Rick and Whitney  

Today we had a great show so I want to follow up with a simple resource guide that will give you some of the tools we discussed and the things you should consider when putting on your local event.

The plan:

What is the content? What info will be so compelling that people will want to give their time, money or both to come to your event.
Will you be doing it alone or partnering with other businesses? Go it alone and keep all the spoils for yourself.  Partner with other people and expand your possible reach
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What is your format?  Is it a workshop, seminar, lecture or something else entirely?

Length?  Don't make it too long or too short.  Keep your event to under 4 hours, serve food and drinks if is longer than 2 hours and build in refreshment/potty breaks.

Presenters.  Will you be delivering all the content or will you have compadres?  More talking heads is definitely better than one.

Marketing your event can be challenging:  Get a plan and stick to it.  Also use Eventbrite, it has everything you need to run an event including payments, badges and email marketing.

Local events can be a profit center or a great way to leverage you as an expert in your field.  Provide compelling content that is relevant and up to the minute and you will sell out your next event for sure.  Partner with other businesses, share mail lists, offset costs and get some new customers in 2009.