There are tons of seminars in the market place that target small business owners and individual people (for finance, relationships, etc). As a small business owner, I've been to many seminars in the past.
Are they a useful tool for the presenting business to attract customers? It depends on the business. In my experience, no.
In all of these seminars (most of them were free or less than $50), I get to learn tidbits of information and lots about the company's offerings. I also get to meet with many desperate business owners, flooding my ears with their 30 seconds infomercials. I also get to meet those who wanted free advice from the presenter.
From what I can see, unless the company's offerings are products that can be sold right away at the seminar at a discounted price, companies with service offerings have a tougher time selling themselves. However, I've seen a very good one being done at the "Millionaire Mind" seminar, where courses are sold at the hundreds to thousands range of dollars. The conditions are:
1. discount (that's a given)
2. people have to sign up right away to take advantage of that discount, with a disposit or credit card number
If these conditions are not given, the audience will hesitate to buy. It's a play, or manipulation, on people's minds.
I signed up for one of the courses that was offered at the Millionaire Mind Seminar, but regret it after I got home. Luckily, the credit card number was somehow incorrect on the form, and they couldn't charge me (maybe they misread a number or something). I was so relieved from the fact that I didn't have to dish out some dough for a course that I didn't need!
It was hard NOT to sign up for one of the courses that were offered, given the hype that was generated, the testimonials, and the benefits promised (no less than being a millionaire).
A seminar, when given for free or at a very low price to cover the cost of the room rental, is a great way to make quick cash - if you know how to present your offerings, be they products or services, in such a way that people can buy them quickly with convenience. Give the audience too much time to think and they will think away the enthusiasm. It can be a very successful tactic.
However, in my mind, these companies' seminars - the ones that employed this clever tactic, left a bad impression for me. For some reason they wanted to make a quick buck out of me and the rest of the audience. For some reason they did not want me to think my way through at my own pace to see if I am making the right decision or not. Could it be because if people really take their time, they would come to realize the offerings from the company are not needed at all?
Think before you buy - if they won't give you time to think, maybe it's best not to buy.
For me, I've quit going to free seminars a year ago. I don't miss the desperate small business owners who love their elevator speech. Nor do I miss the presenters with pressure sales tactics. Freedom to choose is what I prefer - without pressure or time limits.
