Virtual and In-Person Conference Dynamics
If you missed last week’s Coffee Talk, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! It was an inspiring conversation filled with strategies, insights, and stories from fellow physician entrepreneurs who are navigating the journey of building their own businesses.
This might be long read but trust me you will learn a lot! If you’re looking to host a conference, grow your network, or find balance amidst burnout, there is something for you! Here’s a quick recap of what went down!
Hosting Conferences and Summits: Where to Start
If you’ve been thinking about hosting your own virtual summit or a live conference, last week’s discussion highlighted the key strategies for success.
1. Virtual Summits: Low-Cost, High-Impact
Virtual events are an excellent way to reach a larger audience with minimal overhead. Michelle, a virtual conference host, broke it down:
Lean Costs: No need for venues or catering—virtual conferences save on those big-ticket expenses. However, make sure to invest in the right tech tools. GoHighLevel and Kajabi are popular platforms for managing tickets, content, and communication.
Promotion Strategy: Ask your speakers to share the event with their audience. By doing this, you’re expanding your reach while offering your speakers a chance to grow theirs. This mutual benefit is key for event promotion.
2. Live Conferences: The Power of In-Person Connection
If you prefer face-to-face interaction, live conferences are where you’ll see deeper connections. Karleen shared her experience hosting a live event with 300+ attendees and highlighted important considerations:
Cost Management: Live events come with higher costs (venue, food, AV). But the in-person connections you make can significantly increase business opportunities.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorships, especially from industries like pharmaceuticals, can help you fund your event. Karleen used sponsorships to cover many of her event expenses, making it more affordable for attendees.
3. Partnering or Going Solo?
Align Your Goals: If you and your potential partner share a common audience and end goal, collaboration can be incredibly powerful. But if your goals differ, it might confuse or divide your audience. Clarity in vision is key.
Growing Your Audience
Building your audience is critical, and Drs. Karleen and Michele shared practical strategies on how to do that through speaking engagements and webinars.
Always end your presentations with a QR code linking to your website or social media. This simple step helps convert attendees into followers, helping you build an audience even after the event.
Focus on solving a specific pain point for your audience. This approach builds trust, which eventually leads to more opportunities and clients.
From Burnout to Balance
Many of the attendees opened up about the challenges of juggling multiple ventures, managing burnout, and finding balance in the process. Here’s what came out of that discussion:
Diversifying your income streams can be fulfilling, but it requires discipline in managing time and energy. Focus on projects that align with your long-term vision.
Authenticity is powerful. People relate to vulnerability and personal experiences. The more you share your journey, the more your audience will connect with you.
Navigating Conference Costs
One of the most practical topics discussed was how to budget and profit from conferences—both virtual and live.
1. Virtual Summit Costs
Virtual events are typically low-cost, but there are still some important expenses to consider. Michele shared that hiring a summit-specific virtual assistant made a big difference in managing her event smoothly.
Offer VIP packages for your virtual events. This can be an easy way to boost revenue while still keeping the event accessible for everyone.
2. Live Conferences and Sponsorships
Live events come with higher upfront costs, but they also present more opportunities for sponsorships and profit. Karleen successfully leveraged sponsorships to cover many of her expenses, making the registration fees for attendees more manageable.
Be strategic with your sponsors. The right partnerships can cover a large portion of your costs, leaving room for a more profitable event.
Key Lessons
Don’t Wait for Perfect: One key takeaway? Start now, even if it feels messy. As Michelle shared, "Done is better than perfect." Sometimes, the biggest barrier is just getting started.
Build Community: Whether through live or virtual events, speaking, or webinars, remember that your community is your biggest asset. Take the time to nurture it.
Watch the Replay and Catch All the Insights!
If these highlights sparked your interest, there’s so much more to uncover! Don’t miss out on the full conversation where we explore actionable strategies, personal stories, and expert advice shared by physician entrepreneurs just like you..
Click here to watch the full replay and soak in all the knowledge at your own pace. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it!
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