Paul McKey - Synergistic Design

I regularly present my current thinking at self-promoted seminars. And almost invariably, someone, usually a business owner, will ask me what I achieve from this activity. Since I am a consultant who doesn’t sell anything, except time and expertise, that is a fair question. And the answer is quite a lot!

I have just completed a seminar titled “Business Success with eLearning” in two cities on consecutive days. As always I learnt as much as I informed. Standing in front of an eclectic crowd of your peers can be a very resourceful , humbling and rewarding experience.

Resourceful in that you typically have a broad audience who have identified your seminar as one which interests them enough to invest time and go out of their way to attend your talk. While some of them will match your intended audience most will be on the fringes of your topic. Watching their reactions, hearing their comments and reading their evaluations is a truly educational experience providing informed market research you could well pay thousands of dollars for.

Knowing about these fringe dwellers and what their interest in you and your product or services is can be incredibly informative. Preaching to the converted will tell you little yet by convincing the fringe dwellers of your worth you will expand your networks and markets.

Humbling in that exposing your ideas to others is always an anxious experience yet one you should go through regularly. A seminar is an opportunity to test ideas and insights in public. Not everyone will agree with you but just the sheer act of exposure allows ideas to take on a life of their own which may result in unknown benefits in the future. I have had clients contact me months, even years, after one of my talks to let me know they have been chewing on something I said and now want to implement, act on, or discuss the idea further.

Remember even the great ideas don’t always get total acceptance first time around. Yet if your ideas are not aired they may well die with you. And you don’t want humanity to suffer like that, do you?

Rewarding is the only way to describe the experience you get for going through the hard work and anxiety involved in the delivery of a successful and popular seminar. Not the least because for an hour or two your ideas, products and services and personal character are all centre stage for your audience. If you treat them to a well organised event with a topical subject they will reward you with undivided attention and a critical ear. Provide regular elements of interaction and discussion in your format and you will get the added benefit of their expertise and contribution to your ideas. Yes people will be adding to and improving your ideas.

Ironically the inclusion of interactivity takes the pressure off you and adds variety to your event. People love to contribute. Give them the floor and facilitate a vibrant and intelligent discussion and your audience will come away enlightened and enthused. And once again it will be your ideas that sparked their fire.

So do it. Go ahead and plan a simple breakfast or evening get together. Provide an easy to access venue and some refreshments. Send the invitation to your mailing list with a catchy title and let them know what they will get out of attending. Whether you are selling, consulting or just airing ideas you feel passionate about, using seminars to launch those insights is a fast and valuable way to achieve credibility, enhance your own knowledge and ensure the world gets to hear about about you and what you have to offer. Good luck!