There isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question. BUT, you do have to decide. It will set the mood for the entire event.

I do events that are very hands on and “get it done” oriented. Having a formal event would defeat my purposes. It would make people constrained to relax and get to work.

If you do an event that is geared to a very affluent group and has to do with a sensitive topic like money, it MAY be wise to consider doing a formal event.

What does that term mean? It has to do with both how people are dressed as well the way you to talk to and interact with your attendees. For some topics people will feel more comfortable with a more formal approach.

Think about this early in your event. After you decide it will dramatically affect the approach you take. Make an incorrect choice here and you risk having the folks at the event feel uncomfortable.

This isn’t the MOST important element of doing a seminar, but it is significant enough to give consideration.

It’s something EXTRA. Unannounced and unexpected.

People always like little positive surprises like this. I suggest you do the same. Find one or two things of fairly decent value to GIVE people that you did NOT promise.

Those from Louisiana call this LAGNIAPPE.

It’s not just a good idea in Louisiana, it’s a good idea anytime you do a seminar or event of any kind.

The solution for any savvy seminar promoter is to make sure that their are mics in the audience for people to use for their questions.

When the events first start, you’ll have to TRAIN people to wait for the mic before they start asking the question. Within a very short period of time, everyone will know that they should wait until they get a hold of the mic before they start firing their questions at you.

When you have a decent size group of people at one of your events, you’ll want to get some hand held wireless mics for this purpose.

Corded mis will work fine, but you’ll have to set them up on a stand on one or both sides of the room and then ask people to “go to the mic” when they have a question.

Either way you do it, make SURE that you get anyone asking a question ON MIC. If not, all of your participants AT the event and those listening to the recordings will be FRUSTRATED.

Here are few things you must do if you are going to use OUTSIDE speakers:

1. See them speak. I don’t care how good they look on paper, make sure you see them SPEAK. Preferably live. They can always make themselves look good on paper.
2. Ask for references. Sounds obvious, but very few people do it. DO IT.
3. Give them the rules of the game for you/your event and make them SIGN a written agreement. I had a guy promote a competing piece of software at MY event. I almost pulled him off stage.
4. Review what they will pitch and what the price points are. Make sure they are in line with what you or the other speakers will be promoting/selling.
5. Go with your gut. If they don’t feel like the right match, don’t use them.

Do these 5 things and you’re on the right track.

This is not just about YOU making money. Sure, that’s important, but you’ll make plenty of money by making sure that you serve those who attend your events.

What makes the most sense for your particular event? Is it suited to a LARGE space or would it be better to charge MORE per head and do the event in a smaller space.

At large events, you’ll probably make more on registration dollars, but I’ve had MUCH BETTER success in converting those who attended my smaller events into solid, long term consulting and coaching clients.

Bigger is NOT always better when it comes to doing seminars.

I have a number of clients who will be providing me with some very good long term revenue who came to a smaller event to start.

If they had been at one of my larger events, I would NOT have been able to build a relationship the same way and I suspect it would not have worked out as well.

There is a place for events both LARGE and SMALL when you do seminars!

This will help.

Make sure and thank people for coming and give them your full attention for a SHORT period of time. There will be those who want to get some individual coaching done at that time.

Let them know that you’ll be happy to speak with them more at a later date, after you’ve said HI to everyone else in the group. MOST will understand.

Getting to know a percentage of your audience is good for them and for you.

It will help you be LESS nervous when you get started and will establish a greater level of trust for later on.

There are many “gurus” who don’t do this. They stay SEQUESTERED somewhere in a back room until the moment before the event is supposed to start.

I suppose this is a matter of personal style, but this just doesn’t work for me.

If you like people and you’re prepared to deliver a lot of valuable content, do what I say to do here.

I often threaten to cut off people’s ties if they show up wearing one at my events. That usually serves to make the point.

My primary concern when people are at my events is to give them the GREATEST AMOUNT OF LEARNING that time will allow. I suggest you adopt the same philosophy.

If you do your events at hotels, remember that the temperature is often unpredictable. That’s why I always encourage people to wear COMFORTABLE clothing and to make sure they bring a coat or sweater JUST IN CASE.

There have been few times when doing an event that the temperature has been “just right”. Even at a Ritz Carlton hotel!

I suggest you make sure your events are geared to learning and don’t turn into FASHION SHOWS.

Make this clear with any and all of your promotional material!

You can NEVER make everyone happy!

That being said, there is only ONE really good reason to do this. TIME!

Trying to get people back to your seminar room after lunch is like herding cats.

If you’re doing a relatively pricey seminar where food cost doesn’t become a big deal, then go ahead and do it. IF you go that route, make sure and provide people with at least 2 or 3 choices at the meals. Always make one a vegetarian.

Better yet, do a buffet. You can get them through the line quickly and back to their tables for a “working lunch.”

Most of my events that are either 1 or 2 day seminars I do NOT provide food. I DO tell people to grab a quick sandwich and come back to the room for a “bonus” session.

This usually works. Try it yourself!

The reason for using something other than a hotel will be because:

1. It fits what you are doing.
2. It’s cheaper.

If you are doing a workshop on Filmmaking, it would make a lot of sense to do it at a movie theatre.

Many of the movie theatres will rent you their space. Particularly in the mornings when they aren’t showing films.

If you’re doing a program about how to do TV interviews, it makes sense for you to try and hold them in a TV studio if at all possible.

You get my drift!

As far as getting a less expensive facility there are many places that will be able to rent you space. Churches are always a possibility.

The best way to find “cheap” space is to ask around.

Some cities like NYC have spaces that are used specifically for this purpose. I use a place called the New York seminar Center. They are cheaper than a hotel and do a lot of events.

Just remember, hotels are NOT your only option!

People have gotten fairly used to video conferencing and they will be delighted to hear from a knowledgeable expert in the topic that you choose.

To make this work best, do the following:

1. Make sure you TEST the equipment in advance.
2. Make sure you have your time zones right.
3. If the presenter has an offer, make sure that you have an affiliate code built in to the domain name he/she gives out
4. Make sure that the placement of this person’s material makes sense at your event.
5. Make sure that they don’t do a mere PRODUCT PITCH.

These are five of the most important things you’ll need remember when inviting someone to come in as a guest at your event via Skype or Phone.

Doing it is a great idea to provide good, high quality content and break up the monotony of doing the entire event yourself.