Virtual Event Success

In a previous blog post, I shared the reason why you may be disappointed by the number of people who sign up for your virtual event through your emails.

One of the ways to increase email open rates from the industry standard of 17% is to create subject lines that prompt the person to take interest in reading your email.

So, I went into my shopping cart and looked at every broadcast email that has been sent to my list since 2007. I pulled the subject lines from emails that had an open rate of 17% or more. Here’s what I found:

Instructions

• How to Write an Earthshattering Episode Title (Part 1) (27% open rate)
• The 4 Quickest Ways to Lose Friends Online (27% open rate)
• My Mother’s Stress-Free Christmas Tree (There’s a Biz Lesson, I Promise) (18% open rate)
• Why Mistakes Happen, Reason #2 (this is a biggie) (17% open rate)
• Why Mistakes Happen, Reason #1 (vid enclosed) (17% open rate)
• Why you’re making mistakes in your virtual support business (19% open rate)
• Read This If You’re a VA, OBM, VES, MP or PM (18% open rate)

Numbers

• 3 Pitfalls of Social Media Traffic (20% open rate)
• 5 Ways to Attract Leads Using Social Media (19% open rate)
• The 7 Common Social Media Mistakes (22% open rate)
• 5 Ways to Market Your Virtual Event So It Sells-Out (18% open rate)
• 7 Quick Online Content Ideas (18% open rate)

Questions

• Can You Boost Your Business Hosting Virtual Events? (18% open rate)
• Are You In? (21% open rate)

Absolutes

• Why You Should Never Outsource Your Social Media Tasks (22% open rate)
• Why You Should Always Record Everything You Do or Say (27% open rate)

Checklists

• Your Social Media Outsourcing Checklist (20% open rate)

Miscellaneous

• I was hoping to meet you… (19% open rate)

Feel free to model the subject lines above for the emails that you’ll send out to your list regarding your upcoming virtual event, telesummit or video summit. I also recommend that you get on the lists of the following people so you can see good email subject lines in action – Callan Rush, Milana Leshinsky, Lisa Sasevich, Sean D’Souza.

One of my favorite coaches and good friend, Louise Crooks, asked me some questions about telesummits. With her permission, I recorded a portion of our conversation to make it available to you.

Here are the questions Louise asked me:

1. How successful are telesummits that rely on upsells to make money? I shared numbers that you’ll find quite interesting
2. Everyone and their mother is doing telesummits - and for free. How do I make mine stand out? I shared one powerful tip that I got from telesummit pioneer, Milana Leshinsky
3. How should I price my telesummit? What is the range that I should consider? I provide the 3 things you must consider when pricing your telesummit registrations

Click on the play button below to listen to this 7-minute audio interview.

If you’d like more tips on how to make money with your next (or first) telesummit, I have 10 copies of Multiple Streams of Virtual Event Income that I brought back from my trip to the Meeting Planners International World Education Congress. Not only will I pick up the tab on shipping, but I’ll personally sign a copy. Click here and use the coupon code FREESHIP to get a copy of the book.

(Note: If you’re using Internet Explorer (64-bit) browser on Windows 7, or if you’re using an Apple handheld or tablet device, such as an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, the play button may not be visible above. Please use another browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or non 64-bit Internet Explorer on a laptop or computer to play the audio above)

In 2008, I hosted what was at the time the very first virtual event on the topic of social media. Thirty-three sessions, 36 speakers over 8-days.

Since then, everyone and their mama has launched a virtual event on the topic of social media.

My coach at the time encouraged me to go for it (it was originally called the Podcasting Telesumimt, but he strongly suggested I switch it to the Social Media Telesummit).

My friend and telesummit pioneer, Milana Leshinsky, gave me a virtual hug and loads of advice on how to get it done right.

The sales page went up, the promotions began and both registrations and negative feedback started to pour in.

[...]

I absolutely love hosting virtual events and Virtual Event Boom is no different. Why? Because I get to sit back and be a student as I listen to speaker after speaker share their gems and insights.

I’d like to share with you my big takeaways from Day 1 & Day 2 of Virtual Event Boom.

1. Milana Leshinsky shared her #1 tip on how you you can make your virtual event stand even when there’s so many out there (this gem was so good, I asked those listening not to tweet it out – and no one did).
2. Why using a hybrid event strategy will help you fill both your virtual and non-virtual events with ease (Maria Gamb, Kim Duke & Mary O’Brien).
3. Why it’s okay to use long sales as it creates safety for the person buying (Mark Silver).
4. Tina Forsyth and Cindy Greenway‘s favorite conference bridge line and webinar tool (even I was blown away by their choice).
5. Vocal exercises that will help you confidently tackle even the most intimidating guest in your virtual event series (Susan Bratton had me doing these which prompted an attendee to request a back up orchestra on Twitter).
6. I shared never before heard content from my 2nd book Multiple Streams of Virtual Event Income due out this Fall.
7. The only tool you’ll need to measure how well your virtual event is doing (Andrea Blackwood-Harriott).

Also, attendees received a conference bridge line & webinar platform comparison guide, daily action guides to help them implement what they’re learning and additional resources & handouts from the speakers.

[...]

I got the idea for the title of this post from Milana Leshinsky’s wonderful report on how to add coaching to your business in 48-hours or less.

So, I often get asked what is the difference between a teleclass and a virtual event. The difference between the 2 is that virtual events are set up like a serial. According to Wikipedia.org, serials are:

Stories that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in an episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from traditional episodic television that relies on more stand-alone episodes. Worldwide, the soap opera is a notable derivative of the serial.

With your virtual event, you put together stories that unfold with a specific beginning and end. Even though you may be interviewing different people during your virtual event, each expert is presenting material that feeds into the main story arc or theme of your event.

Also, the serialized virtual event is much more financially lucrative. Attendees keeps tuning in to each session that takes place over consecutive days and weeks to learn more. Also, attendees feel your virtual event is well worth the investment because they get a mountain of content for a low price. Think about it – if you offer 18 sessions for $497, the actual cost per session is $27 (and there’s no money spent on travel or hotel).

Therefore, a 3-min clip of you singing the Facebook blues isn’t a virtual event. It’s a video online. However, if you prepare a series of videos that explain complicated terms in plain English, they can be considered a virtual event.

Let’s take a look at other examples of virtual events you can start in the next 48-hours or less.

1. Podcasting – This is an audio or video series that’s syndicated. You produce a daily or weekly episode and share it via iTunes with your audience. Just posting a recording on your blog from your recent teleclass or posting a video to YouTube is not enough. You need to commit to a schedule and syndicate the content in order for it to be considered a podcast.
2. Telesummits – This is a series of teleclasses that feature a variety of speakers over consecutive days or hours. Examples of these are the Social Media Telesummit, Adwords Advantage or Practice Building Virtual Conference.
   
3. Virtual Workshop – This is a series of teleclasses or webinars that feature only one or two speakers who train you on a specific task. Each week is a module that leads into the next. Examples are Couples Transformations and my Virtual Event Launch Secrets program.
4. Virtual Coaching – Whether it’s one-to-one or in a group setting, you can coach your clients virtually. Just make sure to do so over consecutive days or hours so it qualifies as a virtual event. Kendall Summerhawk  wrote about a full day virtual retreat concept where you meet with your client hourly in one day and Milana Leshinsky  lists 20 exciting ways to coach your client (#1-#9 are virtual formats).
5. Virtual Job Fairs – Employers and job candidates meet virtually and share resumes and job leads. This type of event takes place over consecutive hours and may feature expert speakers. Examples are eFairJob and Monster’s Virtual Job Fair.
6. Virtual Trade Shows – Complete with exhibitors on a virtual trade show, sponsors and speakers, these huge events attract thousands of attendees. Although the cost to set up this type of virtual is high, the profit margin is equally high.

In my examples above, just remember that the tool doesn’t matter. Whether you host your virtual event over the phone or online, just make sure you don’t book a conference room. What matters, however, is the strategy.

Are there any other virtual events you would add to this list?

I stumbled upon this video recording that Sanyika Colloway-Boyce did for me while we both attended Milana Leshinsky’s The Bliss Factor workshop back in April 2009.

I had a chance to share with the attendees how they can use social media to attract coaching leads to their business.

This is a small clip of the 60-minute presentation that I did. In it, I share with attendees how they can release their social media fears. As you view this, I invite you to follow the exercises to release your own fears about social media, podcasting, virtual events or any other online marketing tactic. I’d love to hear your fears in the comments section below.

In Part 2, I’ll share the part of the presentation where I show you how to shake those fears so you can tackle social media, podcasting, virtual events or any other online marketing tool with confidence.

I’m tickled pink that I get to interview my friend, Milana Leshinsky, on the following topic:

The Biggest Mistake Most Entrepreneurs Make That Keep Them from Earning a Seven Figure Income

…And How To Cash In On The Hottest Trend in Business Today
to Turn Your Knowledge Into A Multiple Income Stream Empire!

Milana Leshinsky, Coaching Millions

Milana has guided my business over the past 4-years and I modeled much of what she does in my own business because we share the same values. I’ve learned ALOT from Milana and I’m excited that I get to share her expertise with you.

On September 17, 2009 at 2pm ET, Milana , a successful knowledge-marketing entrepreneur and a
business advisor to experts (like yours truly), will show you how to ride the exciting wave of the hottest new trend and add high-ticket low-time-investment income streams to your existing knowledge-based business.

Here’s what you’ll discover on this 60-minute, information-rich teleclass:

• How To Unlock A Gold Mine Of New Cash Flow That’s Sitting Un-Tapped, Right Now, In Your Existing Market
• How To Double Or Triple Your Income in 90 days From Your Existing Knowledge Without Spending A Ton Of Money Of New Advertising Sources, Without Increasing The Number Of Hours You’re Working Each Week, And Without Toiling For Months On End To Create New Products.
• How to Create New Income Streams Every Top Entrepreneur Has Been Enjoying, While Helping a Ton More Customers Succeed!
• And, How to Create Your Very Own Multiple-Income-Stream Empire From Your Existing Knowledge!

To get the call-in details for this FREE teleclass, just enter your first name and email address below.

A few weeks ago, I shared with you my 4-hour workday. It is possible to work less and earn more and I’m so glad that I’m able to do so.

But is it possible for your business? And in this shaky economy? Well, my friend and mentor, Milana Leshinsky is here to tell you: “Yes, you can!” And Milana is living proof.

After 5 years of people telling her that she couldn’t build a million-dollar company working 4-5 hours a day while raising two small children, she just went ahead and proved them wrong.

Only a few short years ago, Milana was just like many entrepreneurs – working 10 or more hours a day, and pulling in less than $50,000 a year while  struggling to get it all done with a young and growing family. She had no choice but to do something different.

Milana quickly learned the keys to growing a half a million dollar company working 4 hours a day a few days a week. She created a multiple streams business using systems and automation and she shows no sign of slowing down.

In fact, thousands of coaches, consultants, and other types of small business owners seek out Milana’s personal coaching and her sold-out events to learn how she makes it all so effortless.

Today Milana’s teaching entrepreneurs just like you how to uncover new income-stream goldmines hidden in your current business and create the lifestyle you really want.

I’ve learned from Milana and now, I’m working a 4-hour workday, 3 times per week. Milana has been my mentor for many years. If I’m doing it and Milana is doing, then surely, it’s possible for you as well.

Go here to find out more and be sure to get a copy of her FREE 40-page guide, where she shows you the step-by-step process for liberating yourself from the “time-for-money” economy and unlocking the amazing growth in your business:

Another thing – If you’ve been running your business on “full steam” wondering when you can finally slow down, you simply MUST grab Milana’s information. Her guide shows you how to create room for new income streams, automate and streamline your product funnel, create a winning virtual team, and enjoy plenty of passive income. Click here to get Milana’s free special report on this very topic.