Z_Definitive_Guide_to_Running_a_Successful_REIA_Meeting_Reduced_size
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RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL <strong>REIA</strong> MEETING<br />
When I'm invited <strong>to</strong> speak at an event, I will always bring a stack of<br />
CDs that I plan on giving away for free. Towards the end of my<br />
presentation I'll hold up the CD, tell the audience what it is, and then<br />
mention that it's entirely free. I'll generally have a couple of copies<br />
with me while I'm on stage. A few people will then run up <strong>to</strong> the<br />
stage <strong>to</strong> get their own copy. Now that the audience has seen the<br />
demand for this product, I mention how there are plenty more over<br />
at the sales table. As I've said before, everyone loves getting<br />
something for free and it's rare that people don’t rush over <strong>to</strong> the<br />
sales table <strong>to</strong> pick up their copy.<br />
A Schedule of Events<br />
If you've ever been <strong>to</strong> the theater then you'll be familiar with the<br />
Playbill. This is a small pamphlet describing a bit about the show<br />
and the people acting in it. More importantly for us, however, it also<br />
gives the audience a general idea of how the show will be<br />
scheduled. It tells them what acts come first, when the intermissions<br />
are, and what the last act will be. This can be a wonderful thing <strong>to</strong><br />
have at an event for a few reasons.<br />
The first reason <strong>to</strong> have a schedule is for your own benefit. Some<br />
events will be very long and the audience will begin <strong>to</strong> lose their<br />
concentration after a few hours. You'll want <strong>to</strong> give them regular<br />
breaks where they can stretch their legs and use the bathroom. Since<br />
every event has a certain flow <strong>to</strong> it, these breaks should be planned<br />
at just the right point. These intermissions should come at a time<br />
when one concept has been completely delivered but before a new<br />
one is introduced, just like acts in a play.<br />
Some events will include a meal, and this needs <strong>to</strong> be planned for as<br />
well. You do not want <strong>to</strong> have the wait staff serving food in the<br />
middle of the keynote speaker's presentation. The meal itself will be<br />
a bit of a distraction so you may want <strong>to</strong> give the audience time <strong>to</strong><br />
eat before moving on <strong>to</strong> the next part of the event. Don't forget <strong>to</strong><br />
include time for clearing the tables, as this will also be a distraction.<br />
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