Summit Host Hangout: Recent Episodes
Krista Miller - Summit In A Box
Summit Host Hangout: Krista Miller of Summit In A Box dives deep into what it takes to launch an online summit. Everything from discovering your summit idea to the strategies that go into hosting a profitable, value-packed virtual summit. The best part? You don't have to be an influencer to make it happen. Let's dive in!
Last week, I went from "absolutely NOT doing sponsorships" for my upcoming summit to landing $4,250 in confirmed sponsors in less than 24 hours. And it all happened because I gave a client advice that I immediately realized I needed to take myself!
In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that changed how I approach sponsorships. You'll hear about the coaching call moment that opened my eyes to how I was overcomplicating things, the simple sponsorship packages I created in under an hour, and why stripping away the "busy work" actually makes sponsors happier.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of adding sponsors to your summit or you've been telling yourself something in your business is "too complicated," this story might just give you the perspective shift you need.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Last week, I went from "absolutely NOT doing sponsorships" for my upcoming summit to landing $4,250 in confirmed sponsors in less than 24 hours. And it all happened because I gave a client advice that I immediately realized I needed to take myself!
In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that changed how I approach sponsorships. You'll hear about the coaching call moment that opened my eyes to how I was overcomplicating things, the simple sponsorship packages I created in under an hour, and why stripping away the "busy work" actually makes sponsors happier.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of adding sponsors to your summit or you've been telling yourself something in your business is "too complicated," this story might just give you the perspective shift you need.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
I've heard a lot of summit hosts say they're skipping communities entirely because "engagement is dead." But what if the solution isn't removing communities—it's knowing how to make them thrive? In this episode, I'm chatting with membership expert Sandra De Freitas about how she created one of the most vibrant summit communities I've ever experienced. She shares her "dinner party" approach to community building, simple games that drive engagement, and her three-part framework for posts that communicate, engage, and convert. Whether you're using Facebook groups or another platform, you'll discover practical strategies to build a summit community that attendees, speakers, and sponsors all love to participate in. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/299
In this behind-the-scenes episode, I'm sharing how my summit planning process has evolved from my first few events (where I did everything) to now hosting multiple summits per year while working just 20 hours per week.
You'll hear what tasks I still handle, what my team takes care of, and how this evolution happened step by step over 14 summits. Plus, I'm sharing the piece of summit planning I'd recommend you outsource first if you're ready to start building your own support system.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Many of you have run into a massive disconnect that doesn't need to exist between summit hosts and speakers. The gap between what summit hosts expect speakers to know and what many experts actually understand about online summits and marketing. In this episode, I'm sharing why even speakers with huge social followings might struggle with basic summit participation, the four main areas where this gap appears, and practical strategies to bridge it. Whether you've been frustrated by speakers who don't promote or confused by experts who don't understand the value of participating, this episode provides the framework you need to transform speaker confusion into summit success. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/298
"Ever had that sinking feeling when you discover another summit host has chosen the exact same dates as your event?
In this episode, I'm sharing my honest approach to handling summit scheduling conflicts and why giving another person power over your timeline isn't the answer. You'll hear about the three different scenarios you might face, when it makes sense to move your dates (and when it absolutely doesn't), and how to move forward confidently no matter what.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/"
"Ever had that sinking feeling when you discover another summit host has chosen the exact same dates as your event?
In this episode, I'm sharing my honest approach to handling summit scheduling conflicts and why giving another person power over your timeline isn't the answer. You'll hear about the three different scenarios you might face, when it makes sense to move your dates (and when it absolutely doesn't), and how to move forward confidently no matter what.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/"
Planning a second summit doesn't mean starting from scratch! In this behind-the-scenes look at my upcoming Membership Momentum summit, I'm sharing exactly how I'm approaching round two after a successful first event.
When you run a summit for the second time, you get to focus on optimization instead of creation - and it's actually kind of fun! I'm walking through my decision-making process about what stays the same, what needs tweaking, and what we're completely changing based on attendee feedback and our results.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Planning a second summit doesn't mean starting from scratch! In this behind-the-scenes look at my upcoming Membership Momentum summit, I'm sharing exactly how I'm approaching round two after a successful first event.
When you run a summit for the second time, you get to focus on optimization instead of creation - and it's actually kind of fun! I'm walking through my decision-making process about what stays the same, what needs tweaking, and what we're completely changing based on attendee feedback and our results.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Email is, by far, the most effective way to promote a virtual summit. But how can you ensure the emails you're writing will do the job of increasing registrations? Today we have email marketing expert, Allison Hardy, to share the top two mistakes summit hosts make in their emails, how to appeal to multiple types of buyers, and the most important parts of an effective promo email. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/297
It's not as easy to standout with a virtual summit as it was back in 2021, but today's guest is proof that it's still possible - even in the B2B space! In this episode you'll hear from Jacob Cass about how he brought his 2000 attendee goal to 23,000 attendees, how he managed that many people, the keys to his success, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/296
Have you ever taken a "workcation" where you just answered emails from a prettier location?
In this episode, I'm sharing something that might sound terrifying to some entrepreneurs - how I'm taking a REAL break from my business while on a Disney cruise with my family.
I'm talking about why I left my laptop at home, uninstalled Slack, and chose not to buy wifi. You'll hear how complete disconnection actually makes me more productive when I return and the transformation in my approach to time off.
Even if you're running a solo operation, I'll share practical ways to make breaks possible and the systems my team and I put in place to make this work. If you think you can't possibly step away from your business right now, I challenge you to schedule a true break within the next three months.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Last week we talked about hosting a virtual summit as a Highly Sensitive Person. This week we're flipping the script to talk about hosting summits for a sensitive audience! Whether you're targeting HSPs, neurodivergent individuals, people healing from trauma, or those experiencing grief, I'm sharing practical strategies to make your event supportive and accessible. Learn how to focus on people over profit, be a cheerleader rather than stirring up pain points, create safe community spaces, thoughtfully implement (or reconsider) the ways you add urgency into your event, and so much more! The good news is that small adjustments can make a tremendous difference in how your summit is received by attendees who experience things deeply! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/295
Have you been asked to pay to speak at a summit? Or told that your email list isn't big enough to participate after someone pitched you?
I'm getting on my soapbox today about the speaker requirements in the virtual summit industry that I will never get behind.
I'm sharing the 3 types of common speaker requirements that make me cringe, how these tactics actually reveal flaws in a host's summit strategy, and what experienced hosts do instead to create win-win relationships with their speakers.
I'm even sharing a sneak peek at my new solution to help your speakers maximize their results!
This conversation might ruffle some feathers and challenge common practices you've seen (or tried), but I promise it'll lead to better results (and more ethical summits) for everyone involved.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Ever feel like your business is hitting a wall? 😅 In this week's Summit Converstaions video, I shared what happened when I heard from a client who wasn't feeling great about her business - and how I completely resonated with those feelings.
I broke down what I WISH I'd do when business feels like it's falling flat - from taking a real break (not just a weekend!) to making an actual offer and reconnecting with my audience.
You'll hear the strategies that brought in $28k when I got creative with my offers during my own business slump, plus practical ways to evaluate if you're really in trouble or just in your head.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Are there any fellow HPSs (Highly Sensitive Person) in the house? If so, the thought of hosting a virtual summit might be a bit intimidating. In this episode, I'm sharing how being an HSP can actually be your secret superpower in the summit-hosting world! I'll break down what it means to be highly sensitive, how these traits have affected my own summit hosting journey, and practical strategies to protect your energy throughout the planning and hosting process. You'll learn how to honor your sensitivity when making strategic decisions, when to listen to your gut (and when to push through), and how to create summit experiences that feel good for everyone involved. If you've been worried that your sensitivity might hold you back from hosting a successful summit, this episode will show you exactly how to leverage your unique strengths while avoiding overwhelm! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/294
Thank GOODNESS that our businesses aren’t limited by the best possible outcome we imagined when we started.
Right?!
In this Summit Conversations episode, I’m sharing the unexpected evolution of my own business from a simple $197 product to multiple high-level offerings that I couldn't have imagined when I began.
You'll hear the specific stages of my growth, including the surprising jumps from a $12/month membership to programs generating more in a single launch than my previous annual income. I also shared why not being able to envision your "next level" might actually be perfect for where you are right now.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Earlier this week I mapped out the next 4 months of projects for our company and I thought it would be fun to give you a behind-the-scenes look at my process!
I shared about my flexible planning framework, how I prioritize business needs while honoring family commitments, and how I have a solid plan, but also leave room for inspiration to strike.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Generally speaking, when we're looking to increase our income we look at what we can add. Where can we add an extra two hours to fit in this strategy that just has to be the answer? In this podcast episode you'll hear from membership mentor Samantha Harris as she breaks down the idea of exponential income, which is income dependent on impact, not hours. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/293
“It can still be an amazing and fulfilling event, even if it’s small”
That was a sentence I scribbled down in my summit debrief doc on the 2nd day of my recent summit. It was a more impactful realization and experience than I expected!
Of course big numbers are exciting, but a small summit definitely doesn’t mean that you failed. In this episode, I’m sharing how my recent "small" summit still delivered impressive results - including hitting my revenue goals!
I'll walk you through how I shifted my focus from obsessing over registration numbers to creating an exceptional experience for attendees and why a smaller, more engaged audience can sometimes lead to stronger connections and higher conversion rates.
Whether you're planning your first summit or your tenth, my hope is that this video will help you redefine what success looks like for your virtual events.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here at https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
“It can still be an amazing and fulfilling event, even if it’s small”
That was a sentence I scribbled down in my summit debrief doc on the 2nd day of my recent summit. It was a more impactful realization and experience than I expected!
Of course big numbers are exciting, but a small summit definitely doesn’t mean that you failed. In this episode, I’m sharing how my recent "small" summit still delivered impressive results - including hitting my revenue goals!
I'll walk you through how I shifted my focus from obsessing over registration numbers to creating an exceptional experience for attendees and why a smaller, more engaged audience can sometimes lead to stronger connections and higher conversion rates.
Whether you're planning your first summit or your tenth, my hope is that this video will help you redefine what success looks like for your virtual events.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here at https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Have you ever finished a summit feeling uncertain about what worked and what didn't? Or letting your numbers be the only thing that tells you whether your event was a “success” or “failure”?
In this episode, I’m breaking down my debrief process after our most recent summit.
You'll discover how I balance numbers with intuition, the surprising metrics I prioritize beyond registration counts, and how I use these insights to shape my next event strategy. I even share some honest numbers about our recent experimental summit!
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Can you guess the #1 thing most summit hosts look for in a potential speaker? ....list size! Can you guess the #1 thing I DON'T CARE ABOUT when I'm looking for potential speakers? ...also list size! In this episode, I'm breaking down the top 8 things I look for in my summit speakers, two things I don't care about (that others do), and I stepped on my soapbox to talk about having a list-size requirement. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/292 Podcast playlists: https://www.summitinabox.co/playlist Find Your Dream Speakers: https://www.summitinabox.co/dream-speakers
It's tempting to agree to speak at a summit, send in your presentation, do a minimal amount of promotion, and consider your job done. But what what it look like if YOU were the amazing speaker who was active in the community, on live calls, and getting everyone else pumped up? Today, I've got Sara Alepin on the podcast to share how being that standout speaker leads to direct sales (and so much more!) in her business. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/291
The "2nd week slump" is traditionally the quietest period of summit promotion.
While I love to share the benefits that summits bring and how fun most of the process is, I also want to be transparent about the less glamorous side.
So I recorded a short video sharing a behind-the-scenes look at:
- The typical pattern of registrations you'll see throughout summit promotion.
- What my energy is like during the slump.
- A pattern my coach and I have noticed in my energy when I do any launch (not just a summit).
- The actions I take each day to keep things moving in the right direction, even during slow periods.
- What I do to keep my energy up when those tasks are done (and no, it isn't "rest").
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
Last year, I cut my work hours in half to homeschool my oldest daughter. While it hasn't been easy, I've managed to find a rhythm and accomplish a lot within just 20 hours per week.
In this week's Summit Conversations episode, I'm sharing: - A few things you should know about my team and me before listening to anything I have to say. - 6 tips, routines, and habits I've developed that help me make the most of the limited time I have. - A couple of examples of how it's not all butterflies and rainbows. 🌈
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
I've heard a lot of people say over the years that summits only work when you have an audience of business owners. But that couldn't be further from the truth. If you target a B2C (business-to-consumer) audience, I'm happy to tell you that B2C summits tend to work even better than summits for business owners. I'm breaking down the reasons for that in today's episode along with sharing a long list of some of the B2C audiences we've helped clients host summits for! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/290
If you run a B2C (business-to-consumer) business, this is for you! Take this as your personal invite to Sell with a Summit: B2C Edition. Learn more and register at https://www.summitinabox.co/b2c
I see a LOT of people totally obsess over numbers when they open summit registration and get stressed about the wrong things.
In this week's short-and-sweet Summit Conversation ,I'm sharing our three-phase summit announcement process, what I look at in each stage, and why it's not worth getting bent out of shape about numbers right out of the gate.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
This is my first time hosting a summit on part-time hours and, the truth is, I miiiiight not have done a great job of accounting for working half the hours that I used to 😅
In this episode I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what I'm feeling right now, how I might be "failing" when it comes to managing my overwhelm, the steps I'm taking to help, and what I'll do if we aren't fully ready in time to open registration for our summit.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your best tip for managing overwhelm.
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
You might think of gamification as a strategy that can make your life or business more "fun". But as this week's guest, Kimba, shared the truth is, "fun" isn't a business objective and gamification is so much more than that! In fact, in the world of summits you can use gamification in your marketing, sessions, live show-up rates, community engagement, all-access pass sales, affiliate promotion, speaker motivation, and so much more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/289
If you don't love the thought of pitching sponsors for your summit, you're not alone.
After getting turned down time after time when reaching out to sponsors for a summit that ultimately led to $121k in all-access pass sales, I got creative with my strategy. And I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look today!
In this episode, you'll hear why I dislike the traditional sponsorship approach, where my current approach originated, how I filled my sponsorship spots with our upcoming summit, how I created my sponsorship packages, and what to consider if you've never offered sponsorships before.
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share any thoughts or questions you have about sponsorships!
Join the community here >>
I've always been a little envious of summit and bundle hosts who can put out an application for their event and get hundreds of responses.
But after my experience with getting 60 applications for our upcoming summit...I'm not quite as sure 😅
In this week's video, I shared... - What it was like for a highly sensitive, Enneagram 2, ISFJ to sort through 60 amazing people. - How I sorted the applications into buckets. - What my criteria ended up being. - A big question on the application that I'm not sure that I'll use again. - And more!
Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share any thoughts or questions you have about utilizing speaker applications!
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
To keep a classic strategy like virtual summits working, it's important to experiment and innovate. However, we don't want that innovation to destroy the results you get from your event! In this episode, I'll break down why getting creative in summits is so important, the rewards and risks of doing so, and examples of what to have fun with vs. what you're better off to leave alone. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/288
I used to be firmly against using speaker applications to create a summit speaker lineup.
I saw people using applications to be lazy and creating lineups that didn’t benefit ANYONE.
But I decided to give it a try in our upcoming summit for B2C business owners and leaned into speaker applications.
It was an interesting process so I decided to give you a behind-the-scenes look!
In this week’s bonus episode, I shared… - more about why I’ve been against applications - what made me decided to give them a try, and - what my thoughts are now that I’m through the process.
Listen to the quick 4-minute episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share any thoughts or questions you have about utilizing speaker applications!
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
I used to be firmly against using speaker applications to create a summit speaker lineup.
I saw people using applications to be lazy and creating lineups that didn’t benefit ANYONE.
But I decided to give it a try in our upcoming summit for B2C business owners and leaned into speaker applications.
It was an interesting process so I decided to give you a behind-the-scenes look!
In this week’s bonus episode, I shared… - more about why I’ve been against applications - what made me decided to give them a try, and - what my thoughts are now that I’m through the process.
Listen to the quick 4-minute episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share any thoughts or questions you have about utilizing speaker applications!
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/
I've been hearing a lot of doom and gloom about the online business space lately, but from my standpoint after being at it for nearly 10 years, it's all a part of the normal cycle. Tune into this week's episode to hear changes I've noticed over the past year in the world of summits, on online business as a whole, and what I think it means for us in 2025. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/287 B2C Summit Waitlist: https://www.summitinabox.co/sws-waitlist Make the Time: https://www.summitinabox.co/make-the-time
The other day I was thinking about what I wish people knew about summits.
I'm a practical thinker, so I was surprised when what came up didn’t have to do with a strategy people get wrong.
But what did come up was this:
I wish people knew that summits don’t have to be done a certain way.
If you see something in other summits that makes you think, “I could NEVER do that”...you probably don’t have to.
Listen to the quick 5-minute episode for examples of what you could change and why you'd want to. Then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share the top things you'd want to change in your summit or what you've seen others do!
Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout
Summits are powerful for visibility but what can we do to get more visible outside of summit season? And what should we do to make the most of that visibility? Tune into my conversation with Teresa Heath-Wareing as she shares her framework for preparing to show up confidently, how to make the first few asks feel easy, and her scrappy way of landing collaborations with some of the biggest names in online business. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/286
I share a lot about the list growth revenue you'll see as a result of hosting a summit, but to be honest, those are some of the least-exciting benefits you'll see. And that's good news! While I use those immediate numbers to catch your attention, there are so many more long-term benefits you'll experience and I'm going to break those things down on the podcast this week. You'll hear the most surprising benefits I've seen in hosting my own events and then I'll share what 5 of my clients reported as benefits they would have never expected. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/285
Today I have a client sharing how she was able to host a 6-figure summit launch in her first year in business! In addition to the juicy numbers you'll also hear how she was able to avoid burnout, manage multiple businesses, and get incredible results as a sensitive and relationship-focused person. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/284
Many summit hosts claim to place a high value on diversity and inclusion in their speaker lineups, but don't take any action to truly give it their best. Today, I'm talking with visibility mentor, Mai-kee Tsang to talk about safe and inclusive speaker applications. You'll hear how she makes her events safer for attendees before a speaker even applies, the extra questions she includes in her application with the perfect wording, and how she filtered through the 85 applications for her most recent summit in a way that prioritizes speaker fit and having a diverse lineup. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/283
Outsourcing can be an intimidating subject, but in today's podcast episode, you'll hear how waiting to hire might actually be hurting your business. Faith Mariah is here to share how she made an initial hire for a few hours per week and now barely touches a thing when she runs virtual summits, bundles, and other launches. You'll hear how she recommends getting started, how to ensure you get an ROI, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/282
Running a business can be tough when you feel like no one knows who you are. Connections not only speed up growth, but make things a whole lot more enjoyable. In this episode, you'll hear how Jas Maylin went from not having any industry connections to building incredible relationships with her speakers through her first virtual summit. Plus, she saw her list grow from 50 to 900 and brought in 5-figures in revenue! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/281
This week's episode is a fun one. You'll get to hear from one of our clients, Bail Ansari of Just One More Project, about her totally unexpected success with virtual summits. She went from having a hobby to being a CEO, she "accidentally" added over 300 members to her membership, and then she did a beta course launch and generated $45,000 in revenue. Not to mention her summit revenue! Tune in to hear the powerful and fast impact a virtual summit can have on your business! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/280
If you think sponsorships have to involve sending cold pitches to a bunch of companies and spending hours on follow-up, think again! In this episode I'm breaking down why I had written off sponsorships for Membership Momentum and how I got one anyway, even without packages or pitching. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/279
It's frustrating to have an offer that you know is amazing that's struggling to take off. That's what today's guest, Heather Levin, was experiencing prior to hosting her first summit. She had an amazing niche, a great membership, but nothing she was doing got it to take off the way she knew it could. The good news is that her first summit completely changed that. Tune in to this episode to hear what made Heather decide to go for it with her first summit, what the experience was like, and how it completely transformed her business. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/278
It's frustrating to have an offer that you know is amazing that's struggling to take off. That's what today's guest, Heather Levin, was experiencing prior to hosting her first summit. She had an amazing niche, a great membership, but nothing she was doing got it to take off the way she knew it could. The good news is that her first summit completely changed that. Tune in to this episode to hear what made Heather decide to go for it with her first summit, what the experience was like, and how it completely transformed her business. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/278
Customer service is a part of summit hosting that most look at as a "necessary evil". It can be hard to read a piece of feedback, detach yourself from what's being said, and keep emotions even while crafting a response. In this episode, Margaux Fraise is here to share how her extensive experience in retail prepared her to handle summit customer service in a way we can all learn from! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/277
Love a good behind the scenes? In this episode I'm sharing 8 key takeaways from our Membership Momentum event. And it's not all rainbows and butterflies! You'll hear some good, but also some ugly. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/276
The energy of hosting a virtual summit is great...but what in the world can we do to keep that momentum up between events? In this episode, we'll hear from Kelly Sinclair about using a Visibility Tour to increase connections, become the go-to expert, open the door to new opportunities, and generate leads in just 10 minutes per day. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/275
Something I hear literally every day is frustration from people who want to host a summit, but honestly don’t have the time for it. I’m not here to brush that off or say that they're making excuses. I know it’s a real struggle. It’s something I've dealt with myself. You’re all trying to grow and sustain what you’ve built, stay consistent with strategies you’re already using, and live your life outside of business. You can’t throw a project as big as a summit into the mix without making some changes or sacrifices. To help, in this episode I'm sharing my 4 favorite ways to save time time in hosting a virtual summit plus one thing you'll need to do before you get started. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/274
I recently had someone ask me how I stay on the ""cutting edge"" of virtual summits to make sure I'm not teaching outdated summit strategies.
As overrated as I feel like the ""cutting edge"" is, I'm peeling back the curtain in this episode and sharing how I do it, what I do with the new information, and why it's not immediately incorporated into our core strategies.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/273
If you have a proven membership that you're ready to scale and bring to the forefront of your business, it's time to host a virtual summit. We've consistently seen our clients add anywhere from 150-500 new members with their summits and in this episode I'll share 7 other reasons that summits and memberships are the perfect pair. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/272
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our upcoming virtual summit!
While I always want my events to go well, I also use them as a chance to experiment with new strategies to see what's working NOW in the virtual summit space.
In this episode I'm sharing the strategy behind my upcoming event, results I'm expecting, how I'm tying in our offers, the purpose behind bringing in a partner, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/271
It's easy for me to show up on the podcast each week and share the big wins and strategies that I know work, but it’s not often that I get to peel back the curtain and share the real side of things that didn’t go so well. This week on the podcast I'm sharing my top 6 virtual summit fails. It includes topics related to pitching big-name speakers, sponsorships, launching a new offer, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/270
I've coached hundreds of summit hosts and rarely see someone who makes it through the entire process without running into resistance. Sometimes, it's resistance with getting started and I'll hear, "I definitely want to join your program and host a summit, but will come back when I feel ready." Other times, it's resistance right before reaching major milestones in the summit-hosting process such as pitching speakers or opening registration. And even as someone who has coached hundreds of clients and hosted all kinds of my own events, I still run into that resistance myself! In this episode, I'm welcoming Alecia St. Germain who pulled back the curtain on what's behind that resistance and imposter syndrome and helped it all make a lot more sense. She also shared a behind-the-scenes look at her own growth and business shifts through the process of hosting 5 virtual summits of her own. This is an episode you won't want to miss! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/269
I always love a good behind-the-scenes look at what other business owners are doing so today I'm sharing some fun details about our recent launch of Challenges That Make Bank! In this episode I'll share what made me go with a beta offer for the first time, why I launched with a webinar, the biggest "oops" moments we had in the launch, final results, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/268
I've talked a lot about how great my team is over the years and today you get to meet some of them for yourselves! I brought all of my employees on to share what they do at Team SIAB, what they do outside of it, their favorite parts of working here, how we work so well together, and more. I know you'll love hearing from Elli, Kate, and Mel! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/267
In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of how my team has evolved over the last 8 years. You'll hear about nearly every hire I've made (the good and the bad), the reasoning behind the hires, and the biggest lessons I've learned while building my dream team. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/266
This episode kicks off a series that will give a fun behind the scenes into the way my business has evolved over the years. My hope is that it will be both interesting and inspirational from a listener standpoint! In this episode I'm sharing the 7 stages my business has gone through over the years and what's coming next. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/265
"Limited-time access feels like a trick." "You send too many emails." "All you do is sell!" Feedback like that hurts, especially when you pay careful attention to always come from a place of serving your audience and running an ethical, values-based business. The thing is, no matter how careful you are, you're going to get negative feedback at some point in your business journey. I've gotten my fair share and in this episode I'm breaking down how I keep it from derailing me (at least most of the time). For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/264
In this episode I've brought in a special guest and Launch with a Summit Accelerator client, Sarah Rosensweet, to share a behind the scenes look at her virtual summit. She pulled back the curtain and shared a side of summit hosting that we don't get to see often - what it looks like to keep pushing forward even when things pop up that make you doubt the entire process. Hear her vision for the event, how she got uncomfortable and niched down, how she stayed true to her vision, and what her final results looked like. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/259
As much as I like to focus on the impact of a virtual summit over the money it makes, we're all running businesses and need to make money, right? The thing is, it's not the all-access pass package, pricing, or sales strategy that matters when it comes to record-breaking amounts of revenue. In this episode I'll break down two higher-level pieces that you need to pay attention to and how they influence the revenue generated through your summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/262
I see so many people stressing out about the number of leads they'll get signed up for their summit...buuut the leads don't matter if it's a terrible experience for them. In this episode, I'll highlight what you probably think about when you're reflecting on the success of your event and then uncover what is truly important so you can change the way you think about your events moving forward. I promise it will release some pressure! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/261
Woohoo! Our new program, Challenges That Make Bank, is HERE! Tune in to hear a little about what it is plus get a behind-the-scenes look at what my process for creating the program looked like, why I got tripped up and sat on the idea for months, and what my launch strategies and goals are. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/260
I've had people give me a hard time over the years for using other strategies when my "thing" is teaching virtual summits. I'll get comments like, "If summits are so great, why do you have to run Facebook ads?" I know most of you have a very strong understanding of why I'd stack multiple strategies together, but it made for a fun podcast episode! Today, I'll break down why I don't rely only on summits, how I found my perfect mix of strategies, and how you can too. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/259
Ever wonder whether a challenge or a summit is a better strategy? As I like to do, I tested it for you! Tune in to this episode to hear a detailed breakdown of the difference between summits versus challenges and how my results compared when I ran them 3 months apart. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/258
When I get in a room with a group of business owners, the one question I always want to ask is, "What's working for you right now?" I know what works for me, but I'm always interested to see where others are finding success. I'm pulling back the curtain this week and sharing the top 4 things that sustain me as a business owner along with the top 5 strategies that grow and sustain our business revenue. If you like a good behind the scenes episode, this is one you won't want to miss! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/257
Time for our 2023 recap episode! You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at my biggest highlights of 2023, lessons learned, strategy shifts we've made, and what's coming next. I'm excited to hear how some of these lessons shift the way you think about your business, too! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/256
Have you ever realized that launches that leave you tired and on the brink of burnout seem totally normal in the online business space? I'll be honest, it's not rare for me to end up sick in the middle of any launch I do...and I know there's a reason for that! The truth is, launches can be luxurious and totally free from burnout if you know how to plan for it from the beginning. To help, I've brought in Chelsea of The Launch Copy Coach to walk us through what a lush and luxurious launch can look like, mistakes we tend to make that get in our way, and how to create your own version of a dreamy launch. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/255
There are so many of you out there who want to use a summit not only to grow your business, but to make an impact. A summit on it's own, when done well, will naturally impact those involved. But sometimes you want to take that impact even further. I have a beautiful example of that on the podcast this week. Hunter Donia is sharing how he was able to raise $25,000 for a meaningful cause thanks to hosting a virtual summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/254
Something I hear a lot when talking to up and coming summit hosts is, "I know your processes and templates would be SO helpful, but I think I'll try it on my own first and, if I like it, I'll join your program afterward." If that's you, I've got a heartfelt episode for you around why I want you to reconsider. Not for the sake of putting money in my pocket, but for the sake of you having an incredible summit-hosting experience, hosting a gold-standard summit, and doubling (or more) the list growth and revenue you generate for your event. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/253
Last week I shared how I use this podcast to grow my virtual summits and we're taking it a step further this week. Podcast strategist and manager, Caroline Hull, is joining me to share how you can tweak your podcast strategy so that it becomes a powerful business tool that consistently leads people to your offers. We'll also break down how to decide whether your podcast needs a revamp as well as how to use a podcast to promote a virtual summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/252
Want to know a GREAT place to look for summit speakers? ...Your podcast! I noticed that I was giving that tip to a lot of summit hosts, which made me reflect on all the ways I use this podcast for our summits. It's a lot more than I'd ever realized! In this episode I'll share some background on this podcast, 6 ways I use this podcast for my virtual summits, and how you can grow your podcast through your summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/251
If you're freaked out by the idea of pitching summit speakers, you're not alone. It can be intimidating to reach out to people you're friends with and sending totally cold pitches brings it to a whole new level.
Since cold pitching is usually involved with creating your dream speaker lineup, I bought in Laura Lopuch to share about her Relevancy Method and how you can use it to send cold pitch emails without the ick. You'll hear why cold pitches are important, what the most important part is that will make someone say "yes", and what it means to send a relevant pitch. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/250
Lately, we've been working closely with clients lately to launch memberships through their virtual summits. We've seen 50, 200, 300, and even 500 members added and it's an incredibly powerful strategy. One strategy I talk with clients about often is incorporating a membership trial into various areas of your summit and today on the podcast, I've brought in Mike Morrison of Membership Geeks to share everything you need to know before trying out the trial strategy. In this episode you'll hear about the power of memberships, the two keys of a membership that works, what you need to know about free trials, and 6 strategies to converting trials to paying members. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/249
Do you hesitate at the thought of selling an offer through your summit? Maybe you worry that you'll look like a bro-marketer or wonder if you're even "allowed" to do it. If that's you, this episode with Kaitlyn Kessler is right up your alley. Join us as we chat through what creates a negative selling mindset, why you might feel uncomfortable selling, how to see the value you provide by selling to your audience, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/248
Many summit hosts go into their first event already knowing exactly who they like to serve and how. But sometimes, a summit helps uncover a new direction that you didn't even know was possible! In this episode, Kimberly Costa is taking us behind the scenes of 3 successful virtual summits. You'll hear what she was afraid of going into her first event, what the results were, how her first summit helped her pinpoint the perfect audience and offer, and more. You'll even get a peek at her 3-step digital product creation process! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/247
Why in the world would I talk about hosting BUNDLES on the Summit Host Hangout Podcast? The truth is, bundles are another great strategy to build your list, revenue, momentum, and connections, just like a summit and the two can go hand-in-hand. Since we've gotten a lot of questions about hosting bundles over the years, today I brought on Kate Doster, creator of the course on bundles, Collaboration Cash-In to share the power of bundles, real numbers behind her events, monetization strategies, the difference in free vs. paid bundles, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/246
"How long does it take to plan a virtual summit?" That's a question I hear all the time and as much as people tend to dislike my answer, I stand by it. Whether you're "just" launching a summit or adding an offer launch on the backend, it's a time investment that is so worth it. In this episode we'll cover what the ideal summit-to-launch timeline looks like, where there's some flexibility, where it's not worth trying to speed things up, and what to do if you speed it up anyways. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/245
If you've got multiple offers that perform well in your business and want to know which one to launch through a virtual summit, this episode is for you! We'll cover the factor you're probably considering that you should ignore along with 6 questions to ask yourself to identify which offer will get you the best results. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/244
Launching through a summit is a powerful strategy for bringing in a flood of new members into your offer. I've seen successful launches for all kinds of offers, but there are a few that stand out as the most effective. In this episode, we'll break down the 3 best types of offers to launch through a summit, plus what to do if you don't have one of them in your offer suite. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/243
In this episode, I'm joined by special guest Lucia Doynel to explore overcoming the fear of being seen and rising as a thought leader through virtual summits.
Lucia shares her deep insights on overcoming the real fear of visibility and being seen so you can go on to host virtual summits and be seen in your business in a way that lights you up.
From there, you'll hear how Lucia went from being turned down for opportunity after opportunity to making her own table through a virtual summit and how that one event opened so many doors.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/242
Join us in this episode as we explore the world of hosting a virtual summit from the ground up. Our guest, Maggie Klaassens, the brilliant mind behind The Sober Summit, organized her first event without a brand, business, audience, or email list. If you've ever doubted whether it's possible to land speakers, questioned your capabilities, or wondered if anyone would sign up, then this episode is perfect for you. Maggie shares her journey, proving that amazing opportunities can arise when you take a leap of faith and trust yourself throughout the process! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/241
Is it worth hosting a virtual summit if you don't have a product or service to launch immediately after the event?
In this episode, I'll reveal why you really don't need a launch offer to benefit from hosting a summit. You'll discover how hosting a summit can massively grow your business on it's own as well as lay the foundation for a successful future launch, setting you up for long-term success.
Tune in to uncover valuable insights and strategies to maximize the impact of your virtual summit, even without an immediate launch offer.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/240
Wondering whether you can host a successful virtual summit as a new or aspiring business owner? Spoiler alert: You can!
In this episode, we address common doubts, discuss what you need (and don't need) for a successful summit, reveal how virtual summits work, even without an existing audience, and go over what kinds of results to expect.
Tune in to uncover the potential of virtual summits and gain actionable insights for your entrepreneurial journey.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/239
Did you have a "failed" launch after your virtual summit?
If so, I know it's a terrible feeling and you might feel like you were "lost in a sea of speakers."
If that's the case, there was a key piece missing in the way you launched your offer. Tune into this episode to hear the top 7 reasons that you didn't make any signature offer sales after your most recent event.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/238
If you're hosting a summit and all-access pass sales are slow, it can be frustrating and make you feel powerless. Usually, the issue boils down to a few key mistakes we see people make with their all-access pass and overall sales strategy.
In this week's episode, we'll cover whether you can turn your summit around if you're currently seeing low all-access pass sales and the 5 most common reasons that no one is buying.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/237
""No one is signing up for my summit! What's going on?!"" If you've ever found yourself thinking this, my heart goes out to you. It is not a good feeling.
If you're in the first couple of days of promotion, it's likely not a big deal. But once you get beyond that it generally means there's some kind of issue.
Today we'll break down the top 7 reasons why no one signed up for your virtual summit and how you can fix it.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/236
Wondering why you're struggling to land speakers for your virtual summit?
It is NOT a good feeling. This is when you put your even out there for the first time and it can be crushing to not get a positive response.
The good news is that there are simple solutions you can implement when you pitch to make sure you hear "yes" far more than "no" (or nothing). Tune in to hear the 5 reasons you're struggling to land speakers for your virtual summit and how to fix it in your next round of pitches.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/235
How many times have you gone to write a social media post, sales page, or even a tagline for your virtual summit and felt like you were totally winging it with what your audience was struggling with and hoping for?
If your answer is "a lot", you're not alone!
To help, Nadine Nethery is on the podcast this week to share how you can truly get to know your audience to easily sell your summit. The good news is that it's automated, easy, and high-impact!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/234
When you hear "summit positioning", what do you think? The name and tagline? Maybe the audience and topic?
The truth is, the way your summit is positioned will come into play in absolutely every aspect of your event. It will affect how speakers respond to your pitches, it will guide the experience you create for your attendees, it will determine whether the offer you're selling afterward is a natural next step, and so much more.
In this episode, I'm joined by Elli Runkles, our Client Success Coach in the Launch with a Summit Accelerator who is an absolute pro when it comes to positioning a virtual summit for success. She's walking us through the same 4-step process she follows with our clients and this is an episode you won't want to miss!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/233
Summits in the crafting industry have been on the rise and it's becoming harder to host an event that stands out. In this episode, Amy Romeu and Jen Swift are sharing how they created an incredibly unique experience through their event positioning that also worked to overcome a pain point their audience tends to have.
In addition, they're taking us behind the scenes and sharing the dynamic between them that led to an incredibly positive co-hosting experience.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/232
Time for a mid-year check-in!
In January, I shared my goals for the year and what I was hoping to step into in 2023. In this episode I'll share progress on those goals, what we've accomplished the first part of the year, and what my biggest areas of growth have been over the past few months.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/231
If you're anything like me, you like to have a full understanding of a program and what you can expect before you join. Sometimes it feels like getting the full picture of larger programs is hard to get so my goal with this episode is to give you a full understanding of what to expect from the Launch with a Summit Accelerator, how to get the most of it, and where it fits in your plans for the year.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/230
Have you ever noticed the way virtual summits can fuel absolutely everything else in your business when you're intentional about it?
In this episode, you'll see exactly what a marketing strategy looks like with a summit included and how your business will just keep feeding itself once you have it down, you’ll see an example of how it has looked in my business, and you’ll know what you want it to look like for you.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/229
If you've hosted a summit before, this one's for you! When you host events, it's easy to get caught up in the immediate results and not leave room to see the long-term benefits it can have on your business. In this episode, I'm going to show you what you've been missing if you've been looking at your event as a 1-off list-builder or cash injection and help you see the wider impact you can make for your business by seeing your events for what they are! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/228
This week we're wrapping up our series where I've been taking you behind the scenes of our client summit. We're changing gears a bit and instead of talking summit strategy, I'm sharing a look at what it was really like to offer done-for-you virtual summit production.
I'll share what our role in the summit was, what the full team looked like, how we communicated and stayed organized, what it was really like, the most challenging parts of the process, lessons learned, and whether it's something we'll do again.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/227
A few months ago, I produced my first business-to-consumer (B2C) virtual summit. Until that point I had hosted 9 events for business owners and often heard people in my audience running B2C businesses viewing their audience as a limitation. I was interested to see how it went and what the differences really were! In this episode, I'll share what I expected going in, what the reality was, why I think having a B2C business gives you an advantage, rather than a limitation, what surprised us most about a B2C summit, and what all of you B2C summit hosts can take away from what we learned. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/226
Prior to our client summit, I had personal experience launching courses and high-ticket programs through virtual summits. Truthfully, I thought that memberships were "less than" and didn't really understand the appeal...but that has changed! In this episode, I'm sharing the truth about launching a membership through a virtual summit, keys to the strategy, and why I think every membership site owner (who enjoys big projects) should give it a try! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/225
One of my big takeaways from the last two summits we've hosted is just how much of a learning experience each event is, no matter how much experience you already have. In this episode, I'm sharing 7 of the primary changes we've made to our virtual summit strategy after our recent events and how you can apply those changes to your own events. I'm covering things like event structure, speaker communication, sponsor packages, promotion, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/224
We're kicking off a series where I'm taking you behind the scenes of a done-for-you client summit we produced back in January and spilling all kinds of juicy details. We're starting off with an episode detailing key takeaways I'm walking away from this event with and how I'm applying those things moving forward. I'll share what I learned by pitching more than 80 speakers, how things not quite going the way we'd planned has changed my approach, how I'm challenging the decisions I make, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/223
What do you think of when you hear the term "pre-launch"? Maybe the 14-30 days leading up to a cart-open period with some extra emails and videos? If that's you, tune in to this episode to hear from Brenna McGowan about how a more strategic pre-launch strategy will build excitement and anticipation for your launch in a way that increases natural interest and allows for more space in buying decisions. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/222
Are you on team evergreen funnel or team live launch? I'd guess you have a preference, but the truth is live launches and evergreen funnels are the perfect match. And what makes it even better is a 3rd piece to the puzzle that a lot of course creators are missing. Tune into this episode with Gemma Bohman-Carter to learn about how to maximize your course sales with a 3-part hybrid marketing method that will catch people when they're ready to buy whether they take quick action, take years to warm up, or are somewhere in between. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/221
As nice as it would be for someone to tell you exactly which offers to create and what strategies to use to build a successful business, that's not how it works. Tune in to this episode with Mariah Coz to hear about creating offers that make sense for what you teach, making sure your offers work together, and giving yourself the space to try different ways of launching to see what performs best for you. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/220
In this episode, we're welcoming Megan Griffith, founder of Neurodivergent Magic, to talk about neurodivergence in virtual summits. Megan shared the wonderful results she saw with her first summit, dove into what it was like to host a summit as someone with autism and ADHD, and brought up what we can incorporate into our own events to make them more accessible for our neurodivergent attendees. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/219
It's easy to go into hosting a summit with pretty selfish goals. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, you definitely need to grow your business, but you also have a major opportunity to make a difference through your event alongside growing your business. In this episode, we'll cover 8 ways you can make a difference through your summit. Everything from donating to causes you care about to highlighting new people and so much more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/218.
Virtual summits aren't exactly known for being the most diverse and values-driven marketing strategies out there. Many hosts fall into the comfortable pattern of following advice they hear and not questioning whether that advice actually aligns with their beliefs. Join me in a thought-provoking and eye-opening discussion with Erica Courdae as we talk about integrating your values into a summit, where summits can be improved from a DEI standpoint, why you shouldn't force yourself to find a diverse range of speakers if that's not who you're surrounded with, how to know if you should pay speakers, and more. This is a discussion I urge you not to miss. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/217
A hidden benefit of hosting a virtual summit is the massive opportunity you create to put your values on display as a way to impact others, teach others, and focus on what you care about most. In this episode we'll talk about the importance of infusing your values into your event, I'll share examples of different values you might want to highlight through a summit and how, and I'll walk you through an exercise to put your values on display in your next event. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/216
As someone who runs a high-volume business, you're looking to make money (of course), but I'm willing to bet that you're also wanting to spread a message, create impact, and make a difference in your industry. Tune into this episode to hear 5 ways that you might desire to make this type of impact and then break down how a summit will help you make it happen. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/215
Many of the common launch strategies out there have you spending money before you launch. It's not a huge deal and those methods work, but wouldn't it be great if the very first sale you made during a launch was adding to profit you were already seeing through the launch method itself? Tune in to this episode to learn how to not only fund your launches, but profit before you start launching, with a virtual summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/214
Most online businesses can benefit from hosting a virtual summit, but are you a part of the group that can really take FULL advantage of the strategy? Find out in this episode where we're breaking down the 3 main things to look at in your business to know if you can take full advantage of this powerful strategy and more! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/213
What's your goal with hosting a virtual summit? Maybe some email list growth and added revenue? In this episode, Shelby DeVore is sharing how she went from a goal of growing her list by 500 people with her first summit to growing her membership by hundreds of paying members by her 4th. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/212
What's your goal with hosting a virtual summit? Maybe some email list growth and added revenue? In this episode, Shelby DeVore is sharing how she went from a goal of growing her list by 500 people with her first summit to growing her membership by hundreds of paying members by her 4th. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/212
"You've worked hard for a couple months to plan an incredible event, put together an incredible lineup of speakers, and now it’s time for it to all start paying off.
You set some big goals that you’re nervous and know that on Day 1 of promotion, your audience is going to be all over the event you created. Except…maybe they’re not.
And that’s where this episode comes in. I’ll share a few experiences with this I’ve been a part of, we’ll talk about what doesn’t matter in those first few days of promotion, and what you should be looking at instead.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/211"
It's easy to look at the promotion requirements you see other summit hosts place on their speakers and blindly assume it's the ""right"" thing to do.
But that may not be the case. In this episode, we'll break down when it actually makes sense to require promotion of your summit speakers.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/210
Come behind the scenes as I share a little look into a type of goal setting that's new to me! Rather than focusing on numbers and launches, you'll hear how I'm creating space and owning my offers in 2023 by letting go of what's not serving me and stepping into what is.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/209
Come behind the scenes as I share a little look into a type of goal setting that's new to me! Rather than focusing on numbers and launches, you'll hear how I'm creating space and owning my offers in 2023 by letting go of what's not serving me and stepping into what is.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/209
Every summit is a learning experience and I'm so excited to share some of my biggest takeaways from the event we hosted in December 2022.
Tune in to hear about what it was like to host a summit in December, to use the event to launch a high-ticket program, and more!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/208
Every summit is a learning experience and I'm so excited to share some of my biggest takeaways from the event we hosted in December 2022.
Tune in to hear about what it was like to host a summit in December, to use the event to launch a high-ticket program, and more!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/208
You know that virtual summits are powerful in terms of list growth, revenue, visibility, and ongoing benefits...but have you ever looked at your summit as an asset you can sell?
Get a behind the scenes look at how I sold my original summit brand, what I think made it sellable, and even hear the buyer's side of the story!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/207
Have you ever felt like you're not a big enough deal to land ""big name"" speakers for your summit?
I'm happy to tell you that that is not at all the case.
Tune in to this week's episode to hear why your own audience size and level of success don't determine the speakers you can land and what the true secret is to landing ""big name"" speakers for your next virtual summit.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/206
If there's one thing I've learned about business over the past 7 years, it's that no strategy is going to work exactly the same way forever. The way we structured our websites, ran our webinars, and used social media back when I first started are all drastically different than what those same things look like today. And the same applies to virtual summits. These strategies and what works change constantly and today I'm going to share the biggest ways I've seen virtual summits evolve in 2022. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/205
If you've ever wondered whether a summit that doesn't teach people to make money can be successful, we have the answer for you in today's episode. Abbi Kirsten, host of the Cricut Craftfest Summit, is here to share a behind the scenes look at her wildly successful event. She's pulling back the curtain and sharing the numbers behind, how the second summit compared to the first, and how taking care of her speakers and attendees plays a role in her success. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/204
Using a summit to launch your course, membership, or group program is powerful, but it's important to have the correct expectations set. In this short-and-sweet episode, we'll talk about why expectations tend to be too high, what results to actually expect, and the true power of hosting a virtual summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/203
In our talk of using virtual summits to launch a scalable offer you might have noticed that I usually reference launching a "proven" offer. Today we're going to break down why that is. We'll cover why your offer should be proven before you launch with a summit, I'll share my experience with it, and I'll address anyone who thinks it's a good idea because "you're going to run a summit no matter what". For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/202
Ready to go beyond basic social media and email list promotion for your summit and be proactive about your results?
In this episode, we're welcoming Victoria Boyd as she shares how she created a lead list for her summit in 30-minutes per day and used Instagram DM conversations to build buzz around her summit, increase registrations, boost sales, and connect with her attendees.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/201
I can't believe that you're looking at episode 200 of the Summit Host Hangout Podcast. Thank you so much for being here!
I wanted to do something special to celebrate, so in this episode, I'm taking you behind-the-scenes of the journey of Summit in a Box.
I'll talk about everything from the initial idea for this company and how it grew, how our offers have evolved, balancing work and kids, my family's understanding of what I do, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/200
I'm so excited to announce that Sell with a Summit: Course Creator Edition is back! This time for intermediate to advanced course creators who want to use a high-converting summit to scale their course sales.
In this episode, I'll share a behind-the-scenes look at how this event came to be and its journey of it as well as some details of the event.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/199
Every once in a while we have an opportunity to adopt a strategy that is ultra-effective before everyone else catches on. Right now, we have that opportunity with chatbots - especially as far as virtual summits are concerned.
Join Nadine Anderson and I as we talk through her 3-part chatbot marketing strategy for virtual summits.
In addition, we'll cover how chatbots work, how to keep from being spammy, and a couple of Nadine's favorite ways to use bots outside of summits.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/198
Have you heard the claim that free virtual summits attract "low-quality leads" or "freebie seekers"? Or maybe you've even believed it yourself?
In this sass-filled episode, I'm breaking down why you'll hear some influencers make this claim, whether it's true, and how to make sure it's not the case for your virtual summit so you can see both short-term and long-term results from hosting your event.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/197
After running 6 in-person conferences, Dominique Falla from the Typism Lettering Community made the decision to take her event online.
With that change, what she was used to with other types of events, and the results she'd seen us talk about here at Summit in a Box, there came some uncertainty around whether she'd be able to get anyone besides her speakers signed up and whether certain strategies would work out.
Despite that uncertainty, she stayed the course, followed our summit-hosting system, and crushed every single goal she set with her event.
Tune in to this week's episode to get a behind-the-scenes look at her event and the results, hear about the keys to her success, and learn the biggest thing that surprised her about speaker promotion.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/196
"What's the difference between a free summit and paid conference?"
This is a question I get asked a LOT and until recently, I didn't have a great answer. I was able to share guesses, but I wasn't comfortable saying too much since I didn't have results of my own to compare to.
However, now that I've run my own paid conference, I'm excited to share what the differences are.
In this episode, I'll give the short answer to the question, we'll break down the differences piece-by-piece, and talk about where each of these two strategies can fit into your business.
We had a lot of surprises come up as we put together our first paid event, but the thing that surprised us the most was how the marketing, positioning, and promotion of a paid conference felt way more like a launch of a high-ticket program than a free summit. The energy and thought process behind it was entirely different!
Join Elli and I this week as we break this down and walk through each piece of what surprised us the most of putting on our first paid event.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/194
No matter your audience, you've probably run into questions around how your audience would receive a virtual summit.
Will they like what I created? Will they be mad I'm trying to make money while I help them? Will they buy my all-access pass?
For more budget-conscious audiences, these questions can be enough to make you wonder whether a summit is even the right move for you.
That's why I'm excited to introduce you to Bryson Tarbet, host of the Elementary Music Summit. He went into the summit planning process with a lot of very valid questions about how his event would be received. He worked through those questions and hosted a values-driven event that made a lasting impact on his audience of teachers as well as his speakers, and blew past every goal he set.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/193
Since I teach about summits, people often assume that I don't deal with the normal mindset issues that come up for everyone else. But that is totally not the case.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the 5 biggest fears I had before launching a premium course through a summit for the first time along with one fear I didn't worry about that I definitely should have.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/192
Hosting a virtual summit is a powerful way to connect with peers in a way that can lead to powerful collaborations, opportunities, and friendships down the road.
However, it's easy to let those connections and relationships fade once the event is over and miss out on much of the opportunity that a summit can bring.
In this episode, collaboration consultant Amelia Roberts is sharing how we can build on the relationships we have with our speakers in an organized way that won't zap all your energy.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/191
Recently, I worked up a presentation outline of different marketing strategies and where they fit in a funnel. When I got to a summit, my mind was blown all over again when I realized just how effectively a summit serves as an entire funnel, from lead generation to launch.
In this episode, we'll cover what a funnel is, what the strategies we're used to using include, and how a virtual summit is a full-funnel all by itself.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/190
You couldn't host your virtual summit without your speakers, which means you couldn't have an incredible launch without them either.
But...are speakers bothered when you use a summit to lead into a launch? The truth is, it depends on how you do it!
In this episode, I'll cover what to avoid when you're launching through a summit and my top tips for making sure speakers are comfortable with your launch.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/189
Hosting a virtual summit takes a good amount of time and attention, while also leading you through a brand new process and experience. The truth is, it's not uncommon to end up feeling overwhelmed.
But it doesn't have to be that way. Today, I have a special guest, Stacy Brookman, to talk about how to use resilient time management to launch your virtual summit and how you can choose to avoid overwhelm.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/188
Hosting a virtual summit that no one signed up for is...not fun. But the truth is, it happens. The good news is that there's always a reason for it.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the top two reasons that no one signed up for your summit, how to fix it, and what this looked like in real numbers for one of our Summit in a Box Accelerator clients.
If you haven’t hosted a summit yet, this is still a great one for you to listen to because you’ll get to hear about what to avoid without having to learn it the hard way.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/187
I've tried a ton of different marketing methods and participating in other peoples' bundles has been one of my favorite ways to grow my audience. So earlier this year, I decided it was time to run my own!
In this episode, I'm breaking down my take on virtual summits versus bundles. I'll share why I decided to do a bundle, the results, what I liked and didn't like, what I could have done differently, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/183
Virtual summits are a powerful addition to any online business, but they can also be the foundation of your business.
This week, hear about how our client, Laurie Acker, doubled the size of her membership with one launch, grew her email list to 10k subscribers in two years, 10x-ed her annual revenue, and is changing an entire industry by hosting quarterly one-day events.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/185
I'm often asked how I "do it all", which always makes me laugh because I don't. But I wanted to give a more in-depth answer today because I know there are so many of you who don't have full-time hours to dedicate to a virtual summit and want to know how you can make it happen.
So today, I'll cover the 4 keys that allowed me to host a virtual summit on part-time hours.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/184
Did you notice we're hosting a paid event and wonder what in the world I think I'm doing? I figured you would.
Join me in a behind-the-scenes episode as I share why we're hosting a paid conference, my goals with it, and who I believe paid events are the best fit for.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/186
We’ve been talking more and more about using a virtual summit to launch a course, membership, or high-ticket group program. And people tend to take my word for it that this strategy works for a course or membership, but I do get questions about it working for higher ticket programs. People ask if it really works, if they should host a paid event for a high-ticket offer, and there’s just generally a lot of doubt.
So today, I've brought in my presenting sponsor from my most recent summit, Shannon Mattern, who used my summit to launch her high-ticket program.
So today, we’re going to cover, hesitations or doubts Shannon had, how it compared to some of her other launch strategies, why we used my summit to launch Shannon’s program, what this partnership looked like, and the results.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/182
Once you have a proven course, membership, or group program, your next goal becomes getting that offer in front of fresh eyes. And that's where we tend to jump on the hamster wheel of creating content and trying every lead-generation strategy out there.
The good news is, with a virtual summit, you don't have to find yourself in that exhausting cycle.
Tune into this week's episode to learn 4 reasons why you should be hosting a virtual summit for your course, membership site, or group program.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/181
If you’re here, there’s a high likelihood that you’re someone who doesn’t fall for a lot of the virtual summit myths that are always floating around. However, it's possible that you believe some of them, at least to some extent, and are letting them hold you back from going all-in on summits and especially for using them as a way to launch your signature offer. So today, we're going to do a little myth-busting. I'll share where I think these myths came from, what they are, how we help our clients avoid them, and we'll make sure they're busted!
For show notes or resources mentioned, head to https://summithosthangout.com/180
Here at Summit in a Box, we're all about giving you the templates, trainings, and tutorials you need to make hosting your summit as easy as possible.
But have you ever considered how something like content batching can free up a ton of time and mental space throughout the month to do the same thing?
Today on the podcast, we have Amanda Warfield to share what content batching is, how it gives you the space to prepare for a summit without ghosting your audience, how you can use it to feature your speakers, and how to get started with batching your own content.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/179
Throughout my time running the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group, I have gotten to see so many different summit strategies in action and the results they bring. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. And, of course, I always have the inside scoop for what kinds of results my clients and students are seeing. As much as I believe in my strategies, I am always surprised at what a drastic difference there is in results.
A little while back, I hosted a Facebook live that shared how our clients consistently host summits that triple industry-standard conversion rates and that’s what I’m going to share with you today.
For show notes and resources, head to https://summithosthangout.com/178
There are a lot of business models out there, but the most important thing is that the model you choose and the way you approach it aligns with YOUR values.
In this episode, Lisa Princic of Scaling Deep, joined me to chat about what it means to her to grow and market a membership based on her values, common challenges with this model, and her experience with using a summit to launch a membership.
For show notes and resources, head to: https://summithosthangout.com/177
That's a wrap! My March 2022 virtual summit is all said and done and I'm excited to break down the results for you in this episode.
I'll share our exact numbers, why I think this event was so different than last year's, what worked well, what didn't, and more.
For show notes and resources, head to: https://summithosthangout.com/176
After months of planning, it's finally here! Join Kate and I as we take you behind the scenes of what our live summit week looked like.
We'll cover what went on each day, what each of us were focused on, and what happened when my team had to run everything without me.
For show notes and resources, head to: https://summithosthangout.com/175
This week's episode is taking you behind the scenes of what the week before our summit looked like.
I'll share the finishing touches that were happening, how encouraging speakers was a main focus, an what our numbers look like.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/174
In this week's episode, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the first week of speaker promotion. Overall, I finally started feeling better about the event this week and found that making a few small changes (and looking at the correct numbers in Google Analytics) made a big difference!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/173
My summit registration is open and while the numbers aren't bad, they aren't what I was hoping for.
In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what my numbers are looking like and how I'm focusing on solutions over problems and data over drama. (Not that I didn't take a day to sulk about it.)
For show notes and resources, head to https://summithosthangout.com/172.
No matter how many times you've hosted your virtual summit, you NEED to test. There is so much room for small details to be missed and it's simply not worth the risk.
In this week's behind-the-scenes episode, I'm sharing how I tested my summit, the issues I found, how collecting presentations is going, and more.
For snow notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/171.
Registration for my next virtual summit is drawing near, which means I've had a heavy focus on organizing and incorporating my sponsor activations.
In this episode we'll cover how I'm keeping my sponsorship activations organized and how the process is going, finalizing my speaker lineup, speaker communication, and some final website updates.
https://summithosthangout.com/170
You've got the perfect speaker lineup and you're ready for your summit to happen...but...then someone drops out. Now what? In this behind-the-scenes episode, I'll share my favorite ways to fill a spot that opens in your summit schedule, whether it's a month out or a few days out from your event. We'll also touch on sending speaker update emails as well as conducting interviews.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/169
I’m excited to announce today that my team and I have been hard at work preparing to open up the doors to a brand new program very soon. It will give you access to the entire Summit in a Box System, along with high-touch support on a level we’ve never offered before.
In addition, we're hosting a private training on April 26 (replay will be available for those of you listening after the fact) that will cover our 3 part framework for replacing your slow-growth marketing with a virtual summit that leads into your biggest course launch yet and sets you up for even more post-summit profits in the months that follow.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/accelerator
You've got your speakers and you know their topics. Now it's time to put it all together in a way that makes sense and provides the smoothest possible transformation for attendees.
In this behind-the-scenes episode, you'll hear about the process I used to take my group of 35 speakers and put together a meaningful event schedule.
In addition, I'll share an update on sponsorships and speakers, how I'm handling affiliates, and some smaller tasks I tackled.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/168
Remember how last week I said that I wasn't going to pursue summit sponsorships?
Well, in this week's episode, I'm talking through how I onboarded $8k in sponsorships with two more potential sponsors in the pipeline.
We'll walk through how each of the 4 sponsors came to be, what the onboarding process looked like, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/167
In this week's behind the scenes episode, we're covering my speaker pitching process.
While a lot of hosts send all of their pitches at once, I like to sort speakers into several rounds to increase the likelihood of anyone I don't know well feeling comfortable enough to say "yes".
In this episode we'll also cover some final tasks I completed before pitching and what my payment plan stats looked like for last year's all-access pass.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/166
After you decide who you want to invite to speak at your summit, you can go ahead and pitch them, right?
Technically, you could. But to give them a great experience, look like you have your act together, and answer questions before they even come up, there's more work to do before the pitch emails go out.
In this episode, I'm sharing a behind the scenes look at what all I did in preparation for pitching summit speakers.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/165
Deciding who to pitch for your summit can either be super easy or a fairly complex process. But going the extra mile will very likely have a positive impact on your summit results.
In this episode, I'll walk you through my full 7-step process to go from a blank spreadsheet to deciding exactly who to pitch for my event. It's not easy, but it's worth it!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/164
We're 163 episodes into this podcast and I think it's time that we try something a little different.
Instead of throwing a bunch of strategy at you, in this new series I'm going to take you along with me as I plan and host my next virtual summit.
In this first episode, we'll cover the background of my event, initial project planning, how partners were involved (and then not), goal setting, and some fun changes I'm planning to make this time around.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/163
We're all used to seeing virtual summits hosted in a specific way. The structure of the event, the way affiliate payouts work, presentation structure, and more tend to be the same.
But what if those go-to strategies aren't quite right for your audience?
In this podcast episode, Tenae Stewart is joining us to share about her incredibly successful Empowered Modern Witches Summit. In it, she changed up everything from free-access length, all-access pass pricing, speaker earnings, and more. This is an episode you don't want to miss.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/161
You've heard about the power of niching down for a virtual summit, but this summit host took it even further and found an unserved sub-niche within an already specific audience.
In this episode, you'll hear how Samantha Radford found an underserved part of a niche audience, hosted an incredibly helpful and impactful event for them, and saw higher conversion rates because of it.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/161
If you've ever doubted that B2C summits can work and make an impact, this episode is for you.
Today, we're talking with Brandi Mahon about her Card Maker Success Summit, which not only changed her life and business, but her entire industry.
In this episode, we'll dive into details around Brandi's summit, how she worked with speakers who weren't used to summits and didn't have email lists, how she landed sponsors, and how her entire industry is changing as a result of her event.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/160
The more shareable a virtual summit is, the better. Sure, you want your speakers and affiliates to be excited to share, but what if your attendees can't help but show off what they're learning and doing during your event?
To start a new series featuring B2C summits, Anastasia Sharova is here to talk about her Food as Medicine summit.
In this episode, Anastasia shared why she went with the live event format, the 3 types of sessions the event had and how the attendees liked them, what made her event super shareable, and the potential she sees for other B2C summits.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/159
Having connections to reach out to when summit planning is enough to make the entire process flow more smoothly, specifically when it comes to creating your speaker lineup.
It is totally possible to create a lineup of speakers without it feeling transactional, forced, or awkward. To break down a step-by-step system that you can maintain in 5-minutes a day is Michelle Warner, the creator of Networking That Pays.
In this episode, we'll cover why traditional networking feels gross, how it is for far more than landing new clients, what her 4-step system looks like, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/158
Today we're wrapping up our virtual summit tech series with a rapid-fire Q&A episode.
We'll cover things like what to do with your registration page once the summit starts, what to do with your domain if you run multiple summits, how to make fillable worksheets for all-access pass holders, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/157
ThriveCart is hands-down my top recommendation for your summit's cart and affiliate management platform.
You can totally make it work with all kinds of others out there, but if it's in your budget and you're looking for something new, ThriveCart will not disappoint.
In this episode, we'll walk through why ThriveCart is a great fit for summits, keys to setting up your cart and affiliate management, and features I've used to increase my all-access pass conversion rates.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/156
Wondering how to make your all-access pass's fast-action offer expire after 15-minutes? Or how to automate a price increase?
In this episode, we'll break down tech for limited-time offers and price increases in your virtual summit.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/155
Wondering how to make your all-access pass's fast-action offer expire after 15-minutes? Or how to automate a price increase?
In this episode, we'll break down tech for limited-time offers and price increases in your virtual summit.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/155
In a typical virtual summit, attendees have access to each presentation video for 24-hours. However, if they choose to upgrade to the all-access pass, that window gets extended.
But how in the world does that work?
In this episode, we'll break down how to manage 24-hour versus ongoing access to virtual summit presentations.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/154
The right tech tools have a big part to play in how easy it is to manage your speakers. Because, let's be real, trying to get material from 20+ people by a certain deadline can get a little scary.
In this episode, we'll cover the tools you need and my top recommendations for everything from your initial speaker outreach to creating presentations.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/153
Wondering how fancy your virtual summit's presentation videos really need to be? Not sure what tech to use to record and host?
In this episode, we'll chat about everything you need to know about your virtual summit videos. The good news? It's all nice and easy.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/152
You've probably seen a virtual summit offer MP3 recordings as a part of the all-access pass. The thing is, MP3s aren't easy to keep track of and listen to for most people.
In this episode, Lindsay Padilla, founder of Hello Audio, is here to talk about how offering a private podcast feed for your summit is an incredibly powerful way to make your summit easy to consume, while increasing its value.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/151
You've probably seen a virtual summit offer MP3 recordings as a part of the all-access pass. The thing is, MP3s aren't easy to keep track of and listen to for most people.
In this episode, Lindsay Padilla, founder of Hello Audio, is here to talk about how offering a private podcast feed for your summit is an incredibly powerful way to make your summit easy to consume, while increasing its value.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/151
You've probably seen a virtual summit offer MP3 recordings as a part of the all-access pass. The thing is, MP3s aren't easy to keep track of and listen to for most people.
In this episode, Lindsay Padilla, founder of Hello Audio, is here to talk about how offering a private podcast feed for your summit is an incredibly powerful way to make your summit easy to consume, while increasing its value.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/151
You've probably seen a virtual summit offer MP3 recordings as a part of the all-access pass. The thing is, MP3s aren't easy to keep track of and listen to for most people.
In this episode, Lindsay Padilla, founder of Hello Audio, is here to talk about how offering a private podcast feed for your summit is an incredibly powerful way to make your summit easy to consume, while increasing its value.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/151
Circle is an incredible modern community platform that has been growing in popularity lately.
You've probably seen it used to host communities for memberships and courses...but have you ever considered using it to host a summit?
Today, we have Moira Cleary to share how the setup worked, the unique features of Circle she used, pros, cons, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/150
Thinking of hosting a virtual summit on Kajabi? It's a great option if you're already familiar with the platform or starting from scratch, want a ton of flexibility, and prefer for all of your tools to be in one spot.
In this episode, we'll cover what it looks like to host a pre-recorded virtual summit on Kajabi, how the pieces fit together to make it easy, and tech integrations you'll need.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/149
Thinking of hosting a virtual summit on WordPress? It's a great option if you're already familiar with the platform and want a ton of flexibility for a reasonable price.
In this episode, we'll cover what it looks like to host a pre-recorded virtual summit on WordPress, how the pieces fit together, my favorite plugins for the major functionalities you need, and a few external tech integrations you'll need to have.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/148
With a big task like setting up your virtual summit's website, it's nice to know what you need before diving in. In this episode, we'll cover the must-have pages on a virtual summit website.
We'll talk about 5 must-have pages and what they are, a few that are more in the "nice to have" category, and I'll share a couple of bonus website tips.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/147
Hosting a virtual summit is something that requires a lot of tools and software. If you're not familiar with the process, you'll find yourself running into one thing after another that you didn't realize you needed.
To make the process smooth, in this episode we'll go through an overview of the tech you need for a virtual summit.
We'll cover the major pieces of tech you need to have covered, why you need it, and I'll share my favorite tools for each.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/146
Let's wrap up our series on post-summit topics with a rapid fire Q&A.
We'll cover things like how many emails to send once your summit is over, what to have on the website, how long to wait before hosting another summit, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/145
What if the 3+ months of work you put into a virtual summit didn't have to stop bringing in results once the initial event was over?
With an evergreen summit, your one-and-done event can continue running as long as you want it to. And it's easy!
In this episode, Jenn Zellers is back to share what an evergreen summit is, how to make a summit evergreen, and the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to ongoing marketing.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/144
You ran an incredible virtual summit and have all kinds of new ideal audience members on your email list. But now what?
What you don't want to do is get to the end of your summit and realize that you don't have a plan for the new audience you've built.
Today we'll go over what not to do with your new audience, what to do if you do and don't have an offer to sell, and a way to leverage your summit community.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/143
Was your virtual summit a total flop? Maybe you didn't hit your registration goal, you made less revenue than you expected, or you're frustrated that your speakers didn't promote.
I know it's not fun to think about. You put in way too much work for it to be a total flop.
But what if you could turn it into a win instead?
There are two ways you can look at a "failed" event and we're going to cover them both and how you can move forward in today's episode.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/142
When you host a virtual summit not only are you doing a lot of work, but you're creating an extremely high-value resource that doesn't need to end once the live run of the summit does.
Instead of letting your summit become a thing of the past, repurpose the content!
There are all kinds of ways you can do it. Some nice and easy, some more complex. Today we'll break down 9 ways to repurpose your summit content.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/141
Want to host a profitable virtual summit without relying on paid ads? Whether you want to skip paid advertising altogether or layer other strategies on top of your ads, it is totally possible.
In this episode, Margaux Fraise is sharing how she brought in $20k in profit in her first virtual summit without any paid advertising by leveraging community and connection.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/140
It's easy to get caught up on the number of followers you have, your summit registration goal, and the profit you see once your event is over.
But what we often miss is the impact authenticity and connections can have in everything we do.
When it comes to a virtual summit, this can show up in how you approach speakers, how you promote, the way you connect with attendees during the event, and what results you focus on after.
In this episode, we have Mia Lauren to walk us through why authenticity matters over vanity metrics in your summit, on Instagram, and in your business as a whole.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/139
Have questions about virtual summit speakers? I've got answers for you in today's speaker-specific rapid-fire Q&A episode.
We'll cover questions like:
- Have you had speakers drop out when you send an agreement?
- How can I convince speakers if I don’t pay them?
- What do I do if a speaker asks for the full email list?
- Can I use presentations in my membership?
And a whole lot more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/138
There's a widespread strategy where virtual summit hosts pitch speakers and, at the bottom of the email, mention that a list size of at least 5000 subscribers is required.
So the pitch goes something like, “I love what you do, I’d love for you to provide value to my audience, they’ll love you, but all of that is only true if you have 5000 people on your email list”.
You've probably already caught the direction that this episode is going to go, but today we'll break down whether you can require a certain email list size from virtual summit speakers.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/136
How many virtual summit speaking opportunities have you said "yes" to and regretted later? ...I'm definitely counting on two hands.
This happens because speakers feel obligated to say "yes" to opportunities that aren't truly a good fit. Then, it turns into an obligation that you're annoyed by a few weeks later.
There are 5 areas to look at before saying "yes" to a speaking opportunity: the host, your availability, the fit, the likelihood that you'll benefit, and your desire to participate.
We'll break each of those down in this episode!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/136
It's not rare to hear virtual summit hosts complain about how little their speakers promoted.
Newsflash: The blame should never be placed on the speakers when that happens.
It's up to you as the host to make it EASY for speakers to promote. This includes both the act of promoting as well as their desire to actually do it.
The strategy for how to make promotion easy for speakers isn't simple, but it's worth the effort. In this episode, we'll cover the #1 reason speakers don't promote, how to make promotion easy for your speakers, and examples of the three summits I've gone hard with promotion for and why.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/135
Odds are, when you start pitching virtual summit speakers there's going to be a handful that you don't hear back from right away.
What should you do in that case? Follow-up? Assume they're not interested?
In this episode, we'll dive into whether you should follow-up with virtual summit speakers after pitching, when to do it and how many times, and I'll share my favorite no-pressure follow-up strategies.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/134
No summit attendee is going to sit through 20 boring interviews. If your interviews aren't energized, focused, and actionable it's just not gonna happen.
The good news is that your interview-style summit can be just as action-packed as a summit with all slides-based presentations. But you have to conduct the interviews in a way that will make it happen.
In this episode, we'll cover how to decide whether the interview format is right for you, the top interview mistakes to avoid, how to conduct actionable interviews, and I'll share a peek at my interview outline.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/133
It's common to decide to host a virtual summit and only think as far as the immediate list growth and all-access pass revenue you'll see. But what a lot of hosts miss is the opportunity to treat their summit as a full funnel all in one.
In this episode, Dama Jue is here to talk about what it means to position your summit to act as a funnel and the #1 key to a summit that brings attendees to paying customers.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/132
Looking to reach your biggest course launch ever with a virtual summit?
I'm not going to say there's a right way to use a summit to launch your course, but there are definitely some wrong ways.
In this episode, we'll cover the 3 biggest mistakes I see when using a virtual summit to launch a course and how to avoid them to have a successful, feel-good launch.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/131
If you've run in-person events and are ready to go virtual, there can be a bit of a learning curve.
What's different between the two? How do I keep attendees engaged? Can I still reach my goals?
Today, Natasha Wright is breaking down all of that and more so you can feel confident in the process of bringing your in-person event experience online.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/130
You know you can grow your virtual summit by running ads, promoting to your audience, and getting speakers to promote, but what other options are there?
In this episode, Liz Flemming is breaking down how to leverage the media to organically gain traction for your event. Whether you already have media connections or PR has been on your to-do list, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/129
I have good news for you. Landing sponsors for your virtual summit doesn't have to be complicated or feel slimy. It can be an experience that feels great for you and your sponsors while presenting incredible resources to your attendees.
To break down feel-good brand sponsorships and how to approach them with a "transformation over transaction" mindset, Chelsea Clarke is on the podcast to share her experience and how, in her very first summit, she landed $15,000 in summit sponsorships without uncomfortable sales calls.
She's also got a mind-blowing bonus tip at the end about how to flip your summit on its head after the initial launch to bring in even more income. Don't miss it!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/128
In the last episode, we talked about how to use a Facebook group to increase virtual summit engagement and why it's so important.
Today, we'll go through the most frequently asked questions I see around hosting a summit community. This includes things like when to open and close your group, whether the group should be specific to the summit, whether you can host your entire summit in the group, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/127
Engagement is a major key of hosting a profitable and community-building virtual summit. One of the best ways to boost engagement is through having a Facebook group (or other community) just for the summit.
In this episode, we'll cover why you need a community for your summit, how to create a thriving community, getting attendees to join, and tips for managing it all.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/126
It is hard to host a profitable summit that skyrockets your email list without speaker promotion. Like, really hard. Maybe even impossible if you don't have a ton of money to throw into paid ads.
But here's the thing...it's not your speakers' responsibility to make your summit successful.
It is yours.
In this episode we'll cover two directions summit hosts take when speakers aren't promoting, why playing the blame game and pressuring your speakers isn't okay, and what to do instead.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/125
Not sure how to fit in a virtual summit with an already busy side-hustle? It's all about how you manage your time.
Kari Roberts joined me in this episode to talk about how she hosted a summit without stressing herself out as a side-hustler. Her 3-step process is about to make your summit prep go a whole lot more smoothly.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/124
Selling an all-access pass is a little different than your typical digital product. Let’s clear up some confusion with a rapid-fire Q&A covering the top all-access pass questions I get. We’ll talk about when to give buyers access, when to expect attendees to upgrade, how to handle lifetime access, what to do with your fast-action price once the summit starts, and whether to give free access to your speakers.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/123
All-access pass tech doesn’t have to be scary, but it can seem like a lot. Today on the podcast, we’ll break down everything you need to know about your all-access pass tech and logistics.
We’ll cover a walk-through of what the backend of your all-access pass setup should look like, what tech goes into that, and I’ll share my recommended tech options.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/122
You've got an incredible all-access pass offer ready to go for your virtual summit...but how in the world do you decide what to charge?
There are definitely strategies that do and don't work for pricing an all-access pass. In today's episode, we'll cover the biggest pricing mistakes I see, the general price range I recommend, and how to decide how to price the all-access pass offer you've created.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/121
An all-access pass is a powerful way to make revenue through a virtual summit, but only if you do it the right way.
It is totally possible to create an all-access pass that has your attendees jumping for the "buy now" button, but it's also possible to make one that totally flops.
In this episode, we'll cover where an all-access pass fits in your summit, the low-converting offer I see far too much, what a high-converting all-access pass looks like, and keys to ensure your attendees hit that "buy now" button.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/120
The more mini-conversions you can build into your summit, the better results you'll see. And bonus points if those mini-conversions can be super fun for your attendees!
Today, we have Jenn Zellers to talk to us about using a simple quiz as a way to segment presentations and increase attendee engagement and results.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/119
You can create an incredible digital experience through a virtual summit, but have you considered what it would look like to bring a physical element into the mix?
Today, we have special guest, Mark Stern, on the podcast to talk about utilizing custom boxes to create an incredible experience and increase engagement for your summit attendees.
We're covering everything from why a custom box is so powerful to what to include in yours.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/118
When is the last time you thought outside the box to go above-and-beyond in getting your audience to engage with you and your brand?
Today, I'm bringing in Jordan Aspen to talk about what she sees as the best-kept secret in increasing your virtual summit engagement.
And the best part? You don't have to add to what's already on your to-do list. You'll simply tweak the way that you're doing things to see your results skyrocket.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/117
Anyone can wake up one day and decide to host a summit. They can randomly decide where to start, take off with no real direction, and put in an insane amount of hours into an event that totally flops.
And...I kinda don’t want that to be you.
The steps we’re going to talk about in today’s episode are the steps you need to take to start your work toward an event that is actually going to get the results you are hoping for.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/116
I love a good behind the scenes look and that's what we're getting today.
Anchen le Roux is joining us to share her experience hosting a brand new summit, seeing a 16% all-access pass conversion rate, and more than doubling all-access pass revenue with sponsors. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/115
That's a wrap! I can't believe my latest virtual summit is over, and I'm taking you behind-the-scenes in this episode to spill all the details.
We'll cover things like how the summit was set up, exact numbers, what went well, what I'll change next time, and lessons I learned along the way.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/114
If speaking at virtual summits is part of your visibility plan, it's important that you make yourself into a good summit speaker.
Being a good summit speaker will ensure that hosts ask you to come back to their events, refer you to other hosts, and it will make the process easier and more beneficial for you too!
In this episode, we'll cover what not to do as a summit speaker, what summit hosts really want from speakers, and how to make the process easy on yourself.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/113
It used to be standard for virtual summit hosts to share the full attendee list with all of the speakers. But with GDPR, all of the privacy rules today, and modern marketing tactics, what's the right answer?
Today, we'll break down whether or not you should share the full attendee list with virtual summit speakers.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/112
As long as bad speaker pitches keep going out, we'll have more and more people thinking poorly about virtual summits.
To help, let's cover the 4 mistakes to avoid when pitching virtual summit speakers and turn a "gross, heck no" into a "heck yes!"
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/111
I know what it's like to get a big idea and want to do it, like, yesterday. For a lot of business owners, a virtual summit is one of those big ideas.
With that initial excitement comes disappointment when they hear that I recommend a 90-day timeline for planning and launching a summit.
From there, I tend to hear, "Well...can I host a virtual summit in less than 90 days?"
We'll break it down in this episode and cover why I recommend a 90-day timeline, what the biggest pieces of that timeline include, sacrifices you'll need to make by doing it faster, and corners you can cut when 90-days just isn't in the cards.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/110
Thinking about hosting a live or paid virtual event?
Jordan Gill, host of the Done in a Day Interview Series is joining us today to give us a behind-the-scenes look at how she uses a live, paid virtual event to love on her people and bring new members into her group coaching program.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/109
A virtual summit is the one strategy that can skyrocket your email list, income, visibility, expert status, AND connections - all at once.
It’s an insanely powerful strategy that can also get complex.
It’s true, a virtual summit funnel has a lot of moving pieces, but if you’re already running a business I know it’s nothing you can’t handle.
The thing is, a lot of summit hosts don’t even think about their overall funnel. They decide a virtual event is something they want to host and dive in without giving the bigger strategy a passing thought.
You can still be successful that way, but starting with the overall funnel in mind will work wonders in getting you to where you want to be after your virtual summit is over.
So how do you create a profitable virtual summit funnel that converts? We'll chat through the entire process in this episode.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/108
Hosting a virtual summit is an incredible way to build interest in the products and services you offer. But, what if I told you there was a way to use truly-targeted offers to sell better after your summit?
There is! And in this episode, we have Allea Grummert to teach us all about it.
We'll cover how you can use your summit to gather data from your attendees, how to use that data to send subscribers targeted pitches post-summit, and how to use that data to your advantage. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/107
Thinking about skipping the speaker agreement for your virtual summit? Think again!
In this episode, we're chatting with Casey Handy-Smith to talk about whether you need a speaker agreement, what it should and shouldn't include, whether you can make it yourself or need an expert, and what other agreements should be a part of your event.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/106
Naming your virtual summit shouldn't get checked off your list the moment you think of that perfect name.
If you don't follow this 3-step process from Joey C Vitale to call dibs, you might not even be in a position to call that perfect name yours.
Tune in to learn all about the RAD method, whether you want your name to be descriptive or general, and how to call dibs on your virtual summit name.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/105
"Do I have to pay my virtual summit speakers affiliate commissions?"
This is a question I've seen popping up a lot on my Facebook community and I'm sharing my thoughts in this episode.
We'll go over whether or not I think affiliate commissions are a requirement, why that is, and how to overcome the biggest hurdles in going that route.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/104
We can talk about virtual summit strategy all day, but if you end up in your own way throughout the planning process, that strategy isn't going to as helpful as it could be.
That's why I'm so excited to bring in Ashley Beaudin today to talk about self-sabotage and how that can show up in your virtual summit. She even covers the 8 types of self-sabotage, how to recognize yours, and how to move forward with that newfound knowledge.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/103
We know a virtual summit can build your email list, skyrocket your revenue, and connect you with industry experts, but have you thought about how powerful it can be if you want to build your brand authority?
I brought in special guest Tyaisha Robinson to talk to us all about how to build brand authority through a virtual summit and how that ties into creating an incredible attendee experience.
She shared why a virtual summit is so powerful when it comes to building brand authority, 5 keys to making it happen, and how all the pieces tie together.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/102
Looking back on 2020 itself is quite the whirlwind, but when I sat down to think specifically about 2020 as it pertains to virtual summits I was pretty blown away at some of the things I’ve learned.
Even though I’m sitting here with over 100 episodes of this podcast recorded, I can’t believe how much I’m still learning and how much I know I still have to experiment with.
As I was looking back at what I learned this year, I decided that some of the things I realized are worth sharing, so today in episode 101 we’ll talk about 6 of the biggest things I learned about virtual summits over the past year.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/101
I really wanted to make episode 100 special and knew I couldn’t do it alone, so I’ve brought in a handful of incredible women to help. Each of these ladies is a friend, a powerhouse summit host, a past podcast guest, and a Summit in a Box student and I can’t wait for you to hear what each of them has to say. In this episode, you’re going to hear the top summit success tips from 6 experienced hosts who have put on incredible events.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/100
When it comes time to pitch virtual summit speakers, it's easy to get in your head about how much you are (or aren't) paying them or how big (or small) your audience is. The thing is, those aren't the reasons someone will agree to participate in your summit.
In this episode, we'll cover the 4 main reasons speakers will say "yes" to participating in your virtual summit.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/099
Thinking about co-hosting a virtual summit? My most recent event was co-hosted so I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what to consider before you decide if it's the right move for you.
We'll cover the great parts about co-hosting, 6 things to keep in mind before you make a decision, and how to split tasks if you decide to go for it with a partner.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/098
It's natural to spend time planning your overall summit strategy. But what about the experience your attendees have before, during and after the event?
In this episode, I brought in Ashley Shuler to chat through what your summit's people experience should look like and how you can get started with yours.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/097
If you're not already outsourcing, you'll likely begin to consider it when it comes time to put on your summit.
After all, there are all kinds of easy, repeatable tasks, which are perfect for your first outsourcing experience!
To help get you started, I've brought in Tianna Tye to chat about how to know if it's time to outsource, what to get ready on the backend before you start, and how to be a leader versus being a boss.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/096
Your summit is over, but what does that mean for your summit website?
You certainly don't want to just leave things as they are, so in this episode we'll cover a simple strategy that benefits your business and gives people who land on your website a great experience once the event is over.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/095
You've created an incredible all-access pass offer and now it's time to show it off and get those sales rolling in. In this episode, we'll cover my 5 best all-access pass sales page tips.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/094
After our last episode, you understand the goal behind your presentation pages and what exactly they should include.
In this episode, we'll take it one step further with a Q&A style chat. We'll cover how to make presentations available for a limited-time, whether attendees should have to login to view presentations, and if you should add a call-to-action at the beginning of each video.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/093
As simple as your virtual summit's presentation pages might seem, there's actually a strategy behind them. This strategy will increase your impact and sales, get your attendees better results, and properly showcase your speakers.
In this episode, we'll cover the goal of your presentation pages, a big mistake to avoid, and what should go on each page.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/092
Wondering how your virtual summit should be converting? I've got the answers for you today!
In this episode we'll cover which conversion rates to pay attention to throughout your summit, how to estimate what they'll be, how to analyze the actual numbers once you have them, and the biggest areas to focus when you need to make improvements.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/091
We spend a lot of time talking about what to do in different areas of your summit, but a recent summit I was a part of, along with my friend Desola, sparked the need to look at things from a different angle.
In this episode, we'll chat about how not to treat your summit speakers and walk through a very specific and extreme example of what that can look like.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/bonus
My latest virtual summit, Sell With a Summit: Course Creator Edition, was a blast to host and I'm taking you behind the scenes in this episode and dishing all the details.
We'll cover things like how the summit was set up, exact numbers, what went well, and what I'll change next time.
Hint: In some ways this was my smallest summit yet, but in others it was my biggest.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/090
Wondering how to stand out in a sea of speakers once your virtual summit is over? Kate Doster has the answers for you in today's episode.
We'll cover the biggest mistakes summit hosts and speakers make with sending post-summit emails, how to treat your new subscribers like humans to boost sales, and the exact types of emails you should be sending.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/089
You don't have to spend a fortune to host a virtual summit. But if you've got a bit of a budget, it's nice to feel confident that you're using it where it will have the biggest impact.
In this episode, we'll cover the top 4 places to save and splurge when putting together your event.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/088
Trying to decide whether or not you need to pay your virtual summit speakers?
There are two opposing answers to this questions and I'm breaking down both sides in today's episode.
We'll cover what the two sides of this argument look like, my thoughts on when you do and don't have to pay, and what to do if you can't afford to pay speakers.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/087
If you aren’t organized with your virtual summit prep, it is going to turn into a massive headache. So today, I’m sharing my top tips for running an organized event.
This will include everything from organizing tasks, files, team members, speakers, and your brain, in general.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/086
There are a lot of tasks that go into hosting a virtual summit and one of the best ways to lighten the load is to outsource where you can. In this episode, we're covering what to outsource in your virtual summit. Specifically, we'll cover whether you have to outsource, what the summit dream team looks like, what I recommend you do and don't outsource, and how I create systems for my team to follow. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/085
Virtual summits are powerful on their own, but you can skyrocket their effectiveness by building in ways to create raving fans and dream customers throughout the process.
Tune into this action-packed episode with Desola Davis where she breaks down exactly how to host a virtual summit that will bring people from not knowing who you are to being your best brand ambassadors.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/084
Are you a course creator who likes the sound of hitting your biggest course launch ever with a virtual summit in 90 days?
If so, I've got a fun announcement for you today. It's finally time for Summit in a Box to host a summit all about summits, and this one is just for course creators.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/083
And to register for Sell With A Summit: Course Creator Edition, head to https://sellwithasummit.com/
Have you been asked to share your speaker list, before it's final, to illustrate that you'll have a diverse and inclusive virtual summit? Is it even okay to do that?
We'll break it down in this episode and cover a cycle you'll get into if you can't share this information, whether it's okay to share a list of unconfirmed speakers, how to do it the right way if you do, and my story with asking a summit host for their speaker lineup.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/082
Did you know that most virtual summit presentations are way too long and don't actually give attendees what they need to see a transformation?
It's true! And incorporating learning design into your event can go along way to help.
In this episode, I've brought in a special guest, Emily Walker to talk about what learning design is and how to incorporate it into your summit.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/081
Looking to host a profitable virtual summit without managing it all yourself? Working with a summit producer is a great option!
In this episode, I brought in summit production expert, Nicole Ware, to give a behind the scenes look at outsourcing your production.
We talked about what you need before you can hire a summit producer, what the process looks like, and what it will leave you to be responsible for.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/080
Dreaming of hosting a summit, but don't have the time to make it happen?
You're not alone! This is one of the biggest struggles I hear from up-and-coming summit hosts. You know a summit will skyrocket your revenue, email list, expert status, and industry connections, but your business is already too busy.
In this episode, I'm breaking down my simple strategy to make a summit fit seamlessly into your business.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/079
No matter how clear you make the details of your summit and the policies you have, you'll always have attendees asking for special treatment.
In this episode we cover the two most common places you'll have your policies questioned - the length of accessing presentations for free and all-access pass pricing.
I'll share my thoughts on what these policies should look like, canned responses you can use, and mistakes you'll definitely want to avoid.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/078
The week that your virtual summit is actually happening can feel kinda crazy. It can fly by leaving you wondering what in the world just happened.
To help, this episode will cover exactly what to expect the week of your summit. We'll talk about everything from registration and sales patterns to the hours you'll be working, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/077
You've got an incredible summit planned, speakers are lined up, and tech is ready, but what should you actually expect once you open registration?
I don't want anything that happens during your promotion period to catch you by surprise, so in this episode we're going to cover exactly what to expect once your summit opens for registration. This will cover tech, attendee feedback, conversions rates, registrations and sales, speaker promotion, and more.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/076
Virtual summits are powerful on their own, but adding a high-converting funnel into the mix? You just brought it to a whole new level!
In this episode we're chatting with Kate McKibbon about how to increase your virtual summit profits through a well-positioned funnel. We cover how to do this both as a host and as a speaker. It's an episode you don't want to miss!
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/075
Some summits offer free registration, while some are paid. But which one is best?
I've only ever run free summits, so I brought in Cara Harvey of A Purpose Driven Mom to give us the inside scoop of the results she's seen running both free and paid summits.
In this episode we cover what her various summit formats have looked like, the juicy details of the results she's seen, and what her recommendation is when you're trying to make the decision for yourself.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/074
Not sure if your virtual summit should be live or pre-recorded? Have presentations or interviews? Be 2 days or 5? Have 15 speakers or 50?
There are all kinds of details to consider when planning your summit format and we're going to break them all down in this episode.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/073
Have you ever heard someone say that "virtual summits are overdone"? Or maybe you've even thought it yourself! This is one of those things that frustrates me beyond measure because it is literally turning your back on a strategy because it works. Which is silly, right? Hear my thoughts on this topic in a short, sweet, and slightly sassy episode! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/072
Did you know there is a magic formula to craft an insanely effective summit pitch? There is and in this episode Michelle Lewis maps it all out.
In addition to the magic formula to help you land more summit speaking gigs, Michelle also shares how to get around the time-sensitive nature of a summit pitch and her best tip for pitching big-name speakers to be on your summit.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/071
In the all-access pass for my most recent summit, I offered over $3000 in speaker bonuses. This is how I've always done it and it has a huge part to play in why the summit strategies I teach have a 3x higher conversion rate than industry standard summits. The best part is that this strategy benefits not only you, but also your speakers and attendees. Tune in to learn about how I get speakers to contribute premium bonuses to my all-access pass, what those bonuses include, and how I make the process easy on everyone. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/070
There is a major problem with how some summits hosts have gone about requiring speakers to promote their event. In this episode we'll cover what the big issue is, whether you should require speakers to promote, and how to do it the right way. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/069
This bonus episode is coming to you thanks to getting a lot of questions about how I launched my new Summit in a Box program. Once my friend Zoe asked if I had any resources on the method I used, I decided it was time to make something, so here we are!
In this bonus episode of the Summit Host Hangout podcast, I'm sharing a behind the scenes look at how I went from minimum viable product to membership to an epic program over the course of 11 months. I'll cover why I did it this way, what each offer looked like, the results I saw, the strategy I used for building out the membership, and how I decided when I was done.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/siab-launch-bonus
Worried that your speakers won't share your summit? It's such a common issue. In this episode, we'll cover 7 ways to encourage your speakers to share about your virtual summit as well as how these tips worked for me in my most recent event. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/068
Most summit hosts struggle to get speakers to deliver their content on time. But it doesn't have to be complicated! In this episode, we'll cover how to get speakers to deliver their content on time and how to make it easy.
For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/067
There's a lot that goes into hosting a profitable and engaging summit and the learning curve is huge if it's your first time. In this episode, we're chatting with first-time host, Destini Copp about her summit and powerful Facebook ad strategy. We break down everything from how to determine your ad budget, how to boost your ad results before your summit begins, and how to increase engagement throughout your summit with some simple, low-budget ad campaigns. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/066
Have questions about my Summit In A Box program? I have answers for you in this episode including the difference between the tiers, how the various templates work, whether you need a big email list, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/065
My signature Summit In A Box program is finally here! It·s every training, template, and resource you need to host a summit with ease. But I want to take it back a step and tell you where this idea came from and then share a bit more about the program. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/064
This episode will give you a quick overview of the 5 major pieces that go into hosting a virtual summit. We'll cover what each of those pieces is, some of my top tips, and resources you can reference to learn more about each one. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/063
So many people go to start with their summits and can’t get past the first step because they're so overwhelmed by the entire process. That's why, in this episode we're breaking down 4 steps to avoiding overwhelm in your summit planning and creating a timeline you can actually stick to. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/062
I've got a free challenge coming up and cover the details of it in this episode. The goal of the Start Your Summit That Sells challenge is to help you stop dreaming about growing your visibility, income, and impact and start taking action to plan, strategize, and launch your profitable, momentum boosting online summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/061
My 4th summit is in the books and I can't wait to share these results with you! In this behind the scenes episode, we'll cover how my summit was set up, my goals, the results, lessons learned, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/060
Set goals for your summit's impact, number of registrations, and income with the help of this episode. In it we'll cover the biggest mistake you can make when setting goals for your summit, the 6 pieces that have the biggest part to play on your success, and how to set goals on your summit based on a little math and your current audience size. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/059
Are people going to be excited when they see your summit pop up? Of course we all want our audience to be pumped about our summit, but there's actually some intentional thought that goes into creating an event people want to attend. In this episode we'll break down the main key to doing that and dive deeper into 3 specific tips to make it happen. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/058
We talk a lot about the more surface-level pieces of hosting an online summit, but in this episode we're diving a little deeper. We'll talk about 4 of the most important parts of your summit that will boost profits, increase your visibility, and create a whole lot more impact. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/057
Having some fears about hosting your summit? Trust me, I get it. In this episode, I'll break down the 4 biggest fears I ran into with my first summit and one that I still deal with today. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/056
There are a LOT of emails that go into a summit and it can get to be a lot for our attendees...unless we make them engaging! In this episode we're chatting with Sarah Anderson about how to increase attendee engagement through out emails, rather than driving them away. We'll cover things like the part emails have to play in creating an engaged audience, how to write engaging emails, and moving from subscriber to attendee once the summit is over. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/055
Building interest and excitement around your summit doesn't need to wait until a couple weeks before it starts. In this episode with Abby Herman we're breaking down when to start talking about your summit, what to talk about, and how to encourage your speakers to join in on the fun. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/054
The more engaging your summit is, the more you, your speakers, and your attendees will get out of it. To help you make a powerful engagement plan, in this episode we're going over how to craft an engaging event, including 18 ideas to get you started. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/053
Not sure when to host your summit or how many speakers to have? In this episode I'm answering all your schedule and timing questions including when the best time is to host a summit, what day of the week it should start, how many speakers you should have, and more! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/052
A summit can be a powerful part of your sales funnel, but only if you have the pieces in place. In this episode with Aleia Walker we'll break down how not having a funnel is leaving money on the table, how to use a summit as a part of your funnel both as a host and as a speaker, what to do if you don't have an offer to sell, and what your funnel should look like. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/051
If you've been wondering how to launch a membership or grow your existing membership through an online summit, you are going to love this episode. Lee Chaix McDonough is here to talk through the exact strategies she used to use a summit to lead to a 5-figure membership launch. We'll also talk about why she chose to promote her membership rather than an all-access pass, what she'll do differently next time, and her best advice for anyone looking to do something similar. For show notes and resources head to https://summithosthangout.com/050
Did you know a summit is a great way to book out your services? My custom development services have gotten booked out 6-months in advance after each of my summits and it's possible for you too. In this episode we'll cover how promoting services after a summit is different than products, the main thing to focus on in your early summit planning, and my simple strategy for booking out my services once the summit is over. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/049
Your summit presentations are over, but that doesn't mean that sales have to stop! In this episode we'll talk about how to boost your All-Access Pass sales once your summit is over with specific emails and posts as well as what to do when it is time to close the cart. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/048
I love a good behind the scenes episode and I know you do too! In this episode we're chatting with Hannah Murphy about her experience with her first summit. We dive into everything from the results she saw to her tech choices and everything in between. This is one you won't want to miss! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/047
Curious as to whether a summit is the right move for you? In this episode with Brit Kolo, we're chatting about the personality types best fit for hosting a summit. We'll cover an overview of the personality types, which personality types will have the easiest time hosting a summit, and what to do if you are more cut out for either the planning or hosting stage. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/046
Does promoting your summit on social media want to make you go into hiding? If so, you're going to love this episode with Andréa Jones where we talk about how to simplify social media as an introvert. We'll cover the part being an introvert has to play in your social media strategy, steps to make it simple, and our best tips for promoting a summit on social media. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/045
We know that live video is an important part of running an engaging summit and warming up a cold audience quickly. However, as an introvert, you might find live video more draining than many hosts out there. To help, in this episode we'll cover whether I think live video is absolutely necessary for a summit, what pieces of live video go into your event, and how to effectively manage those pieces as an introvert. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/044
This episode kicks off a new series all about hosting a summit as an introvert. We'll cover what I was seeing from introverts that made me decide to do this series, why I don't think being an introvert is a reason to avoid hosting a summit, and what you can do differently to account for your introverted tendencies. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/043
Have you heard someone say that online summits don't work? I have and, as you'd probably guess, I have some pretty strong feelings about it and in this episode you'll hear all about them. Word of caution: my soapbox makes an appearance.
For show notes head to https://summithosthangout.com/042.
Are virtual summits on their way out? Let's chat about it! In this episode we'll cover why people might say that summits are on their way out, my response to that, the types of summits that are indeed on their way out, and how to make sure you host a summit that gets results. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/041
For the last episode in our series on promoting your summit, we'll do a fun Q&A session! We'll talk about when to start promoting your summit, what promo resources to provide speakers, unique ways to promote, and when to expect the most signups to come in. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/040
Not sure how to promote your summit on Pinterest? You're not alone! In this episode with Meagan Williamson, we're breaking down the amount of time you need to promote a summit on Pinterest, what that promotion should look like, and an overview of promoted pins. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/039
Facebook ads for your summit don't have to be expensive or complicated and that's exactly what we'll chat about in this episode with Tony Rulli. We'll talk about Facebook ad strategies to start with, a minimum budget and how to scale it, and where to start if you've never run ads. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/038
You've done the work of preparing your online summit and now it's time to promote. Where do you even start? I've got you covered in this episode where we'll cover the basics of the 3 main pieces of promoting an online summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/037
In this episode we're chatting with Quiana Murray about all things sponsorships. We cover everything from how to decide if you should have sponsors to how to pitch them and how much to charge. This is an action-packed episode you won't want to miss! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/036
In this episode, Liz Wilcox is taking us behind the scenes of what it has been like to host 3 summits alongside 3 co-hosts. We're talking about everything from how the event and offer have evolved over the years to how to help an audience not familiar with online summits understand how it all works. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/035
In this episode, we have launch and conversion copywriter Elli Runkles to talk about the most important pieces of copy for your summit's registration process. We'll cover what to include on your registration page and mistakes to avoid, emails to turn your existing list into summit attendees, and the sequence that should go out once someone registers for your event. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/034
Want a summit registration page that converts? Of course you do! In this episode we'll go over 19 pieces to include on a high-converting registration page. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/033
The moving pieces that kick in once an attendee registers for your summit play a huge part in your success. In this episode we'll cover the 5 pieces in your summit's registration process, what it looks like from an attendee standpoint, and mistakes to avoid. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/032
Overwhelmed from all the tech choices available for hosting your summit? This episode with Jaime Slutzky from Tech of Business is going to clear it all up for you. We'll cover the biggest tech mistake she sees, steps to choosing the right platform for you, and the tech stack she recommends using for a successful online summit. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/031
Wondering how you can possibly make time for a summit when your schedule is already full? I've brought in Ashley Gartland to cover 3 simple steps for making room for a summit without overwhelm. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/030
How long does it take to plan an online summit? We'll cover it in this episode along with an overview of the big picture tasks you'll want to complete along the way. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/029
Curious about what it looked like to launch my first summit with a newborn in tow and whether I recommend it? I'm giving a behind the scenes look at how I did it and getting honest about whether it's something I recommend in this episode. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/028
Stuck wondering whether you're really ready to host your first online summit? Well, now you can stop wondering! In this episode we'll cover the 3 things you need before hosting your first summit as well as 3 things I don't want you to wait for. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/027
Is fear holding you back from hosting your summit? In this episode with Leanne Chesser, we'll cover 7 simple steps to shift your unconscious stories and host your first online summit with confidence. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/026
If self-doubt has you stuck when it comes to planning your online summit, you'll love this interview with Kaitlyn Kessler. In it we talk about how confidence leads to clarity and super actionable steps you can take to increase your confidence, starting today! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/025
Self-doubt tends to make it's way to the front of your mind when it comes time to host a summit and I haven't escaped that. In this episode I'm telling my self-doubt story, journey, and how it's compared to my reality. If you're experiencing these types of feelings, you're not alone! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/024
Is your online summit accessible to the deaf community? Probably not, but it's not difficult to change that. In this episode we're chatting with Erin Perkins to talk about what her experience with summits has been like as a deaf business owner, what you can do to make your summit accessible, and what to do if you don't think you have anyone deaf in your audience. For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/023
Your summit presentations might be full of great information and actionable, but do they create transformations? In this episode featuring Jessica Rasdall, of the Creative Speakers Podcast, we go over just how transformational your presentations can be - both as a host and as a presenter. We'll cover tips specifically for summit speakers, including how to choose the right speaking topic, how to make sure your business benefits, and the most important tweak you can make to create a transformation for your audience. Then, we'll move into tips for summit hosts including how to find the right summit speakers and make sure they see a return for their hard work! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/022
Your speakers are a huge part of the success of your virtual summit. As you’ll find after running your first summit, the more engaged your speakers are, the more engaged your attendees will be. And, taking it a step further, the more engaged attendees are, the more signups you’ll get, the more sales you’ll make, and the bigger impact you’ll make. With that being said, if you can't keep your speakers happy, your attendees aren’t going to have a positive experience, and your whole summit is going to suffer. So in this episode, we’ll talk about how to get happy and engaged speakers for your virtual summit. For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/021
Want to hear "yes" more than "no" when pitching speakers? I know I do! In this episode, we'll cover pitching your speakers in a way that will accomplish that. We’re going to cover: - What you should have prepared before pitching - Why I pitch in 3 rounds and what that looks like - What to include in your pitch to get a positive response more often than not For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/020
Have you ever heard someone on a soap box about how summit's done work? Yeah me too. And hosting a summit or seeing summits hosted with the wrong speaker lineup is a big reason why many people come to that conclusion. So in this episode we're going to talk about choosing speakers that will get both you and your speakers results. And don't worry, it's simple! For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/019
An issue I've noticed with online summits is the fact that you can look at a speaker lineup (or a lot of speaker lineups) and everyone tends to look the same. And I'm not here to point fingers - I've been guilty of it myself and actually got called out for it by an attendee who I really appreciate now, even though I didn't at the time. To lead this conversation, I interviewed Nichole Beiner to talk about how we can work together to make online summits more diverse and inclusive. For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/018
Pitching speakers can bring up a lot of uncertainty. Will they say yes? What will they think of me and my summit? The truth is, pitching is a whole lot easier when you've take a little time to make connections first. So in this episode we'll cover why I recommend making connections before pitching, whether you really have to do it, and a simple strategy for creating those connections. For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/017
You know you want to host a virtual summit. You've chosen your topic, know your goals, and now it's time to choose your speakers. You might start brainstorming and come up with 10-15 pretty easily. But then you realize that you don't know who else would make a good fit. This is a really common struggle. It's hard to fill 20+ speaker spots with quality presenters without having to do some extra digging to find them. So in today's episode, we'll go over 5 ways to find speakers for your virtual summit. For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/016
Anytime you do something new in business, you're generally met with feelings of impostor syndrome. This is especially true for something as public as hosting an online summit. I get all kinds of doubt-filled questions from those thinking of hosting a summit for the first time. One of the most popular is something like, “But what if I don’t have an email list? Can I still host a summit then?” In this episode, we're going to break down that question and cover whether you can host a summit with no email list, what to do if a speaker asks about your list size, and strategies to put into place to make sure your email list size doesn't hold back your results. For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/015
A lot can be learned from taking a look at the experiences of other business owners. In this episode I’m so excited to go behind the scenes with Eden Fried to talk about the two successful summits she’s hosted this year. We’ll cover the results she’s seen, the strategies that work best for her, and the differences between her two summits like pricing structure, tech choices, and the use of sponsors. This is an action-packed episode you won’t want to miss! For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/014
There's a lot that goes into hosting a successful online summit. And success can look like so many things. No matter what your goal is, there are some pieces you should always pay attention to. So in this episode, we'll go over 5 keys to a successful online summit. For show notes, visit https://summithosthangout.com/013
Leveraging affiliates can increase your summit's sales several times over. In fact, in my first 3 summits, affiliates have been responsible for 50% or more of sales. If you're starting with a small audience, that number can be even higher. To cover all things affiliates, I've brought in Zoe Linda to go over affiliate marketing basics, the biggest mistakes she sees, how to find good affiliates, how much to pay them, and some details on the tech and overall affiliate process. For show notes on this episode, visit https://summithosthangout.com/012
Tech is overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! In this episode we're going to talk about the tech piece of offering an all-access pass. We'll cover what you need to consider, the most common tech choices, and how to decide which option is right for you. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/011
We'll cover what a limited-time offer is and what it can look like, why they work, how I use them in my summits, and the tool I use to make it easy. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/010
In today's episode, we're kicking off a series about monetizing your virtual summit and breaking down the basics of how to monetize. We'll cover how to make money through a free event, 4 ways to monetize your summit, and I'll share the method I've used in all my summits up to this point. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/009
In this episode, we're wrapping up our branding series by chatting with Kory Woodard from Coded Creative Themes to talk all about branding an online summit. I’m so excited to share this episode with you because going in, I expected that by talking with a designer about branding we were going to get a complex process to follow. But I’m SO excited that Kory is the designer I chose to be on because that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth and you’re going to love what she has to say. For show notes, visit https://summithosthangout.com/008
Visuals play a huge part in branding your virtual summit. In this episode we'll cover mistakes to avoid with your visuals, individual visual elements you'll need, and resources to make it easy. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/007
In the last two episodes we've identified your summit's audience and topic. Now, we'll put those things to use to determine your summit's positioning. We'll cover how your positioning ties into your audience and topic, positioning mistakes to avoid, how to position your summit, and where that positioning will show up. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/006
Now that you know your summit's audience thanks to our last episode, we're going to take that one step further to identify your summit's profitable topic. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/005
The correct audience for your summit is one of the largest determining factors of your success. In this episode we'll cover why your audience plays such a big role and how to choose your summit's audience. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/004
An online summit can truly transform your business and that's exactly what we'll talk about in this episode. Learn how you can see major growth in terms of your income, email list, expert positioning, connections, and value to your audience. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/003
Get a behind the scenes look at my latest summit, which brought in just under $22k. In this episode, we'll cover what my goals were, what I'd changed since my last summit, highs and lows, lessons learned, and the numbers. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/002
There's a lot to consider when hosting an online summit, so in this episode we'll go over the 10 stages. Each piece will be broken down in future episodes, but this is a great place to start if you want an idea of what to expect throughout the process. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/001
In the first episode of the Summit Host Hangout podcast, we'll talk about why you'll want to listen, how often new episodes will be released, what you can expect from them, and a little about my background. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/000/