LinkedIn Newsletter: The Power of Workshops - How I'm Growing My Business by Teaching What I Know!

Introduction

Hey LinkedIn family! After running several workshops recently (3 promoted right here on LinkedIn and another coming up on UpWork), I wanted to share how these sessions have seriously boosted my business and why you might want to try this approach too. Let's chat about the nitty-gritty of workshop hosting - the good, the challenging, and the surprisingly profitable!

Why Host Workshops?

Workshops aren't just educational events - they're marketing gold! When I started hosting LinkedIn workshops, potential clients could actually see my expertise in action instead of just reading about it. Plus, there's something magical about the real-time interaction that builds trust way faster than any perfectly crafted post. One participant told me, "Seeing you solve problems on the fly made me confident you could handle mine too."

Free vs. Paid: Finding the Right Approach

I've tried both, and here's the real deal:

Free Workshops:

My free LinkedIn basics workshop brought in 27 people - many who'd never have paid upfront. Three of them later became clients! These sessions are like extended discovery calls where people get actual value before deciding to work with you. The key is offering enough value that they're impressed but leaving them wanting more.

The Marketing Multiplier Effect: Even though only 27 people attended my last workshop, I got nearly 4 weeks of marketing momentum! Every post, reminder, and teaser content piece helped grow my network and showcase my expertise. People who couldn't make the actual event still saw me as an authority in the space. The workshop became an excuse to consistently share valuable content that attracted new followers and potential clients. This extended visibility is honestly worth as much as the workshop itself!

Paid Workshops:

When I charged $47 for my advanced LinkedIn strategy workshop, I got fewer participants (12), but they were serious about implementing what they learned. The payment created commitment - everyone showed up, did the exercises, and asked substantive questions. Plus, that immediate revenue covered my prep time!

Maximizing LinkedIn's Event Feature

The Power of Invitations: LinkedIn allows you to invite up to 1,000 people to your event! That's huge! I've found the sweet spot is inviting 200-300 targeted connections per workshop. The platform makes it easy - when creating your event, you can select specific connections or filter by industry, location, or company.

Strategic Invitation Process: Don't blast all invites at once! I send about 50-75 invites daily over a 1-2 week period, which keeps your event appearing in feeds consistently rather than just one day. This staggered approach has doubled my acceptance rate.

Attendee Management Gold Mine: The "manage attendees" feature is networking dynamite! You can see who's clicked "interested" or "going" and sort by first or second connections. I make it a point to personally connect with every second-connection attendee before the workshop with a simple message: "Looking forward to seeing you at the workshop! I noticed we're not directly connected yet and would love to change that." Almost everyone accepts, instantly expanding my network with qualified prospects!

Platform Options That Actually Work

LinkedIn Live is great for visibility, but honestly, I've had technical hiccups. Zoom has been my go-to for reliability - especially since I can create breakout rooms for practice sessions. For my UpWork workshop, I'm trying StreamYard because it allows me to display participants' questions on screen which makes for more engaging content.

Best Practices I'd Recommend Implementing

These are techniques I'm excited to try in upcoming workshops:

• Send a pre-workshop "toolkit" with a simple worksheet participants can print beforehand
• Create a 5-minute buffer activity at the start so latecomers don't miss crucial content
• Structure workshops in 15-20 minute learning blocks followed by quick practice exercises
• Use polls during the session to keep engagement high and gather insights about participants
• Have a "takeaway template" where attendees can document their key insights and next steps
• Schedule a 10-15 minute Q&A at the end but also address questions throughout
• Offer a special "workshop-only" resource as an unexpected bonus at the conclusion
• Create a private LinkedIn group for workshop attendees to continue discussions
• Follow up with personalized voice messages to thank attendees for their participation
• Schedule a free 15-minute implementation check-in with interested participants 2 weeks after

Remember, each workshop should build on lessons from the previous one. The goal is continuous improvement where participants can see your growth as a presenter, which also showcases your commitment to excellence in your field!

Promotion Strategies That Don't Feel Sleazy

Instead of just announcing my workshops, I now post a specific problem I'll solve with a simple question: "Is this something you struggle with?" The responses help me tailor content AND create engagement. I also create 2-3 carousel posts with workshop previews that people actually save and share. My registration rate tripled when I started adding "limited to 25 participants" - scarcity works!

Measuring What Matters

Beyond just counting attendees, I track how many people follow up with questions afterward - these are your hottest leads! I've started using a super quick 2-question survey: "What was most valuable?" and "What would you like to learn next?" This feedback has shaped my entire service offering.

My Real Workshop Journey

Let me be transparent - my first workshop had tech issues, awkward silences, and one participant who dominated discussion. But by workshop #3, I had smooth breakout sessions, engaging Q&As, and a natural pitch for my services that didn't feel forced. The growth has been worth the occasional embarrassment!

Your Workshop Action Plan

Start small! Your first workshop doesn't need fancy slides or equipment. Pick your most-asked client question and build a 45-minute session around solving it. The confidence you'll gain (and the connections you'll make) will motivate you to keep going. And trust me - nothing beats the feeling when a participant messages you saying, "That one tip changed everything for me."

Join us on Clubhouse in the Breakfast with Champions Monday - Saturday! My workshops are 7:30 am - 8:30 am every Thursday!

I'd love to hear if you're thinking about hosting workshops or what's holding you back. Drop a comment below or message me directly - I'm happy to share more specific details about what's working for me!