If you want to run a workshop to help others, that’s great – but it may not be as easy as you think. There are definitely some important things to think about before you get started. No matter what your workshop is actually about, the fundamentals will be the same. Take a look at our suggestions about how to run a great workshop, and go for it. 

Let People Know

Something that is crucial when you are running a workshop that will benefit a certain group of people is to let those people know. Otherwise, you may find that the turnout is pretty small. It’s likely that you will already know who your target market is due to the subject of your workshop, but make sure that you absolutely have a firm grasp of this because you will need to focus your advertising on this group. 

Advertising could be in many forms, and flyers are particularly good if you are promoting a locally held workshop. Social media is also an excellent idea, especially if you can find a partner on the influencer marketplace to ensure you have the best reach possible. Make sure there is a time, date, and location mentioned in all your advertising, and let people know the benefits of attending.  

Know The People

Once you have set up your workshop and it is ready to begin, it’s important to get to know the people who are attending. If you make an effort to speak to them (individually if possible), you will get a good idea of who they are and why they have attended your event. This will help you to refine your content even more. 

Set a start time for the workshop but don’t actually begin speaking at that time. Wait for 10 or 15 minutes so that you have time to mingle with the people who are attending and talk to them. It can make a big difference and will even help with your nerves if you are experiencing them. 

Tell A Story

If you want to run a successful workshop, you need to engage your audience with stories rather than lecture them. Not only will they enjoy the workshop more, but they will also remember more. Stories are gentler, and they can be a part of it, whereas a lecture is always rather stern and one-sided. You are there to give your attendees some kind of information that will help them in their lives going forward, so ensure that it is done in the way that will be received best. 

Be Passionate

Reading from a prepared script might well give all the information out, but it won’t show much passion. In order for your message to really be received and understood, you need to be passionate about your subject matter. That means speaking from the heart, not from a piece of paper. Notes are helpful, of course, but writing everything out should be avoided where possible as people won’t feel they are getting enough for their money; they want a real person not just someone reading something to them.