Holding Workshops on a Shoestring Budget

Why You Should Hold Workshops

I came across an interesting article by Anastasia Casey over at Belong Magazine. She was quite eloquent concerning the reasons you should be holding workshops even if you are on a shoestring budget. Perhaps the most striking reason she gave was the instant professional credibility it can provide. In fact, monetary gains are actually one of the lesser factors you should be aiming for. Brand Awareness is important for you as a person, just as it is for a business. Workshops can increase the awareness of your skills, knowledge and/or products like no other tool.

In fact, there have been reams of material written on how to conduct workshops in any number of fields or topics. Of course, no workshop can disguise a lack of knowledge or skills on your part. You need to know what you are talking about before you can sell the idea or product to someone else. That, however, is not the focus of this article. How to PAY for holding a workshop is our topic today.

I’m Just Starting My Workshops

Ok, so the paragraph title is code for “I’m broke”. I think we can all identify with that situation. You are caught in the age-old business conundrum: Spending money to make money.

You are good at what you do. The product or service you sell is game-changing. You need to establish yourself in the business world. All or any of these may apply to you. You can’t afford a venue space to conduct your workshops or printing the handout materials or snacks or advertising or…well you get the idea. You could take out a personal loan or max a credit card IF you can. There is no question that often you need to spend money to make money. The message of this article is: Think Outside The Box when it comes to workshop expenses.

Get Creative

There are numerous expenses involved in workshop presentations. Venue rental, handout materials, refreshments, and advertising are just a few. Regardless, the key to outside funding for them is to take each need individually. You can then apply any or all of the following ideas specifically to filling that need.

• Offer one or more raffle prizes and sell drawing tickets for them at the workshop.
• Advertise space for or vendor tables at the venue during your workshop at a small cost to the vendors.
• Offer sponsor advertising at your workshop in exchange for printing services or refreshments.
• Partner with someone who compliments your business and share the venue/expense with them. A Real Estate Agent and a Title company is a good example.
• Charge a small attendance fee that is refunded if a sale is made.
• Create PDF’s of information and resources that you can sell for a nominal fee.

These are just a few examples to get you thinking…outside the box. If you do have to shell out some hard cash, make sure it will provide a return on investment. If whatever you are buying or paying for does not enhance your reputation, your credibility or your revenues…just say no.

The Beacon Center Understands

We started out as an unknown as well. We understand what it takes to get a business off the ground and the importance of reputation and credibility. You can rest assured you will receive all that and more if you choose us as your workshop location. We have a bright, clean and affordable venue for all your event needs. In addition, our owner Becky Stonebarger is a bit of a master at creative funding and attendance ideas, so give us a call or visit our website and see how The Beacon Center can become your workshop headquarters.

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