This is one question that goes on in the mind of every seminar host. After spending every waking hour researching you don’t want to address a turn out, who are more interested in their Blackberries. “I remember my last seminar on global warming was a complete wash out. I knew that I’d wasted my time when someone from the audience asked then whys is it so cold outside” huffs Denise, an environmentalist who conducts seminars regularly.
It is not the ticket sales that matter
Well it does but it is not the be all and end all of a seminar. A lot many seminar hosts have no idea who their audiences are. To avoid comments that will make you stare at your shoes, mention every detail about your seminar, in your invite specifically. Innovative taglines and intrigue are in but to get the crowd you want include what your seminar is all about. A packed hall is great but people who are genuinely interested in what you have to say, is even better.
Everybody hates a talkathon
No matter how magnetic a speaker is it can be boring to watch someone speak without any interlude. It needn’t be cutting edge technology you need to adopt. Just smart looking PowerPoint slides would do. Instead of the regular ppt templates, design a unique presentation yourself. Add recent statistics as nothing can perk up interest more than “a recently concluded study”!
Follow up
You speak, you engage, and try to be warm and funny. But if you are going to disappear into thin air the minute your seminar is over, don’t expect a loyal crowd for your next seminar. People like feeling special. Just a small thank you message from a nearby departmental store is enough to make people happy. And it is easy to guess where they’d shop the next time around. It is the same for seminars. Send a transcript of the seminar with a small thank you note. It is in all probability the easiest way to be sure you’ve created an impact with your seminar.
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