Business Marketing : 10 Reasons to Market With Seminars
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By: Jenny Hamby
Date Submitted: 2009-07-23 12:48:17 - Article Views: 33
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For most entrepreneurs, "marketing" means postcards, brochures, newspaper ads, fliers, direct mail letters, and the like. Items that, if noticed at all, are glanced at before being tossed into the trash.
Not exactly what you envisioned when slaving over those marketing materials, is it? Let's be honest. What you really want -- and may have even deluded yourself into believing -- is that prospects are pleasantly surprised to receive your marketing pieces. That they eagerly read every word of your carefully crafted marketing copy (because, after all, you are an expert whose work and opinion they respect). So that, after thoughtful evaluation, a significant percentage of your audience takes you up on the offer you've so carefully presented.
Well, here's the good news. It IS possible to generate that type of respect, attention, and response with a largely overlooked marketing tool that the most successful entrepreneurs use to promote their products and services: Seminars.
Here are the top 10 reasons that marketing-savvy entrepreneurs use seminars to promote their businesses -- and why you should, too:
1. Seminars fill your marketing funnel with qualified leads. People who raise their hands by registering for an event automatically qualify themselves as good prospects. Attending a seminar takes time, and prospects who find time in their busy schedules to actively seek solutions to their problems are more likely to continue taking action by making an appointment, buying a product, or hiring a professional.
2. You'll find shy prospects. People who aren't out hunting for a solution to their problems, as well as prospects who dread encounters with pushy salespeople, are less likely to respond to a promotion that offers a free consultation to evaluate your services. Offering them the chance to attend a seminar asks for a lower level of commitment; all they're saying is "Yes, I'm interested in learning more about this topic," not "Yes, I'm ready to tackle this challenge and want you to help me."
3. Seminars help lower marketing costs. Offering seminars enables you to build a house mailing list of qualified leads who have contacted you for information. Eventually, you'll spend most of your time, energy and money marketing to this list ... which will also allow you cut back on costly advertisements, mailing list rentals, radio ads, etc., if desired. In addition, the people on this list will be more likely to respond to your offers than the public in general. A greater response means a greater return on your marketing investment.
4. Seminars can generate publicity for your practice. This is especially when your seminar deals with a "hot" topic. If you can demonstrate to the media that their readers/viewers are interested in your topic and would benefit greatly by attending your event, you can get your seminar (and, as the sponsor, your business, as well) mentioned in the press. You may even find editors who are so interested in what you have to say that they'll devote an entire article or story to your business and/or event.
5. The mere act of promoting your event raises awareness of your business. Let's face it. We are articlearded by advertising messages. Breaking through the clutter requires repetition -- lots of it. The more times your name and/or your business name gets in front of prospects, the more likely they are to think of you when they have a problem you can solve. So even if a particular individual doesn't respond to your promotions and attend your event, your promotions will still be helping to make your name familiar to that person.
6. Seminars are an easy way to spark word-of-mouth marketing. Asking for referrals for new prospective customers can be awkward and difficult for many entrepreneurs. But suggesting that customers and even other qualified prospects let their friends, family and colleagues know about your seminar is an easier request to make. And it's also one that's easier to comply with.
7. Speaking about a topic instantly positions you as an expert on the subject matter. And best of all, you don't have to claim you're an expert -- instead you're instantly perceived that way merely by being the person up in front of the room.
8. Prospects view you as a trusted resource. When promoting your business, you have to overcome a tremendous level of cynicism on the part of your prospects. From the minute you open your mouth or they start reading your promotions, prospects are thinking "Yeah, right. Prove it to me." They regard every statement and every claim with suspicion. Presenting a topic changes the nature of your interaction with prospects. Teachers are generally held in high regard and trusted considerably more than marketing-minded business owners. Because you're providing valuable information that enriches the lives of your prospects, they're more likely to view you as a trusted resource.
9. Selling becomes easier. Marketing via education has long been known to be an effective way to close sales. We buy from people that we know, like and trust. Offering valuable education opportunities to prospects gives them a way to become familiar with you and your expertise. When they are ready to take action to solve their problems, you'll be the first person who pops to mind as the expert to help solve the problem.
10. Education is marketing that actually benefits the recipients. Many professionals who are uncomfortable with the marketing process (e.g., feeling that it is pushy, crass or somehow beneath them) find that education-based marketing agrees with them. Seminars give you a way to share your expertise and valuable knowledge, so that attendees can benefit from what they've learned, even if they aren't ready to make an appointment with you. |
Author Resource Required for Reprint:
Jenny Hamby is a Certified Guerrilla Marketer and copywriter who helps consultants, speakers, and coaches promote their own seminars, workshops, teleseminars and webinars. For a free copy of her e-course, "31 Secrets to Jumpstart Your Seminar Promotions," visit http://www.FreeSeminarTips.com
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Article Source: Fully-Explained.com 
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seminar marketing  seminar promotion marketing with seminars lead generation seminars |
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