As some of you will already know, I run workshops and training to help business owners start writing their own blog. Things don’t always go to plan but that’s OK. Getting together with other business owners is generally a good thing in my book. I wanted to share a story (because that’s what I do) about how a workshop went a little bit wrong and still worked out brilliantly.
Making plans
Before the one that went wrong, I’d delivered two workshops that had gone pretty well. They’d both been hosted by other people. One was a lovely lady called Clare Farthing that I’d met networking online. She specialises in mentoring women and acting as an accountability partner to help them set goals and stretch themselves to get there. (If you’d like to find out more about her Facebook group for women in business go here.) The other workshop was arranged by one of my networking groups, who offer regular training to members.
Both workshops had been well received so I decided to strike out on my own. I booked the room, set up an account on Eventbrite to start selling tickets and began sharing my event online.
Bookings
Before I chose my date I contacted some of the people who’d expressed an interest to see what dates would suit them. I sent messages out to let them know about the event and kept on sharing it on social media. The early signs were good. I got a booking almost straight away. Then it all went quiet.
A week before the workshop date I still only had one booking. I considered cancelling. I knew the lady who’d booked had done it to invest in herself and I didn’t want to let her down. So I adapted. I cancelled the room and we met in a local restaurant instead.
Getting together
You know what? I went from feeling a bit despondent at my one person to having a fantastic time. I woke up on the morning of the workshop feeling excited. My morning was going to be spent talking to someone that I enjoyed spending time with.
We talked about blogging and I saw lightbulbs go off in her eyes. Best of all, I was able to tailor everything I was talking about to suit her. I realised that I didn’t need to talk to a room full of people. It’s enough to inspire one person.
What now?
I’ve realised that you can turn things around when they go a bit wrong, but I still found myself hesitating about booking more workshops. What was stopping me? I took my question to the place I take all of my business questions – my coaching group. I already knew what had gone wrong the first time. Ultimately, I’ve realised that I want to take a different approach. I still want to talk to people about blogging and teach them, but I’m not really into putting the big events out there.
All of this means that I’m changing my approach. I’m still going to put workshop groups together, just in a different way (sign up to my mailing list using the form below if you’d like to know more about that). Other than that I’m going to go out and talk to more people about blogging. That could be a talk at a networking group meeting or a workshop for your team.
If you’d like to invite me along to speak to your group or deliver training to your team, send me an email at info@kirstyfrancewrites.co.uk.
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