Social Media Marketing: How I Earned $600 in Less Than an Hour Hosting Social Media Workshops

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November 1, 2011

The following is a guest post by Nina Lewis

Let’s face it — social media is time consuming, especially if you’re a Social Media Manager handling multiple accounts.   It seems like there are never enough hours in the day to get all the work done.  But, it’s a service that can add thousands of dollars a year to a freelance writer’s bottom line.

And, what if I told you there is a way you can make $600 in less than an hour by teaching instead of doing?   Well, now you can! 

Why not host a live social media workshop and train people how to do social media themselves?  

3 Reasons Freelance Writers Can/Should Host Social Media Workshops

Hosting them live is great because:

  • You get  to train many people at one time  
  • You position yourself as an expert 
  • You increase your bottom-line by upselling clients on your other services (eg, SEO article writing)

However, not all workshops are a like; you have to have a formula and strategy that will make your workshop a success. 

7 Steps to Hosting a Successful Social Media Workshop

social-media-ebook-coverFollowing are seven steps to hosting a successful social media workshop.  We’re going to assume that you already have or can easily find a location/classroom.

Step 1: Host a Mini-Networking Section. Business owners love to network, more importantly, they love to market their business.   Chances are the attendees are not going to know each other, and they will want to pass out their business cards and give their 30-second elevator speech. 

Allow them to do this, and watch connections being made.  As the host, you always go last, and then go into your curriculum and some housekeeping rules. (The bathroom, courtesy of others, etc.).

Step 2: Have a Sign-up Sheet. A sign-up sheet serves many purposes.   For starters, it allows you to compare how many people showed up opposed to how many people RSVP‘d.   

If you’re anything like me, I get scared to remind people to pay me (I’m getting better at it though).  It never fails, when people start signing their name, they say, “Oh, I need to pay you! Who do I make the check out to?”

This helps me avoid not being too salesy.  

The sign-up sheet is also a good way to follow-up with clients after your workshop.  Make sure you get their name, email address and how they heard about you on the sign-up sheet. 

This way when you schedule your follow-up calls, and you don’t have to be scurrying around looking for papers and wondering who actually attended.

Step 3: Have a Handout. There’s nothing more frustrating than delivering great information, only to discover that no one is listening because they are on their Blackberry or laptop doing something else.

You may be wondering, “Why I care, especially after I already received their money?”

Namely, because you don’t want to repeat yourself.  Imagine telling people what social media is all about, showing them, ingraining it in their brains, and then have them still go, “Huh.”

Not because they don’t understand, but they weren’t listening! 

You want everyone who comes to your class to get value and profitable results.  And they can’t do that if they are pre-occupied with the latest tech gadget.  That’s why it’s important to have a handout to keep them engaged and have their undivided attention. 

I take it a step further and have them fill in the blanks. 

My workshops are very interactive, so I will usually ask a question on the handout, and then ask: “Does anyone want to take a shot at the answer?”

It’s fun because it gets their brains thinking and they are actively participating in the class.

Workshop Preparation Tip: If your budget allows, present their handouts in an attractive folder, along with a pen, and your business card.  I did exactly that and my students went crazy over it! Plus it makes you appear more professional and organized, and it gives them something to take home to remember you by.

Step 4: Lead the Class. If you are very reserved and shy like me, it may difficult for you to take control over your class.  What do I mean by this?

There will always be a “know-it-all”, and “I want to talk about my business”, and an off-topic kind of person at your workshop. While these people are great, they don’t need to show their expertise in your class. 

You have other students who paid to get good information from you, and you don’t want to take that away from them.  I just hosted my 10th social media workshop, and I’ve learned how to be assertive, yet polite. 

When someone starts cutting into your training time, you can politely say, “Thanks for sharing, we would love to hear more about you, but our time is limited.  I really want to deliver the information that everyone paid for.  If we have more time at the end, I would love for you to continue.”

Nine times out of ten, they will quiet down and listen.  And, if they don’t like it: kick them out!  Luckily, I have never had to do this, and I hope I never will. 

Remember, YOU are the expert.  Attendees came to hear you, and no one else!  So show your students that you’re in control and they will have more respect for you.

Step 5: Make an offer — always ask for the sale. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive.

When I first started doing my workshops, I would never ask for the sale, and then wonder why I didn’t get any new clients.   The last few workshops I hosted, I started asking for the sales.

Surprise, surprise, I landed a three-month contract that is valued at $1,000 and they paid me a $300 dollar “retainer” right on the spot — immediately after the workshop. 

Add to that the $300 I collected from the 10 participants and that’s $600 in less than an hour for a some pretty easy work!

If you are shy about asking for the sale, here’s a tip I’ve tried that works — attach your offer(s) to the back of the handout, and tell your students to flip to that page and go over your service offerings with them. 

Some will sign up right away, others will have to go and speak to their business partners/bosses. Some will just need more time to process the information they’ve received.   

Remember, different people learn at different levels.

Step 6: Follow up. Have you ever heard the expression, “The fortune is in the follow up?”

About 1-5 days after your class, pull out your sign-up sheet and start calling away.  Notice, I didn’t say email, I said call.   By calling you:

  • Give a more personal touch;
  • Get a chance to hear raw feedback; and
  • Get a chance to upsell

Usually when I follow-up, I say something like: 

 Hi Susie:

This is Nina following up with you to see how you enjoyed the class.  Do you have any questions, comments, or concerns?  I understand people learn at different levels.  That’s why I would like to invite you to a private 1-on-1 session with me to clarify any questions you may have.     

I used to offer these follow-up strategy sessions for free, but I charge for them now.   My time is valuable and a lot of the people I attract need a lot of guidance.

7. Celebrate your Success! I know this is where a lot of us miss the mark.  We don’t take credit and give ourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. 

It doesn’t matter if you didn’t make a dime from your workshop.  What matters is, you conquered your fears and took action.  Stepping out of your comfort zone to get the desired lifestyle you want takes a lot of guts! 

Many people say they will do what it takes, but when showtime comes, they chicken out!  So, celebrate the fact that you took action.   And, you don’t have to spend money either.  

Celebrating can be posting pictures of your workshop on your social media networks, writing in your success journal, calling a best friend, jumping up and down with joy.

If you’re like me, you will probably want to splurge a bit.  Get a nice massage, go dancing, or buy a new dress!  Now, there you have it — 7 Steps to Hosting a Successful Social Media Workshop.

About the Author: Nina Lewis is a social media and SEO writing expert. She is the co-author of The Social Media Marketing Bible for Freelance Writers: How to Earn Thousands in Additional Income by Offering Social Media Marketing to Existing Clients.


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