Workshops

I have a friend who is a freelance writer and media consultant. From time to time he puts on a workshop for business people. He calls it: How to Write Press Releases and Get Free Media Coverage. He limits enrolment to 12 people. The charge is £50 per person. He spends an afternoon explaining the art of writing press releases. He doesn't just talk. He makes them work! He requires each participant to write at least two press releases, and then he gives them each a one-on-one critique. He sends them home with some model press releases and a format they can use to write future releases. I said: "That's a nice way to make £600 for an afternoon's work." He agreed, but then added: "I don't do it for the £600. I do it for the business it generates for me." Explaining, he said at least one, and sometimes several of the workshop members inevitably come back to hire him for writing projects: business plans, company year-end reports, grant writing, advertising copy, direct mail pieces, and even press releases. "I don't think I've ever generated less than £10,000 in new business every time I put on my little workshop."

Think about that. This man gets PAID £600 to get thousands of pounds in future business! He doesn't PAY £600 for an ad - he COLLECTS £600 to get all the business he can handle! Indeed, he never gives his workshop more than once a year. That would generate more customers than he could ever serve!

Does this give you an idea about what a workshop can do for your business? Workshops can work for not only a professional consultant like Ken, but can work for any business. The owner of a hobby shop can conduct a workshop on kite building or model rocketry. The owner of a sporting goods store can give a workshop on fly fishing. A health food store owner can conduct a workshop on vegetarian cooking. It's fun, it generates new clients, and brings people back to your place of business for sales!

So try a workshop. It's simply a fantastic way to generate new business!

Brainstorm 18

Continue reading here: TV infomercials

Was this article helpful?