest self - evaluation here.

Does your current marketing process carry a client from "just looking" to "sold" effortlessly?

Some things to keep in mind when you are analyzing the strength of your current marketing efforts:

1) Message - does your marketing message contain and promote your Unique Selling Proposition? If not (and most marketing messages don't) then this is the first step of implementing the "basic" marketing rules to your business. If you do not know what a Unique Selling Proposition is...well...why even begin to look at the latest and greatest marketing techniques in the first place? Walk before you run, grasshopper.

By the way, this is the most basic of marketing techniques...and the most often overlooked or not even used.

2) Market - For those few businesses that actually have defined their U.S.P., the next step is to match your unique message to your market, or the clients you wish to target. The key word there is target. If you fail to clearly identify who your ideal client is...your money will run out someday and your business will fail, period. To start you off targeting your market, think of your market in this manner:

--You want the most clients in a pool of the most defined niche possible...for example:

Targeting a huge pool of clients like "all males" or "all females" is not good enough of a target.

But...

a) Targeting "All females, 25 - 34, with median income of over $30,000 in the household" is a good start depending on your product or service, and your U.S.P. if it is well developed.

Or...

b) Business Opportunity seekers that have recently purchased a mid - level coaching program.

Or...

c) Real Estate Investors that deal specifically with pre - foreclosures.

Do you see the common thread in each of a, b, and c?

The market is actually narrowed a little bit further than the general category. What you are shooting for here is a sizable enough market of potential clients, but narrowed enough so you can be considered a "specialist" in that market.

Match your U.S.P. and message to your market correctly...

And you will have all the profits your business needs. But there is one more "basic" marketing technique that you need to master before you advance your business to the level where you can start to think about using all of those bigger and better advanced strategies you keep looking at.

3) Basic Marketing Media and Testing - The "how you're reaching your market" stuff. What is the best media to use? Are you testing different approaches and then developing those that work?

Even for internet marketers...online may not be the best place to market your product, but rather the best spot for the client to place their order. Offline media such as newspaper, direct mail, seminar marketing, and others may actually work to promote an online business better than simply directing Pay Per Click ads at a website offering a "freebie" or introductory offer.

My own business is a perfect example of this.

I offer marketing coaching, copywriting, and a couple of internet resources on my website at http://www.dynamicwebcopy.com but I do not use PPC advertising at all. Mainly local, targeted, direct mail and seminar marketing. I have found a greater response rate using these methods combined with article marketing on the web. I have thoroughly tested my market, my U.S.P (offering complimentary coaching sessions with my copywriting services), and found offline methods to be more profitable for my business.

But your business may be different. So test for yourself, use the techniques that work best with your U.S.P. and clearly targeted market...and watch your profits soar.

And quit searching for the "next big thing" until your business is in a position to maximize profits using those techniques. Master the basics first.

See you at the top.

Joseph Ratliff is a professional marketing consultant, trainer, and speaker. You can grab your copy of the report "Double Your Business In 90 Days" at http://www.profitpartnersconsulting.com . Hurry, only 250 copies will be given away.

Seminar marketing is one of the most productive and cost-effective ways to build your financial practice!

You can:

• Obtain an implied endorsement of you and your practice through sponsorship
• Increase your visibility in the community and develop long-term relationships with small businesses organizations
• Present seminars to large groups of qualified prospects with similar needs
• Utilize a systematic marketing process
• Reduce your marketing expenses while increasing your ability to meet qualified, motivated prospects:

• $4,000 to $8,000 for local media advertising

• $2,000 to $3,000 for a direct marketing campaign

• $150-$300 to fill the room at a seminar sponsored by a local organization

Your Window of Opportunity

Sponsored seminars are expected to grow 10 to 15% annually for the next decade. The following factors have created greater demand for seminars sponsored by community organizations and financial institutions:

• Entrepreneurs starting their first business
• Better managemnt skills needed in an existing business
• Employee lawsuits threatening business stability scandal
• Individual business owners seeking financial education
• Employers evaluating new systems and procedures

A Better Way Build Your Accounting, Consulting or Tax Practice

Sponsored seminar marketing provides you with a repeatable, systematic marketing process.

You can leverage your time and money more effectively to accomplish your most difficult practice building steps listed below:

1. Prospecting

• Sponsored seminar marketing puts you in front of more people

• Sponsored seminars give you credibility through an implied endorsement

• You can reduce your marketing expenses by 75%-90%

2. Education

• Your seminars give you a forum to educate attendees

• Build trust and rapport in a noncommercial, interactive environment

• Showcase your expertise and establish your integrity

3. Data Gathering

• Performed by the attendee as part of the seminar process

• Learn techniques that lead to greater than 50% client conversion

4. Decision Making

• Streamline the decision-making process

• Educated prospects understand your recommendations

5. Implementation

• Learn how to make a smooth transition from educator to advisor

6. Client Retention

• Client appreciation seminars make annual reviews easy and profitable

• Open new doors to small businesses during the process

The result - you convert a high percentage of the qualified prospects you meet into lifelong clients.

You Need A Seminar Marketing Tool Kit

Your Seminar Marketing Tool Kit should include the following:

• Sponsor solicitation materials

• Scripts, checklists, and marketing approaches to open doors to local organizations for sponsorship.

• Topics for seminar promotion, closing techniques, and specific actions steps to help you implement your marketing strategy right away.

Kirk Ward provides free marketing resources for accountants, consultants and tax professionals at http://instantpracticebuilder.com. Or, you can visit http://instantpracticebuilder.com/surveys/survey001.htm and tell Kirk what you need to make your professional practice grow.

Don’t believe the scuttle butt. Presented well and to the right audience with the right follow-up systems; seminars are still an extremely effective marketing tool for financial advisors. The problem is that many advisors aren’t paying attention to these details. Are there advisors using seminars effectively? Yes! In fact, some of the very top advisor coaches are convincing their clients to focus more on seminar marketing in these turbulent times and these advisors are reaping large harvests from their efforts.

Why use seminar marketing?

Begin with the end in mind, says Steven Covey. In this case, we want to collect a group of highly-motivated, high-value clients from our seminar marketing. We want the return on investment (ROI) to be extremely attractive. We want these to run like clock work. We want our seminars to consume the least amount of our time. Does that about sum it up?

The primary objective of seminars is to generate a lot of new business, not to get compliments on your teaching ability, humorous stories or the quality of the meal you serve.

There are several links in this chain: we need to make sure that the audience has the potential to meet our expectation, we need to close for appointments with 50% of the attendees and we need to convert those appointments into business.

How do you get a target audience?

What is your target audience? A target audience is one where the audience’s needs and concerns are aligned with your value proposition and service offering. For example, if your ideal client is the active, affluent senior living in Temecula California then don’t expect good results from a seminar that appeals to Baby Boomers with education funding concerns.

In the seminar business there are two ways to qualify attendees: first is with the right mailing list and the second is through the invitation’s copy. The right list means using a vendor with a large enough database of households and data points about those households to match your target audience. If your target audience is affluent seniors, then you really don’t have a targeted audience. That’s simply too broad. But if your target audience were retired boat owners in the state of Texas who were married, owned their homes and were over age 62, then you would be getting closer to a target audience.

How do you qualify with copy?

You want certain characteristics in your audience. For instance, you might be focusing on the IRA rollover market among retirees who own their homes in central Arkansas. When you write the copy you insert phrases like, “You must attend this seminar if you are planning an IRA rollover in the next 6 months.” Or, “If your IRA is worth less than $250,000 then you might not benefit from this workshop.”

How do you get qualified, targeted leads to your seminars?

Once you have aligned your value proposition with your target market you are well on your way. The next task is to rent space in the mind of your target audience through drip marketing.

Drip marketing is extremely effective because you send promotional pieces with clear, constant and consistent marketing messages to a targeted group over a period of time. The group begins to identify you through the pieces and you become like a jingle they just can’t get out of their heads. Once you’re on their mind and they make contact, you simply have to follow through with your value proposition.

As you send out your promotional pieces consider putting a schedule of your seminars in them, so there’s plenty of opportunities for people to make it to your presentation. The more opportunities you give them to hear what you have to offer, the better your chances of getting them to your presentation.

You can market your seminars through the promotional pieces to catch your target group’s attention and drive them to your event. However, the copy in these pieces must not only have the aforementioned qualifiers, but must be fresh, engaging and professional. You must communicate quickly and often how you can earn or save them more money.

If you are looking for more training and education on seminar marketing then go to BuildYourMarket.com and look under the market tab. You will find highly-detailed, easy-to-use marketing strategies to build out your brand, capture market share and reach financial independence.

Does your CRM just lay there? Bring it to life with BuildYourMarket.com (http://www.buildyourmarket.com/) , the original web-based brand management tool for financial advisors. This one application integrates your CRM with your website and generates four color print-on-demand newsletters and postcards. If you are a registered rep, all your marketing communication is linked to your compliance officer’s desktop. Reprinted with permission from the Ezine: AdvisorMarketingNews.com- "Delivering Today’s Trends the Advisor Professional" (http://www.advisormarketingnews.com/) Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathran_Martin

Public speaking is a great way to obtain new clients and further establish your expertise as a service professional. You can go about this in two ways. First, you can speak at meetings or events hosted by others. Second, you can host a seminar yourself. If you choose to do the latter, here are five ways how to publicize a seminar.

1) Do a Webinar!- If you really want to do a seminar, but find yourself struggling with the logistics (location, finding the right time, etc.), go with a webinar instead. Your participants can call in, listen to you deliver the seminar, and follow along with your slides. An added bonus to hosting a webinar is that you can save it as a podcast and let even more people listen to it later.

2) Partner Up- Publicize your seminar through businesses that offer services complimentary to yours. For example, if you are hosting a seminar in order to show people how to do their own taxes, you can partner with a local law firm to advertise it. In turn, you can offer to advertise their services at your seminar by placing their banner at the back of the room or by giving out their business cards.

3) Get Bloggers on Board!- Ask local bloggers and specifically, bloggers who blog about your topic to advertise your seminar. Some may charge you a fee and some may share the information with their readers for free. The reason blogs are a great medium for publicizing seminars is because bloggers already have a strong following and if their readers are interested in your particular topic, it works out perfectly.

4) Give Away FREE tickets- Radio stations are always looking for free giveaways and this can get you some free advertising! Offer a pair of free tickets as a giveaway to a key local radio station (hint-the radio station your target market listens to).

5) Donate Part of the Profits to a Charity- Find a charity that appeals to you and is somewhat related to your business and offer to give them part of the profits from the seminar. For example, if you are a coach for moms, you can pick a children's charity. Most charities will help you get the word out to their demographic. If their demographic is also your target market-it is a win win for all involved!

Seminars can be a challenge to market, especially if you are not well known but if you use smart marketing techniques it can be very rewarding experience!

A lot of people I speak to tell me that seminars are just cheerleading sessions. Well, I beg to disagree. Attending seminars may just be one of the most important things you can do for your Internet marketing career. Many careers have literally be launched because of these seminars with the people attending thanking their lucky stars for deciding to go. But why? Why are seminars so important? What is it about them that can turn a nobody into the next Internet guru? This article is going to explain why seminars are so important and why you'd be foolish to pass up an opportunity to go to one.

Probably the most important reason to attend seminars is exposure. I know you're probably thinking, "But nobody even knows who I am. Who's going to notice me?" That's the point. There are going to be a lot of big names at these seminars. If you take the time to introduce yourself and strike up a conversation with these people, you'll be surprised at the reception you'll get. Don't try to sell anything or push for a JV or anything like that. Just be yourself and speak casually. Most of these people will ask about you and what you do. Over the course of the evening, don't be surprised if you end up going home with a JV deal. It happens all the time.

Another reason to go to seminars is, believe it or not, that you'll actually learn something at these events. Many seminars, because of the price tag that comes with them, will end up teaching you things that you're just not going to learn anywhere else. Most seminars have multiple speakers with all kinds of expertise. You'll learn about copywriting, traffic generation and a wide assortment of things. Bring a pad and a pen. You'll be doing a lot of writing. With all you'll learn, you'll have a very good shot at launching a successful product very soon afterwards.

A third reason to go to these seminars is because you will find a lot of offers for some amazing products at prices that you're just not going to find anywhere else. Some of the biggest names will be selling products that would normally cost you several hundred dollars for a song. This is where you really save a lot of money in the long run. And many of these products are top notch.

So for those of you who think that seminars are just a waste of time, between the networking, the information you'll learn and the money you'll save on great products, attending a seminar can be one of the best things you can do for your Internet marketing career.

To YOUR Success,

Steven Wagenheim

Tired of busting your behind for peanuts online? Go to my web site and find out how I earn a monthly income that exceeds 5 figures and how I can help YOU do the same. Get your free report at http://www.mysecretarticles.com/report.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Wagenheim

One of the best ways for potential clients to find out about you and your company is through public speaking. Free seminars attract potential clients. It is a chance for them to get information straight from you. You are the best marketing tool for your business. Speaking to groups is nothing more than a large conversation. It is powerful and efficient marketing.

By making the seminar free, you engender goodwill from your audience. By addressing issues of concern to them, you are validating their perceptions that the topic you are speaking about, is an important one. By offering good, sound, and thorough advice, you establish yourself as an expert.

A number of dynamics take place when you are in front of a group of people. First, you are the center of attention. Each member of the audience feels as if your are speaking directly to him or her. You’re not an envelope that goes unopened. Your are not a telemarketing call that comes at dinnertime. You’re not a television commercial that gets clicked off in favor of another channel. Speaking to a group puts you at the forefront of message delivery and effective communication. You are having a conversation with an audience. Sure, members of the audience can walk out of the room, but of those present, you have their undivided attention.

As you speak, you are also establishing credibility with the audience. Hopefully, this audience has potential paying clients. If they don’t, you shouldn’t be speaking to them. You establish yourself as an expert in whatever you are talking about. People like buying from experts. They feel comfortable buying from people they know and trust.

Give complete information in conjunction with your self-promotion. Don’t hold back, don’t offer just enough information to peak their interest. Elaborate on each topic you choose, supplementing theoretical information with case studies or anecdotes. Establish the depth of your knowledge along with your expertise.

It’s important to understand, that speaking to a group is marketing, not selling. Your speaking should offer something of value, not a direct pitch. Potential speaking topics that are marketing and value oriented are things that are solutions to problems, such as weight loss or money management.

You won’t get 100% of the attendees to become clients. Some people attend such events out of general interest rather than a particular need. But if you dedicate two or three hours of your time one of two evenings a month to addressing subjects with which you are already very familiar, you will see an increase in your client base that will repay your minimal expense and effort.

There are many types of potential audiences. These include community organizations, professional groups, trade associations, and civic groups. Your current prospects and existing customers are also excellent target audiences as well. Here’s an example of how you could promote your free seminar.

Create an ad or mailing piece announcing a free 90 or 120 minute seminar on a subject of wide general interest. Relate the presentation to your specialty. For example, a medical doctor could talk about breakthrough techniques for overcoming, eliminating, or avoiding cancer or arthritis. Another topic could be ten medically safe methods of losing weight. A financial planner or tax accountant could present a seminar on sheltering income.

After a headline announcing the topic, the copy should talk about your credentials, accomplishments, achievements, and any articles that have been written about your practice or specialty. Here’s an example of how your copy might read: “Dr. Wells is a specialist in this subject. He’s conducted research and he’s perfected techniques. He will present a seminar for people interested in the topic but who do not know the facts. This seminar will be held from______ to ______on_______.

Admission must be free but people need to have a reserved ticket in advance for admission. To do this simply give them a number to call or a Web address where they can pre-register. By doing this you can capture their names and addresses for future mailings. You could simply collect names at the door, but by having them reserve a ticket in advance it makes it more professional and easier the day of the event to have your attendees just present a ticket to get in.

Another way to create an audience for a seminar is to contact business and professional organizations, such as the Rotary Club or the local Chamber of Commerce. Offer to speak on subjects of importance to the group. For example, a medical doctor might speak about stress reduction to businessmen and women. A CPA might offer to speak on loopholes still available to corporations after recent tax changes. A lawyer might talk about how to write non-compete clauses, or how to write contracts, or how to patent or license concepts or ideas. In order for the group to invite its members and to get a good turnout, your topic needs to be of major interest to them.

Your seminar should be split into two parts. In the first half, peak their interest with anecdotal information. Then have a short 15 minute break During this break mingle with the audience, distribute your business cards, brochure, or any other information you’ve put together about your business.

In the second half of the seminar, offer some service that’s free but designed to capture valuable information. For example, conduct a quick survey of your audience. This survey should be on something of interest to them, such as a personality profile or something else that ties in with the topic you’re speaking about. Have them respond to 25 basic questions providing their name, address, telephone, and e-mail on the questionnaire. Then when you get back to your office, tabulate the results and send a brief summary back to them.

At the end of the seminar, you will have to establish initial contact for an on-going dialogue. Let them know that you’ll be following up with mailing, or a phone call to get their feedback on the seminar. Let them know that because of their attendance they will receive a free subscription to your newsletter. You’ve captured their names and addresses to add to your prospect list. Don’t let the seminar be a one-shot deal.

Whether your seminar is successful or unsuccessful, it has residual value if you record or transcribe the text. You can and should make a transcript or recording of your seminar and then make it available to both your prospects and current customers.

Send a tape or transcript of your seminar to prospective clients, along with a cover letter telling them that many people who attended your seminar told you t