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Chapter 4:
What To Do Before The Event To
Virtually Guarantee Success
very successful speaking event starts long before the speaker
shows up. The initial set-up stage is vitally important because
you're creating a solid foundation on which to build a productive
and enjoyable REIA event. The way you organize everything will
contribute just as much to the success of the event as anything the
speaker might say. If you neglect anything during this stage you will
be setting up your group for failure.
This chapter will focus on what must be done before an event can
take place. This is information we've learned from years of real
world experience. We've attended events that ran like clockwork and
events that could not have gone any worse. We've noticed a few
mistakes which seem to be a common occurrence in every
unsuccessful event, and this chapter will help you avoid them.
Plan Early, Plan Often
The planning stages of a REIA speaking event will likely account
for a lot of the time you spend on it. There are many different things
to consider if you want it to run smoothly. Neglecting to plan as
thoroughly as possible is a recipe for disaster. I have attended a few
events, both as a speaker and an audience member, that were poorly
executed. Not only did that group waste a lot of time, they spent
money that would have been better used some other way.
You should start planning your event as early as possible. If
Murphy's Law has any truth to it at all, there will be a few problems
along the way. Giving yourself enough time to handle these
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