Hosting an educational event can be a great way for your company to showcase its expertise and to gain new leads. Here are my top three things for hosting an educational event that will draw a crowd.

1. Pick a Timely and/ or Popular Topic

One my of the best-attended events was about the 2018 Tax Laws for Small Businesses. Pick a topic that will help your customers and your target audience.

If you are a makeup artist, offer to do live tutorials with people you will pick from the audience. If you are a real estate agent, bring in a mortgage person to discuss lending. If you are a boutique, do a fashion show where you pick audience members to wear your clothes and show people how to dress for their success

2. Pick the Right Speakers

I encourage you to bring in guest speakers for your events. Your customers hear from you in your social media, blogs, etc. Bring in a new perspective for them. Consider who your customers would benefit hearing from and invite them to speak. I love to create panels with two or three speakers. It gives my audience multiple perspectives and allows for debate. The other reason to bring in guest speakers is that they come with their own following that you can then use as leads.

3. Pick the Right Time

Take a hard look at your target audience for the event. Do surveys and see when most people will be able to attend. The timing of your event can mean everything.

Is your target moms? Do not schedule during pick up time at school.
Is your target small businesses? After 6 pm may be a good target, or a 5 am breakfast before business starts.
When possible plan an event at least 5 weeks out. One week for you and the speakers decide on times and topics and then 4 weeks to promote the event.

I love using educational events to get a businesses name and expertise out into the community. They are an inexpensive way to reach your target audience.