Conducting Workshops to Boost Your Business

Even if public speaking isn't your forte, don't worry. You can hire a seasoned presenter or facilitator and act as their assistant. With time and practice, you'll overcome your fear and gain the confidence to conduct workshops independently.

Getting Started with Your Workshop

Identify Your Workshop Topic and Target Audience

Firstly, decide what you want to teach and who your target audience is. For instance, if you run a bookkeeping business, you could offer basic bookkeeping lessons to budding entrepreneurs. When these entrepreneurs eventually decide to outsource their bookkeeping, they'll likely remember you.

Choose Your Workshop Style

Next, determine whether your workshop will be conference-style or skill development-style. In conference-style events, the trainer delivers a lecture, using audio-visual aids and handouts. In skill development workshops, participants get a chance to practice and hone specific skills. If you opt for the latter, remember to limit the number of participants to ensure each one receives individual attention.

Develop a Preliminary Outline

Create a preliminary outline of your workshop, including the activities you plan to incorporate. Decide on the key points, the skills your participants will acquire, and the teaching method you'll use.

Decide on the Workshop Duration

Decide on the ideal length of your workshop, including breaks. Will it be a weekend workshop? Or will it be spread over several weeks, with one session per week?

Determine the Venue Requirements

Consider the type of venue you'll need. Take into account factors like seating space, building regulations, parking, restroom facilities, and the availability of power supply for your equipment.

Plan Your Marketing Strategy

Decide how you'll promote your workshop. You could use posters, local media advertisements, letters to existing customers, press releases, emails, and more.

Create a Budget

First, calculate your expenses, including facility rental, equipment rental, refreshments, promotional budget, fee for helpers or assistants, administrative expenses, handouts, samples, binders, etc. Then, adjust the figures to identify the number of participants you'll need and the fee you'll charge to break even and generate a profit. Ensure your fee is reasonable and something your participants are likely to pay.

Set a Minimum and Maximum Number of Participants

Decide on the minimum number of participants you need to break even. Be prepared to cancel the workshop and refund participant fees if fewer people register. Also, decide on the maximum number of participants you can handle and offer a waiting list once that number is reached.

Arrange for Your Facility

If suitable space isn't readily available, consider meeting rooms at universities and colleges, community rooms in shopping malls, community halls and agencies, convention centers, etc.

Promote Your Event

Once you've planned everything, it's time to promote your event.

Complete the Workshop Planning

Create a detailed agenda for the workshop, outlining the activities and learning goals for each session. Arrange for equipment and refreshments, if necessary. Find your assistants.

Prepare for Last-Minute Disasters

Plan for unexpected situations. For example, if you're planning on showing a 45-minute video, have a backup plan in case the VCR breaks. A flexible attitude, a sense of humor, and backup material will help you handle any unforeseen circumstances.

Now, you're ready to conduct your workshop. Good luck!