Why And How To Host A Digital Workshop As A Small Business
Marketing your small business is so important for long-term success. But if you’re just starting out, you might have a marketing budget of $0—how are you supposed to find clients without a lot of resources?
In-person meetings and events used to be great tools for generating leads, but the pandemic means those strategies are off the table for a while. Fortunately, you can still tap into the power of in-person meetups without the germs thanks to digital workshops.
Why should I host a virtual workshop?
You need to foster human connections to bring customers to your small business. Online workshops fill that gap, especially during COVID-19.
We know you have a lot on your plate right now, but hosting a virtual workshop is a brilliant way to find customers right now. We love virtual workshops because:
They’re cheap! You probably already have a Zoom subscription, right? That’s really all you need to get started. There’s no need to buy snacks or pay for a venue when you host a digital workshop.
You can expand your reach: Digital workshops aren’t limited to one geographical area. Invite potential customers from China or Australia to hop on your workshop. If you’re trying to grow at a global level, online workshops are key.
They’re repeatable: You don’t have to do the workshop just one time. You can offer the same workshop multiple times a year to different people.
They give you a new revenue stream: Some business owners give workshops away for free as a lead magnet, but they can also be a source of revenue for your business.
3 tips to jumpstart your next online workshop
If you don’t have any virtual workshops in your pipeline, now’s the time to plan some! Follow these quick tips to set up your first online workshop for success.
Tip #1: Get the right tech stack
You need technology to do your virtual workshop right. At a minimum, you need video conferencing software like Zoom.
If you’re looking for fancier tools, try GoToMeeting, SkypeForBusiness, or other paid resources. Yes, they cost more money, but they come chock-full of features that make online events much more engaging and fun.
Tip #2: Promote yourself like crazy
Let everyone know about your event to drum up attendance. That means promoting yourself in places like:
Facebook events
Meet.com
Local newspapers (they usually publish a digital events list)
Your local chamber of commerce
University business resource centers
Tip #3: Partner up
Nervous about going solo? You don’t have to host a virtual workshop by yourself. Try partnering up with a complementary business. For example, if you’re a marketing consultant, you might partner with a web developer to host a workshop about business websites.
A partnership splits the work, puts the workshop in front of double the people, and gives you the opportunity to rake in more leads.
The bottom line
Your customers are probably feeling social media or email fatigue. By all means, continue selling yourself online, but don’t overlook strategies like virtual workshops. They’re key to establishing authority, bringing in new customers, and making the best of what’s been a difficult year for small businesses.