Picture it, you’re working hard to make sure your business runs smoothly. You’ve got a staff meeting in the morning, several presentations to prepare for and a big task ahead. Amidst all of this, you get a call from a colleague; they’ve got some exciting news about a new initiative and they want to know if you’re interested in participating.
You have so much on your plate already, but the concept of getting out there and engaging with new contacts in your industry sounds appealing. You’ve been invited to take part in a blueprints seminar and the idea of being trained by some of the biggest names in the industry is exciting.
What is a blueprints seminar?
A blueprints seminar is something that University of Chicago Booth School of Business professor Neil Buchan calls “a carefully planned out mini-retreat”. It’s a combination of a mastermind session and a work-in-progress conference. Essentially, it’s a getaway for professionals where they can engage with one another while working through a project.
Think of it like an informational R&D department, but instead of spending hours in the lab, you get to join the action from a comfortable position. During one of these sessions, you’ll form small teams to tackle specific projects, discuss strategies and share best practices. You’ll leave with a list of action items that you can dive into immediately.
Why should any business attend a blueprints seminar?
There are a number of benefits to attending a blueprints seminar. First off, you’ll learn a lot. From the basics of content marketing to effectively using social media to reach your audience, to branding and marketing strategy, you’ll leave the session with a much greater understanding of how to approach your industry.
Additionally, you’ll be able to network with other businesses. Even if you don’t end up taking part in a project with any of the people you meet, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with them and get to know them better. Most importantly, you’ll make contacts who can help you with future projects. That alone is worth the investment of time and effort.
An Information-Based Business
If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you know that your industry can change in an instant. What was once a small community of competitors is now a landscape filled with brands and platforms that all want your business. You need to be always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve and innovate to maintain your position.
With so much change, information marketing becomes even more important. Having access to as much relevant information as possible allows you to make educated decisions and respond effectively to market trends. It also helps you build a trusted brand that will attract potential customers who desire better quality and value for their money. That is what an information-based business aims to provide.
According to HubSpot Blogs research, 59% of executives say they use content marketing to gain exposure and generate interest. Further, 41% use the tactic to gain industry recognition and 34% use it to communicate a message about their company. This clearly shows that businesses of all sizes and in all industries are taking note of content marketing and using the strategy effectively. It would therefore follow that a business that offers informative seminars would be well-suited to capitalise on this trend.
Attracting and Engaging the Right Audience
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’ve either considered or done some form of information marketing. With so many benefits and so much opportunity, it’s clear that more businesses are getting on board with the strategy. If your product or service is within the realm of possibilities of any of the presenters, you’re in for a treat.
If you want to attract and engage the right audience for your business, you need to consider a number of factors. Your chosen niche, industry, and location all play a role in defining your target audience. So do your research and choose seminars that you think will attract and retain your desired clientele.
The A-Z of Information Marketing
To stand out from the crowd, your branding and marketing material (i.e. the leaflets, website, social media profiles) need to grab the attention of potential customers. To achieve this, create a memorable first impression that will stick in the minds of those who encounter your business or organisation. To create a memorable first impression, choose a memorable name for your business and be sure to use it consistently throughout all your marketing material. Additionally, you should register your company with the appropriate agencies in case you want to expand your business nationwide. Before making a decision, do your research by contacting the Better Business Bureau and local chambers of commerce for details about registered businesses in your area.
Make Learning Fun!
If you’re learning something new, whether it’s new skills or expanding your existing knowledge, make sure that you have fun along with the learning. You can use a tool like Pomodoris to create a virtual learning environment where you can practice what you’re learning and receive feedback from experts in the field. This can help you form a better understanding of the material and allow you to retain the knowledge longer.
Having fun while learning is a key component to effective learning. If you’re passionate about a particular subject and find it rewarding to explore it deeply, you’ll be able to retain more information and boost your productivity.
When it comes to choosing a location for your seminar, bear in mind that the locale you choose will impact the attendees. Ideally, you want a scenic setting that’s comfortable and accessible. Wherever you choose, make sure that there is sufficient power and Internet connectivity so that you can project your screen accurately and allow attendees to engage with you during the presentation. Additionally, consider the travel time to get there. If you have a choice, a closer setting would be preferable to save attendees time and money. However, if the location is more than a few hours away, you may lose some potential customers who can’t make the trip. Consider the location and the travel time before making a decision.
Plan Your Schedule
If you want to run a successful seminar, you need to consider how you want the day to unfold. You should plan out your timetable and stick to it. People who work on contingency and changeable schedules tend to be very productive because they can be flexible with their working hours. This allows them to plan out their weeks and fit in their training requirements.
By planning your schedule, you can ensure that you don’t have any clashes with holidays or busy periods so that you can fully engage with the training content. Further, you can also plan out a couple of days of downtime after the training session so that you can regroup and implement what you’ve learnt. This will help you boost your productivity and ensure that you make the most out of the time you have planned. It also helps create a greater sense of accomplishment when you can use what you’ve learnt to overcome an obstacle or challenge. This is why you should plan your schedule before making any arrangements.
Final Takeaways
When you’ve finished planning your seminar, you can sit back and revalue the whole experience. Reflect on what you’ve learnt and how it can be applied to your work. Consider whether the investment of time and money was worth it and whether you’ll be able to implement what you’ve learnt. This will help you form a clear picture of the value of your information marketing efforts. Additionally, make sure to write down any action items that came out of the session and commit to following up on them.