Putting On A Seminar Done correctly, seminars can increase your company's visibility--and even ring up sales.

Anyone who's attended an interesting and informative seminarknows it can be one of the best ways to train staff, keep yourselfup-to-date on industry changes and learn new skills. On the flipside, seminars are also a powerful way to build awareness of yourcompany, market your product or services, and possibly create a newrevenue stream for your business. Whatever type of businessyou're in, you probably have knowledge and expertise thatothers would find helpful--and that might encourage them to useyour services. Follow this checklist to make your seminarsgreat:

• When determining what to charge for your seminar, consider tworules of thumb: 1) Most people will attend events for whichthey've already paid in advance, and 2) the more you charge,the less overt selling you should do.

• Consider defraying your costs by teaming up with anotherbusiness that's related to yours.

• Do some homework before you schedule your seminar to avoidcompeting with other events that could reduce your attendance.

• Create a concise marketing plan for your seminar. Includepublicity, direct mail, advertising and other appropriatepromotional vehicles.

• Before you determine the length of your seminar, consider youraudience, your topic and other related factors. If you'replanning to speak to a room full of accountants, don't schedulea half-day seminar during tax season.

• Most hotels and conference centers routinely host seminars andhave the process down to a science. If your budget won't allowfor such accommodations, check out renting space at a local collegeor training facility.

• Advance registration gives you a good idea of how many peopleto expect and how many handouts you'll need. Always ask howregistrants heard about the seminar so you can track your marketingresults.

• Handouts are one of the most overlooked tools in seminarmarketing. Give your attendees professional-looking materials thatsupport key points in your presentation.

• Have enough staff at the event to handle registration,last-minute errands, product sales, distribution of handouts andother event essentials.

• Be sure you obtain names, postal and e-mail addresses, andother important contact information from your attendees forfollow-up purposes. You may also wish to develop an evaluation formto distribute and collect to help you make your seminar even betternext time around.