How to Host Your Own Conference For Little or No Money- Part One
Aloha everyone! Can you believe we have less than two months left in 2014? As we end this year, now is the perfect time to start planning for 2015. My hope is that you’re planning to create freedom in every area of your life in 2015. I want to help.
For the rest of this year, I’ll be writing about some things to help you create that freedom. I’m going to give you everything that’s helped me lose 170 pounds, quit a job I hated, and move our family to Maui, Hawaii. Let’s start with how to host your own conference affordably or for FREE!
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In the paid speaking world there are three ways to make money. The first one is speaking at conferences. When we think of a “conference”, we think of an event like New Media Expo. However, these big events *usually* do not pay speakers. Because they’re so popular, many speakers gladly come and speak for free.
If you want to make money speaking at conferences, your best bet is to speak at the conferences of industry associations. These industries could be healthcare, lawyers, auto, and so on. Speaking for these associations doesn’t mean you have to talk about their industry. You can talk about topics to help their industry, and these are the topics they want to learn more about.
I used to live in Milwaukee; Wisconsin, which is next door to a huge speaking market, Chicago. I would regularly travel to Chicago to speak to healthcare professionals about how to better use social media, and I got paid a pretty penny to do it. Research the industry association meetings where you live, and send them a pitch. Those associations have plenty of money to pay you to speak. We’ll get into this later in the month.
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The second way to book paid speaking is consulting at companies. Since I have written a lot about this, I won’t talk about it here. You can see that series here.
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The third way to book paid speaking is what I want this series to be about, hosting your own event.
Why your own event?
Hosting your own conference is the ultimate goal of any speaker. You bring people to your event where you control everything. You have a chance to make money, and even more money, by selling your products and services.
First, reframe what you think of as a conference. When we say that word “conference” we think of some large event like New Media Expo. Instead, think of your conference as a one or multiple day training event.
In this one-day training, you will teach how to do what you do, or the process you use for what you do. You can even make this a multiple day event where you give them a wealth of actionable material. Since this is training, your goal should not be to get 500 people. You’re looking more in the 50 range. You want this to be intimate so people see the value, and you can control it the crowd.
The cost
First, find a place to have the event. My first one-day training was at a local hotel in Milwaukee. It cost me $95 to rent a conference room that came equipped with a pulpit, wireless microphone system, chairs, tables, and everything else I needed.
Search around where you live for a place to rent that’s affordable and central. You might even be able to negotiate the rate by bartering, or offering free advertising for that place. Check Craigslist or even put out your own ad. You’ll be surprised how cheaply you can find a place to use.
You have the choice whether or not to offer lunch at your event, if you do, increase the price. At my first event I had Cousins party subs and chips. For the one-day training I charged $97. The material taught attendees how to start an online business. It was from 9 am to 5 pm.
I got 10 people at the event. I grossed $970 and paid $257 for these expenses: food, room, flyers, Facebook ads, local paper ad, and juice. Got to have the juice. Right?
We will get to the free part in the next post, but even if you have to pay, this could be very cost-effective. If you hosted an event, and it cost you $200 in expenses, all you would need is three people and you’re profitable! Can you get three people? I’m very confident you can.
This will be the end of part one. Come back Tuesday and we’ll continue, and get to the free part…
What will you train on at your first event?
This week’s articles:
5 Reasons Why Online Entrepreneurs Need to Look Beyond the Numbers
Entrepreneur Magazine
4 Ways Guys Can Live a Happier Life
The Good Men Project
