Mic check! is this thing on?

If there is one thing that I have learned in my 14 years as an entrepreneur it’s that hustle is a key ingredient in your recipe for success.  However, it’s not the ONLY ingredient.  Hustle will build momentum, create opportunity, and will generate creativity, but creating a sustainable process and operation is the ULTIMATE goal.
 
The best part of owning a business is that once you streamline your process and build your systems, you own those ideas to leverage your knowledge as a revenue generator too.

Ahh… imagine that! You get to step away from the hustle and share tips, techniques, and system hacks to help others. I know, the initial thought of selling my wisdom made me feel all slimy and “salesy” too… Until I did it. I found out that I enjoy helping others  and I get the re-live all the lessons that I’ve learned to remind me how far I have come in my beginning hustle.
 
After I perfected my delivery, I actually enjoyed being able to answer questions and teach people the things I wish I’d known starting out and staying a float for many years.  So, that is why when I am in the off season of the busy event industry, I coach and mentor entrepreneurs at all levels. As the saying goes, “you don’t know, what you don’t know".
 
In this digital age, there are many ways of stepping up your hustle, but you have to be careful not to do too much and overwhelm your base of supporters and potential customers.
 
I mean, for goodness sake, you can literally reach millions around the world with only a smart phone and that’s great. However, the downside to that is  you can mess up and have it noted forever in the cyber world – around the world.  I know. No one is perfect and you have to be authentic, and real in your teaching of others, but you can also be prepared with an intentional strategy.  For example, if you have a specialized service or skill, hone in on how you deliver or provide it. Outline why you choose your particular method, and determine what steps you would pursue to teach someone what you know.  From there, make a plan to share a few resources, fine tooth your flow, and get out there.  A world of opportunity awaits and the world needs your knowledge. Mic Check. Mic Check.  It’s time to speak up and show up. The bigger question is WHY WON'T YOU?
 
I know we have some skeptics out there or this may be the first time you’ve checked out my blog or podcast. So, I like to first tell you how I arrived at these tips I’m sharing so that you can feel more comfortable with me as a qualified person to give you advice.
 
About 3 years ago, I didn’t really look forward to going LIVE ON AIR and talking to people about what I did unless we had a real relationship with them. I didn’t take the opportunity to engage new audiences. Hell, I barely engaged the people I knew.   Being totally honest, I have to say that I have not taken full advantage of “Going Live” on the web and social media platforms either because I feel that the market is full of people who are just “talking” or manipulating their views into a money grab.  So, I am much more comfortable with the old fashioned face to face human connection and sharing approach with people who want the info and trust me to share with them.  I am a hustler – busy bee by nature – and hands on learner. So, I figured that others had to be out there like me who needed an up close and personal tutorial and 1 on 1 conversation to feel empowered or motivated with simple, and practical steps. But I found myself not being able to commit to this sharing and connection stuff when I still had a whole family, life and business to run.
 
Though, that is when I took my coaching techniques and philosophies to an online Podcast Show called “Process Pro Radio”, and started a local free workshop tour in Texas.  On the show, I share my testimony, free content, applicable tips, resources, lessons learned and create a space for people to talk and share.  And, while, it’s totally FREE, I benefit greatly by meeting new people and generating referrals for some of my other business endeavors. I also just love to do it. 
 
So, whether you are interested in exploring new ways to connect with people, finding new collaborators, or creating spaces to share what you do, these tips outlined below could get you going in the right direction to step up your hustle strategy.
 
Now, let’s get in to some quick hacks that will help you expand your hustle and introduce some possible new revenue streams using just your knowledge.
 
For starters, planning and hosting a live event provides opportunities to earn revenue.  You can make money on ticket sales, t-shirts, and premium swag, books, advanced product sales, and even pre-sale tickets for future events. In addition, you can sell recordings of the event itself to attendees and non-attendees alike.
 
Making the most of your event’s earning power does take a bit of planning, though.
 
Collect Leads – Be sure all your promotions are designed to collect leads. You can do so with online forms, blog posts, newsletter subscriptions, or email RSVP.

Segment Leads – Separate those who bought tickets or RSVP from those who did not. You can still market to the people who did not show interest in the event and maybe offer them a free webinar or other resource. Remember, people who don’t attend events may be interested in other things leading up to the event as well as after, such as sponsorship opportunities, vendor stations, and future joint ventures.

Seek Sponsorships – Believe it or not, small and large businesses alike are happy to sponsor a well-planned event. Even smaller events can attract great sponsors. The important thing is to show what you can offer in terms of return on investment. In other words, “what’s in it for them?”

Event Recordings – Both those who attend the event as well as those who did not will enjoy the ability to purchase audio or video recordings. You can sell them less expensively to those who were present, or offer them as an incentive to purchase tickets early. Afterwards, market the recordings to those who weren’t able to attend live.

Workshop Recordings – If your event has workshops with limited seating or which run simultaneously, people will miss some of the workshops in person. Selling mini recordings will solve the problem of some attendees not being able to go a particular workshop.

Checklists, Tools & Premiums – Help attendees and others to get the most out of your event by offering checklists, tools and other additional materials. Even items that just help them remember, such as t-shirts, mugs and pictures sell well.

Follow Up – Don’t stop when the event is done, send follow ups to everyone including those who did and did not attend. Everyone should be sent immediate notification of future events or products and services related to the event.
 
Events can keep earning long after the venue is cleaned up and the lights have been turned off. In fact, with event recordings you can earn an income from the event years down the road by repurposing the recordings, products and tools in a variety of ways.
 
Remember the word “event” is just a planned program or opportunity that you can provide. This can be as small as a FREE conference call, a facebook live broadcast, a webinar, a meet up, a book signing, a lunch gathering and more.  So, don’t let the event planning component deter you from creating FREE ways to leverage your knowledge.  Can you hear me? Can I get A Mic Check ? Your voice has power and can be profitable.
 
As always, I am here to help you align your purpose with your process at the #ProcessPro Entrepreneur Coach and support all of your event productions needs with  Esyntial Elements Consulting Inc.