Today I want to share with you a defining moment in my career.

It’s not a story I’m particularly proud of, but one that taught me a valuable lesson I still pull from today.

And it has positively affected my writing ever since. So, here goes:

A few years ago, right before a new 3-day event I was hosting for several hundred people, my assistant reminded me that the printer deadline for the attendee binder was in a matter of days.

My face went white. My throat went dry.

Days???

The final presentation and written materials? Now??

Are you joking??

Sadly, she was not joking.

Apparently, through a series of miscommunications, I hadn’t realized that I was supposed to have prepared the binder – several hundred pages’ worth of life-transforming content – by the agreed-upon date.

And the printer needed said materials in just a few short days.

Or else, no binder.

I panicked.

Then I cried.

Then I panicked some more.

But after a few moments of a serious meltdown, and pointing the finger at others, and then at myself, I realized that this reaction wasn’t going to solve my problem.

I realized that to get everything done, I needed to create a new, miraculous content-writing plan.

And I’m happy to report that did it. I wrote it all in less time than some people write a 3-page article.

How?

This week’s 5-minute video shows you how I successfully managed to write a huge amount of content, even under the most pressing of deadlines.

(If I can do it using this formula, so can you.)

What’s so great is that the process I came up with that day (to write in a ridiculously short time what would have normally taken me weeks) is a process that I still use today.

After you’ve watched this video, I’d like for you to tell me in the comments below:

When you write content (or when you do any other important business activity), what is that 80 percent of wastefulness? And going forward, what can you do to streamline, reduce or reuse in order to make wasting time a thing of the past?

I can’t wait to read your response in the comment section below… I’ll see you there!

Sending love,
Fabienne

P.S. Speaking of, maybe you wanted to join me at my 3-day Mindset Retreat next week, but you weren’t able to make it happen. Well, I have good news for you. I have managed for you to be able to eavesdrop on it. Next week, I’m broadcasting a session live from stage and I’d like to give you a free “backstage pass” to the Mindset Retreat to join us from the comfort of your own home or office (all you need is a computer and internet connection). Sound good? You can register for your free backstage pass here. Enjoy!

[youtube width=”600″ height=”352″]http://youtu.be/f1YaZcgvi1Q?hd=1[/youtube]

One of the questions that I get very often is, “Fabienne, how do you host your own introductory event? What is necessary and how do you promote it and all that good stuff?”

This is a very good question because one of the fastest ways to attract lots of clients is through your introductory event.  Or, perhaps you have plenty of clients but you’d like to scale your business models or leverage your business.  Introductory events can be very good for that too.

The reason these work so well is that instead of just talking one-to-one you’re talking one-to-many.  When you can give high content plus high value for a minimal price point, people who are somewhat interested in working with you will come out to see you.  If you’ve done everything correctly and if they are the ideal people, they will raise their hand and say, “Yes, I would like to work with you further.”

Many, many years ago I used to do a 3-hour introductory event the last Wednesday of every month. Every single time I walked away with four, five, six new clients.  It is well worth it.

So here are the 4 components you’ll need for a successful introductory event. This formula worked for me and will work for you too.

1. Think about your content. You really want to map that out.  If you’re a student of my Client Attraction system, you know that we talk about creating a step-by-step proprietary system of all of your information. This is something that you can share during your introductory event as a sampling of what you offer.

2. Work on your compelling story. How did you get to do what you are doing today?  That is something that you are going to weave into your event. 

3. Share client case studies and testimonials. Your attendees will want to hear about the success that your clients have experienced.

4. Present your call to action. Let your audience know what to do next.

All four components work together to give your audience all that they need to make the decision on whether they want to work with you or not. Hopefully, they will.

Another important point is to make this a regular event. That could mean you host one once a quarter or once a year.  I like the idea of once a month.

Make sure that you charge for it. If you don’t people will say they’re coming but they won’t.  There’s no skin in the game.  It doesn’t have to be a lot of money.  For my first introductory event I charged $20.  And I’ve charged as much as $95.  Anywhere within that range is good.  You can start small and then go up from there, but the key is to collect something. Even if it’s just breaking even when considering the rental cost for the room, supplies, etc.  When your attendees pay, there’s a commitment coming from them.

Your Client Attraction Assignment

Your assignment is to pick a date within the next few weeks.  Just commit to it right now, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night.  Pick a date.

Pick a time during the day or in the evening that you’re going to do your intro event and start letting people know about it.  Put it out to your ezine.  Share it on social media.  Create fliers and invite folks from your networking groups to come and see you.

Then, work on all of your other materials that we talked about.  Come up with your call to action and get going with this because this is a great way to get more clients and to leverage your marketing so that you’re not just working at your marketing one-to-one.  And be sure to let me know your results. Good luck!