60 minutes: so little time, so much to do! Short workshops are the perfect way for a coach or consultant to build a loyal following. By following a simple formula, you can minimize the challenges and increase the WOW factor.
1. Choose an attractive topic and title.
2. Include the five key components: acceptance lead, a great idea, a list of steps or an overview of a process or topic, a demonstration or practical component, and a conclusion that includes a call to action.
3. Provide an appetite-inducing takeout.
The topic of a one-hour workshop must be compelling. It must showcase your skills, provide extraordinary value for participants, and at the same time leave them eager for more. The title should capture the interest of your potential audience and ask a question or say how you will provide a solution to a common problem. Make the title action-oriented. Develop a short list of topics that you can easily talk about, and create outlines of each that you can customize for different audiences.
Your workshop structure includes clear components that maintain a structure and flow that sustains interest, builds credibility, engages participants, and establishes you as a valuable resource (that is, someone to buy from!). Start with a compelling purchase. Whether you provide a surprising fact, scare the audience into needing something, or ask a question that serves as the focus of the workshop, you have about a minute to make it clear why your audience needs to pay close attention. Stick to a great idea. People are easily overwhelmed with too many ideas. An overwhelmed person will not seek your services.
The body of your presentation should go back and forth between providing information and giving participants an opportunity to discuss, practice, or experience that information. These experiential components allow people to assimilate information and also make each one feel that they have received individual attention. In the middle of this section, it is appropriate to insert a small plugin for your services; If you take my e-course, you will receive detailed information on each of these topics.
Finally, spend the last few minutes on a call to action. After all, you are doing this workshop to attract participants to your services! Summarize what you have said, then clearly let people know how to get more. Increase and cement this desire for your services by giving people something to wear. Have a brochure that covers the main points of your presentation. Pass out a short demo CD; its creation is very economical. If you sell a product, give a small sample.
Above all, make sure your contact information is prominently displayed throughout the workshop. Even if your only brochure is an address book, make sure it includes your name, phone number, email address, and website. Create a list of products and services and offer a discount for registering there.
There are continuing education centers, religious organizations, spas, coffee shops, civic organizations, and groups of all sizes that only ask for speakers to provide information to their groups. Many companies offer practical seminars at lunchtime. Libraries and bookstores offer learning experiences. You are only limited by your imagination!