How I Generated $4,900 in Additional Revenue with Workshops: A Guide for Your Business

Imagine adding $4,900 to your revenue just by running a few workshops. Sounds too good to be true? Let me tell you how I did it. It all started at Mesh Space, where I hosted my first workshop just over a year ago. I barely charged for those initial sessions, but the revenue flowed in from clients who attended.

Why are workshops so powerful for your business? They build know, like, and trust with your audience quickly. Today, I’m going to share the story of how I landed my first workshop and give you three takeaways to help you get started too.

Have you ever made 50 videos in 15 minutes? I did, thanks to a trick I learned on TikTok using ChatGPT and Canva. I was helping a nonprofit with their social media but had no time, so I turned to TikTok for a quick solution. ChatGPT was amazing, and when I mentioned this at Mesh, a coworking space, it sparked interest.

Someone asked, “Yo Ed, what’s new?” I shared my ChatGPT success story, and the owner of Mesh suggested I do a workshop on it. Three weeks later, I was teaching a workshop on ChatGPT, even though I initially knew only one trick. I dived into TikToks, YouTube videos, and Instagram reels, learning all I could. I then put together a quick slide deck and shared practical, applicable tips for small business owners.

I charged $20 per person, and about 20 people attended. The response was fantastic, and they asked for more workshops. The next two were on content creation and content planning with ChatGPT. And from these workshops, I got my first client.

If you can get a group of people to sit with you for an hour, it’s hard for them to leave without at least one wanting to buy something from you. You build relationships, know, like, and trust, which are essential for any business. If your ideal clients are in that room, it’s pure gold. Almost any business can benefit from workshops, and you should definitely consider doing them.

Case Study: Cookie Party Workshop

I recently attended a cookie party hosted by a local cookie entrepreneur. It was essentially a workshop, gathering parents and ideal clients to make beautiful cookies, have fun, and learn about her business. If a cookie entrepreneur can do it, why can’t you?

Here are three takeaways to help you get started with your first workshop:

1. Let People Know You Have Something Valuable to Teach: Share your expertise and what you can offer.
2. Announce Your Workshop: Let your audience know you’re thinking of running a workshop.
3. Provide Details: Tell them when and where the workshop will be and how much it will cost.

When I started, I simply shared my idea with a group of local entrepreneurs and small business owners. If you don’t have a group like that, a simple Facebook post can do wonders. Write, “I’m thinking of running a workshop on [your valuable topic]. Anyone interested?” This opens up a valuable conversation with prospective customers.

You haven’t committed to running the workshop yet, but you’re already finding potential attendees among your family and friends. They might be interested or know someone who is. This opens a conversation that can continue through direct messages, phone calls, or texts. Tell them when, where, and how to pay if you have a firm idea and location.

Leading with a question is a powerful tool for business owners. I use it all the time as a business coach and marketing consultant. Want to learn more about how to lead with questions and create successful workshops? Stay tuned for my next blog for a detailed guide.