Seminars and workshops have been the cornerstone of new business for many in the financial industry. A room full of engaged prospects, ready and willing to hear how you can help them reach their goals can create multiple opportunities. Then the Covid-19 pandemic pulled the rug out from underneath this valuable marketing tactic.
More than a year later, many parts of the country are slowly getting back to the “old normal” way of doing things. As restrictions continue to loosen, in-person seminars are becoming a possibility again. But can we conduct them in the same way we did pre-covid?
The safe answer is no. While more and more people have received the vaccine, some are still, and will likely remain to be, hesitant to attend events of any kind. These consumers are still attainable via the digital means we’ve been using over the last year. However, in-person seminars can be much more effective than the virtual alternative. The key right now is to make sure your prospects know they can safely attend.
Scaled Down Seminars
The venue you used before the pandemic – a restaurant, community center, conference room, etc. – may not be available right now. Or it’s operating at limited capacity. Look for a venue with enough space to maintain social distancing. The size of the venue is going to determine the number of people who can attend. A safe rule of thumb is to keep attendance to half capacity. If the venue seats 50, limit your capacity to 25. You won’t reach as many people during the event, but you will send a message that their safety matters first and foremost.
Follow Protocols
Different communities/counties have different restrictions in place concerning mass gatherings. For many of you, face coverings and capacity limits will be a requirement. Other areas have little to no restrictions on events. This is where it can best to air on the side of caution and follow CDC protocols. This means encouraging the use of face coverings, socially distanced seating, and provide hand sanitizer.
Offer a Hybrid Alternative
The hybrid approach has been gaining quite a bit of traction lately. After a year of Zoom meetings and webinars, people have grown accustom to the virtual landscape. While many are comfortable with re-entering the physical world and attending events, others aren’t. This is where you should consider offering the best of both worlds. With a simple cell phone and tripod set up, you can present your in-person seminar to an online audience. You won’t get the same high-level engagement with your online viewers, but sending a video link to those who don’t feel comfortable with attending live can be a good opportunity for future appointments.
Other Considerations
There are several things to consider when planning a seminar in the new normal. First off, make sure your marketing content mentions that you’ll be adhering to the aforementioned safety protocols. This will set the minds of potential attendees at ease and avoid any questions about the matter.
Also, consider the event itself. Are dinner seminars still a viable option? Should you book more than one night? Should you even hold a seminar in the first place? These are all important questions to ask. IAMS can help answer them. Our Evolve Seminar Solutions program is your new way of event marketing. Evolve was designed for seminar marketing in the new normal. Benefits include:
- A more enriched and intimate experience
- Reduced cost and logistics when compared to traditional workshops
- Guarantees on registrations and attendees
- Can be employed to meet COVID-19 safety guidelines (dependent on state guidelines, community restrictions, and other factors)
Fill out the form below for details on the Evolve Seminar Solutions program.
