Speaking at Events: Hosting Your Own Client Gathering

One of the easiest ways to get started in your speaking career is to create your own opportunities by hosting an event yourself.

Unless event planning is your speciality you’ll probably want to keep things simple at this stage. Why not host a VIP gathering for your clients and their contacts?

Giving your event a VIP label will make your guests feel special and by allowing your clients to bring guests of their own their clients will feel special too. Meanwhile you’ll get to speak in front of an audience and grow your list at the same time.

When I first started in my speaking business I hosted a small gathering and spent $17 on nibbles and by presenting my offer made $795 in sales. The second event I ran I took it up a level, spent $350, invited more guests and made $10,000 in sales! If you keep it small and intimate there isn’t much planning involved either.

Let’s consider the process of hosting a client gathering:

• Guest list:
  • How many people are you going to invite?
  • Will you invite all of your clients or a selection of your best clients?
  • How about inviting the clients who have signed up to your list but have never bought from you?
• Content:
  • What are the solutions your guests are most in need of right now?
  • How can your offer help them to find the answers?
  • Will your presentation entertain or educate?
  • Are you intending to invite guest speakers too?
  • How about partnering with another speaker in a complementary niche and jointly hosting the event?



• Venue:
  • Now you know the number of guests you’ll be inviting and the type of content you want to deliver, do you know where you can host your gathering?
  • Your home can be great for small groups but not so good if you’re expecting a lot of guests. If you’re not comfortable inviting clients into your home, where could you hold your event instead?
  • Are you going to offer chips and dips or a larger selection of food?
• Your ‘no brainer’ offer:
  • It is important that you consider your audience when creating your offer. Think about the solutions you are presenting to your guests and ask yourself if what you are offering is going to compel them to take action.
• Invitations:
  • How are you going to invite your guests?
  • If you already have their mailing address you might like to create a personal invitation and mail it to them?
  • We don’t hand write much these days but isn’t it lovely when you pick up your mail to find a hand written envelope addressed to you? It always makes me smile.
  • You can invite your guests in an email if you really want to keep it simple or if you’re good with technology you might want to create a website invitation?
  • However you decide to invite your guests, your copy should be compelling and state the benefits of attending your gathering.

Why not make a definite plan to hold a client gathering soon? They are a great opportunity to connect with lots of fantastic people in a great environment that you’ve brought together. Plus you’ll get another chance to show off your speaking skills in front of an audience which is always a bonus.

Have you held a client gathering? Please leave me a comment-I’d love to hear your ideas and whether there was a particular element of your event that made it successful?