Events require more effort than you think

Every time you decide to do an event, take a deep breath and say a silent prayer (Tweet this or Share on Facebook). My business partner and I know how much work it takes to pull off a successful event. (This is why I often attend events instead of host them.) Within the last 12 months, I’ve experienced some pretty amazing events.  Still, when the WHY becomes big enough then I roll up my sleeves and do my own event. 

Nothing beats the thrill of a successful event: testimonies of transformation, crazy memories, new friendships.

But nothing beats the sting of an unsuccessful event: empty seats, technological glitches, and overlooked details. 

My next event—The Igniting Souls Conference—is this Thursday and Friday. My team and I are busy completing the final details. I thought I’d step back and share 3 quick strategies for selling out your next event and exceeding expectations in the process.

• ONE—Give extra honor to your tribe

Love your tribe. Give them extra swag, additional surprises, and unexpected perks. At our event we have special gifts, an exclusive lunch, early seating, and access to the speakers. (And that’s just the beginning). We want our tribe to know we value them and their support. We want to treat them like rock stars. And so we do.

• TWO—Build in experiential bonuses

I like field trips. I always have. Get people outside the classroom and they tend to grow exponentially.  Just 2 weeks ago I spoke at a conference in Tucson, AZ. The conference host (Betsy Bixby) boarded us on busses one evening. We literally drove out to the desert and found an amazing authentic BBQ spread out for us on a real horse ranch. Talk about a bonus! At our conference this week we have 3 bonuses. They’re sure to create some conversation and perhaps even some controversy. I’ll report on how it goes. Who knows. Maybe I’ll take some pics too.

• THREE—Equip attendees beyond your event

Events have their place. They accomplish a certain set of goals. However, processes play an important role too. At our events we equip our attendees to take the transformation back home with them. It’s why we created a 48 page workbook. It’s why we take time to journal our thoughts. It’s why we offer clear next steps that produces lasting change long after the event. One of my mentors (John Maxwell) helped me understand the differences between events and processes (see chart below). This truth helped me take my business to the next level.

QUESTION: What’s a strategy you’ve seen at a live event that exceeded your expectations? (Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post)