How to Help Others Help You Fill Your Workshops! (Part 2)

A few days ago, we started a conversation about the BEST WAY to help others, help you fill your workshops and seminars! (See Aug 12 / 09 post).

Specifically, we were speaking about setting up an, “Affiliate Program” that motivates the graduates of your workshops to become ‘Raving Fans’ and promote your programs on an ongoing basis to everyone they know.

This tactic works really well because the graduates of your programs almost always socialize and interact with people in their life who have similar interests as they do (i.e. their friends will very likely be interested in the content of your workshops). So why not encourage them to share the wealth in their social circle?

In our last post, we mentioned the main objectives of an Affiliate Program. One of the keys was to offer REWARDS to folks who spread the word for you. But there are 3 common MISTAKES people make when people try to implement the reward part of their Affiliate Program.

 
1) NO CERTAINTY: They don’t have a system that keeps track of rewards efficiently and effectively so affiliates are never sure IF or WHEN they’ll get compensated for getting people to sign up for a program. Make absolutely sure your affiliates know for absolute certain they’ll be getting rewards each time they successfully promote.

2) NO IMMEDIACY: They don’t reward their hard working affiliates immediately upon obtaining a result (i.e. getting someone to sign up). You’ll get the best result if you give your affiliates a reward immediately after they’ve sent you a referral. Don’t wait! In fact, a small reward right away will often do more to motivate someone to continue to promote, than a big reward later! Counter intuitive, but true.

3) NO SIGNIFICANCE: They don’t choose a reward that is meaningful and motivating over time. There are many, many ways to reward people for helping you. From discounts on programs, to thank-you cards and trinkets, to a personal phone call expressing your gratitude. Cold, hard CASH is also a significant reward for most people – but there are many situations in which money isn’t appropriate or called for. For example, if you lead Relationship Workshops – why not reward your affiliates with movie tickets (for 2 people of course) or dinner certificates? They may cost less, but mean more to your affiliates.

Certainty. Immediacy. Significance. Miss even one of these foundational elements in your Affiliate program and watch your ‘raving fans’ quickly become ‘disgruntled clients’ who not only stop promoting for you, but get upset and tell other people about their experience. Implement them like clock-work, and build a promotional sales force that will pack your events for you! Fill your workshops with ease? That’s how you do it.

Comments


No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article by filling out the form below.


Leave a Comment

Name (required)
(will not be published) (required)