I don't charge a large honorarium and say, “take it or leave it.” My desire is to work with a prospective Host who has heard the workshop and knows the value of what I teach, knows others whom could benefit, desires to make the workshop affordable and available in their community, and will commit to work towards empowering people through the process. Remember, in addition to the one-day training of the workshop, I make myself available at no-charge to help every person who goes through this workshop as a follow-up–I critique their proposal and make it better (iron sharpens iron), I help them do the research for their city/state/area, I give them ideas and suggestions of where to submit it, and much more.
My goal is to allow the Host to provide this workshop and its' information to people in their area in order to build community and empower access to resources. The process is MORE than about money. It is not generally a "fundraiser." People don't want pomp and circumstance--that is what is currently on the market and those types of workshops are a-dime-a-dozen. In contrast, The Artful Askers Workshop accomplishes a number of things:
it confirms (needs, passion, compassion)
it affirms (calling, purpose, resources)
it encourages (be ready, engage, be proactive, be persistent)
it inspires (many funders--ONLY One Provider!)
it challenges (be ready to be used, to receive, engage and ask)
it empowers (the process works--no need for a consultant)
I have developed the following guidelines as a place to start the discussions with potential Hosts. I want it to be a Win-Win-Win situation and need to cover expenses plus some. . . My goal is to allow the Host to provide this workshop and its' information to people in their area to build community and empower access to resources. I encourage the Host to engage in the follow-up and meet monthly to encourage participants, help them, and facilitate the process building a group of people that they can coach, mentor, and help in this process. I even have a train-the-trainer program once you have attended the workshop twice (or once live and once on DVD) and want to use the material to help people yourself.
Participants leave the workshop knowing how to build relationships with Funders (primarily with corporations, foundations, churches, and individuals). The process is relevant even for State and Federal proposals (although the RFP/CFP process requires additional training and help). People leave the one-day workshop with knowledge, samples, and all the pieces to. . .
–Write a 3 to 5 page document (will leave with templates, know font size,
margins, how to collate and mail, etc.)
–Know how to research prospects in their city, state, region, etc. (will leave
with some leads)
–Know how to engage through rejection (to be successful, the process
normally starts with rejection); through approval; and/or through not
hearing back (about 50% of the time).
–Understand BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP with a funder they have some
connection/relationship with, are located in similar geographical proximity,
and/or shares an area of interest.
Different scenarios as a starting place in a discussion with a prospective Host. . . PLEASE CALL me to discuss these options and whatever other considerations you may think of--these are a starting place.
1. When Host doesn't pay anything up-front (if dates are available). . .
Per Participant Fee: $75 or $99.
Facility: Host provides/arranges fellowship Hall, church, etc (prefer tables and chairs over pews).
Lunch: We'll pay lunch out of Regsitrations Fees (something fast and cheap--pizza, sandwiches, etc. during a 30 minute lunch break). Providing bottled water is also nice.
Promotion: Bob will send out brochures and e-mails to his contacts in the Workshop area and post the workshop on his website. The Host should also forward e-mails about the workshop AND handout/mail brochures to potential attendees (Bob has these and will modify and provide them).
Other arrangements made as needed.
2. When a Host pays a $500 deposit up-front ONLY. . .
Per Participant Fee: $49 or $75 per participant (or no more than $99 to be negotiated with Bob). Bob keeps $49 per participant and Host keeps anything over that (regional variations drive consideration).
Venue: Host provides/arranges fellowship Hall, church, etc (prefer tables and chairs over pews).
Lunch: Host provides (prefer something fast and cheap--pizza, sandwiches, etc. during a 30 minute lunch break). Providing bottled water is also nice.
Promotion: Bob will send out brochures and e-mails to his contacts in the Workshop area and post the workshop on his website. The Host should also forward e-mails about the workshop AND handout/mail brochures to potential attendees (Bob has these and will modify and provide them).
Other arrangements made as needed.
3. If a Host pays $1,250 per workshop flat-rate, up-front. . .
Per Participant Fee: $49 or $75 per participant (or no more than $99 to be negotiated with Bob). Host keep ALL proceeds from Registration up to 35 participants. For more than 35, registration for extra over 35 is split 50%-50%.
Venue: Host provides/arranges fellowship Hall, church, etc (prefer tables and chairs over pews).
Lunch: Bob provides (pizza and drinks) unless Host prefers to provide at their own expense. Providing bottled water is also nice.
Promotion: Bob will send out brochures and e-mails to his contacts in the Workshop area and post the workshop on his website. The Host should also forward e-mails about the workshop AND handout/mail brochures to potential attendees (Bob has these and will modify and provide them).
Other arrangements made as needed. With this option,
I pay my own travel to-and-from the airport and all parking fees for the trip.
I pay the shipping fees for the materials for the trip.
I pay/arrange my own airfare and travel for the trip.
I pay my own hotel for the trip.
I pay my own meals for the trip.
I provide and e-mail and original brochures for which you can cut-and-paste or duplicate.
I post the workshops on my website and allow Pre-Registrations (you can on yours also).
You receive 50% of registrations received through my website.
Variations of all 3 options can be negotiated.
In ALL 3 options, every participant receives about $17.50 of actual cost of materials:
• Blessing CDs (with templates).
• Research Packets or CD with research.
• Packets of additional information/Free “stuff.”
• Lunch
• Host receives copies of completed Registration Sheets and Evaluations from each day.
Which day works best for a workshop?
Generally, my experience is that Thursday or Friday workshops work best. However, if you have a large number of bi-vocational workers/pastors, Saturdays are possible options, too. Friday works great unless you have a large number of full-time Pastors–in which case, Fridays are often their only day off. You should consider ALL options in light of the knowledge of your audience.
How to start the process of scheduling a workshop?
--Select potential date(s). Six weeks is the best lead-time.
--Verify availability of the facility.
--Check with Bob to reserve the date.
--Make deposit through PayPal or with a check (within 10 days)
--Send relevant information to Bob in order for him to prepare brochures,
prepare e-mails, and post information onto website.
--Start promoting and get the word out!
Why do I require a deposit?
Basically, I teach the Biblical principle of "where your heart is, your treasure will be." When you give me a deposit of $500 (which I will use to pay for my airfare, travel, hotel, meals), I KNOW that you will seek to make the workshop and date work in reaching out and helping others. Although I will flexible and negotiable when necessary, I am trying to stay by this policy decision. I have taken a LOT of losses and MUST do things differently--In the past 24 months, I have had 17 workshops canceled so late that I could not reschedule anything in their place--hurting me financially, BUT even more, prohibiting me from helping others learn the process.
Dos and Don'ts
After having taught these workshops to Faith-Based and Community Organizations more than 500 times and for 15 years (being in the industry for 25 years), we know what works and what does NOT work. People want and need help, hope, encouragement, and empower–that is what this workshop is designed to do. It does NOT contain all the pomp and circumstance–rather, it is a humble day of serving the servants! Although we are always interested in trying new things, here is a sample of the Do's and Don'ts that work. . .
Don’t:
Don’t wait until the last minute. Start out at least 4 to 6 weeks (you know your market/audience!)
Don’t mass-produce and mass-mail brochures. They are never read and this is very costly.
Don’t spend money on newspaper advertisement, radio spots, or other “mass-appeal” publicity.
Don’t rent a facility. A church fellowship hall OR large room on campus is ideal. Classroom seating and tables is best.
Don’t spend money on snacks or other frills. Coffee/water is nice BUT unnecessary unless it is important to you and
the people you know that will come. Some get these things donated.
Don’t anticipate early registrations. About 50% of attendees sign up in last 7 to 10 days prior to workshop. I will post it on my website and I would encourage you to post it on yours. The most important thing is for you to let people know that you have found this to be valuable and highly recommend their attending.
DO:
DO think of this opportunity to help others as, “One beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.”
DO plan ahead and start talking positively about the workshop–“life begets life.” Talk about it with people you know!
DO send a letter about the workshop to your connections/relationships with 2 brochures (1 to keep and 1 to give away).
DO send out an e-mail to people and ask them to forward it to others they know. Two different contacts are powerful.
DO hand-address envelopes and mail them with first class postage.
DO distribute the tri-fold brochure freely in Board meetings, larger group meetings, volunteer gatherings, etc. . .
DO seek to be used by God to build Biblical Community. Humbly encourage others to participate in this opportunity.
DO send a Press Release (in your words and experience) to a few targeted Christian media outlets (if you know these).
DO give key people a follow-up call 7 days after mailing brochure. Invite them to invite their networks.
DO SEND OUT BROCHURES/LETTERS TO CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS!
-Executive Directors, men’s/women's organizational leaders, other leaders
-Radio, newspaper, and other public Christian groups and people
-Organizations working with homeless, families, inner-city, poverty, poor and needy
-Your Board members, staff, key volunteers and members other nonprofits and their Boards
-Groups working with children and youth, senior adults
-Local Christian universities and colleges
-CROWN representatives in your area
-Active volunteers common to many faith- and community organizations
-Gospel Rescue Missions, Alcohol and Drug Rehabs
-Christian Schools: elementary, Secondary, Colleges, Universities
-Public school development or foundation developers for funding
-Crisis Pregnancy Centers, women's shelters, or other outreaches
-Community Foundations OR Christian Community Foundations in your area
-Pastors, Associate Pastors, and large churches doing social ministry
-Christian Community Development Association members
-Retired folks who want to help meet the needs in your community
-Leaders from your church, social ministries, etc. . .
-State associations and groups
-NAMB contacts: state conventions, associational offices, DOM’s, etc
-Catholic Charities, Lutheran Brotherhood, YMCA, and other charity groups
-Christian funders you know OR who will pass the information on to others
-anyone meeting the needs of others in the community.
Do keep a list of those contacted if possible to follow-up.
To schedule an Artful Askers Workshop in YOUR city,
e-mail Bob@ArtfulAskers.com and start the process. . .
