Why put your conference attendance into someone else’s hands? Take charge and send yourself to the event. If it is worth attending, isn’t it worth sponsoring yourself?
Here’s how:
1. Total up all your expenses for the trip.
Airfare or transportation, hotel, conference registration, meals, pocket money, and anything else that you’ll have to pay. Get the grand total.
2. Figure how much you’ll need to save per month.
Count the number of months between now and the conference. Divide your total expenses into monthly amounts. That’s how much you’ll need to set aside each month to reach your total.
3. Make a plan to get there.
It’s no good knowing the target if you don’t have a plan to get there. Figure out a way to dedicate some revenue to your conference fund.
- Offer a special sale.
- Put one item on sale, and dedicate profit from it to your fund.
- Set aside a percentage of all your sales.
- Commit to an extra hour of work each week.
- Make and hold one extra selling appointment per week.
Let your customers know what your purpose is. You’ll be surprised who is willing to spend a bit extra to help out, while still getting a good deal for themselves.
4. Not enough time? Start now for next year.
Yes, a full year out. If that’s what it takes, do it. You’ll have an easier time because the monthly amount will be smaller.
