I know the common phrase is “Those who can’t do, teach”, but I beg to differ. I believe those who can do, should teach. In a specific example for ServiceMagic contractors, I believe by teaching a free local seminar, you can gain a lot for your business. Let me explain why teaching will benefit your bottom line:
- Find target customers: Let your topic and the free insight into your work attract customers you wouldn’t find on your own.
- Create awareness of your full scope work: At the conclusion of the seminar, share what additional work or improvements you can offer. Leave business cards or flyers so that the attendees can follow up.
- Become a part of the community: By giving back to your community through this seminar, community members (potential customers) will take notice of your work where they might not have before.
Now that you know why it is beneficial to teach a local seminar, let me share exactly how to pull it off:
- Determine what you will teach: What is a small skill you can communicate to your audience? For example, how to work with a contractor or how to prepare your home for contract work. Or, you could teach a basic skill that will increase the lifetime of a part or service.
- Find a location for your seminar: Locally owned coffee shops are a personal favorite (as an entrepreneur I spend most time there so I’m biased). Also, libraries and community centers are always interested in ways to get new people in the door. Speak to a manager and share that you want to host a community oriented workshop that will increase the amount of people in their venue.
- Spread the word: Tell people about your seminar! Inform current and previous customers, local papers, and even community bloggers that you will be teaching a free seminar that might interest them. Print flyers and leave them in the host coffee shop, library or community center.
- Follow up: You’re seminar was a success! What now? Send an email to all the attendees thanking them for attending and letting them know about your additional services and ways to help them. You never know who could become your next customer.
Hopefully this makes you think about how you can get involved in your community, teach a seminar, and gain new business. Remember, by doing good in your community your business can do even better. Also remember, those who can, need to teach.
Brittanyis founder and CEO of Zealous Good, a web-based service that helps individuals and businesses find local non-profit organizations who need their surplus goods and services. Check out the website, follow Zealous Good on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t forget, leading a seminar, speaking in the community and teaching your audience also positions you as an expert. That positioning will lead to future referrals to you down the line. Even if someone doesn’t attend your seminar, they’ll remember you had one and who doesn’t love to be able to recommend an expert?
Good article, Brittany!
Great point, Ted. Thanks for sharing and reading the blog!