My #1 Tip for Marketing Your Retreat

If you are concerned about marketing your retreat, you are not alone. This is one of the most common reasons that clients reach out to me!

Just remember that *most* retreat tickets are sold to audience members with whom you have a relationship - either directly, or though a mutual contact/relationship.

Build your community, your audience, your following - tell everyone what you're envisioning and let them be a part of the process - and marketing your retreat will be MUCH easier.

Looking for more actionable tips? Click the link below to schedule a session with me!

How To Get 110 Sponsors For Your First Event

The value of sponsorships is hard to overstate. They are one of the easiest ways to sell more spots, increase the value of your event, minimize financial output, and increase your profits. They can provide financial support, fill your swag bags with meaningful gifts for your attendees, or offer in-kind donations like food, drinks, or art supplies. Financial support and service-based donations pad your bottom line, and swag contributions increase the value of your event without you having to lay out any more cash. Best of all, sponsorships are a chance to build relationships with businesses whose values and mission align with your own.

One of the questions I get asked most often is “How do you get so many sponsors and partners to support your events?” It’s a fair question. As a post-professional, new stay-at-home parent planning my first Inspired Family: Mindful Parenting Conference I brought on board over 110 sponsors, partners and vendors. For my first Mindful Mama Retreat (a much smaller scale event) I pulled on board over 30 sponsors. This was without having any prior non-professional events to demonstrate value to these companies.

So, how the heck did I do it?

Here are some of my most valuable tips:

1. Create a system to stay organized
   The first thing I did was start a spread sheet and fill it with a TON of research. Literally, hundreds of entries that included a company name, location, contact person, email address, website, and reason for contacting them (sponsorship, swag bags, presenter, vendor).

2. Brainstorm contacts
   Where did I find people to contact? Literally, I found ideas for whom to contact e.ver.y.where. I looked at similar large scale events (such as baby expos) for businesses that supported as sponsors or swag bag contributors. I looked at parenting and mindfulness magazines for advertisements to get a sense of companies in line with our values. I asked friends for references of businesses they would want to see at a mindful parenting conference; as presenters, sponsors, and in the vendor hall. Honestly, although it took a lot of time, building the list of contact ideas was the easy part.

3. Target appropriate vendors
   This is a big one. Keep in mind the vision of your event, and the profile of your attendees. Holding a yoga retreat? Contact companies that sell yoga gear, or healthy snacks. Holding a couples connection retreat? Contact businesses that might contribute experiential giveaways to your event, like a gift card to a local Bed & Breakfast, or a series of couples dance classes.

4. Be specific and reasonable
   Form letters (as a basis) are a must when contacting multiple businesses for sponsorship but every single letter you send out should be carefully tailored to the individual business. Yes, I understand that this takes A LOT OF TIME, but it is worth it. Being specific and individualized is what will get you noticed; it is what will help you to secure sponsorships. When contacting a potential sponsor, explain why you are contacting them and how you envision supporting each other's businesses. Be specific about what you would like them to contribute, and what you can provide to them in exchange. For example, if you are asking for swag bag contributions, let them know how many people you anticipate attending your retreat or workshop. Do they have a new product line? Suggest that they would benefit from sharing it with your audience. This gives them a clear sense of what you are looking for and what their investment will be. Would you love for their company to sponsor your location rental fee (or maybe just a specific room if you have multiple rooms)? Explain which room you think would be most valuable to them in the context of your event. For example, at the Inspired Family Conference we had a "Baby Changing Room", stocked with individual changing pads, diapers and wipes, bottom creams, etc. It was double sponsored by two local business that cater to parents interested in learning about cloth diapering. They provided the supplies and covered the cost of the room rental, and we highlighted them as room sponsors through signage at the room, mentions in the program, etc. The point is, be specific about why you are contacting the business, how you think they can contribute, and what they will get out of the partnership. This is as much about them as it is about you.

5. Social media shout outs
   Have a system to keep track of tagging and celebrating your sponsors and partners on all of your social media accounts. I announce partnerships at various times throughout the planning period of an event: at the beginning after a contract is signed, when their contribution arrives (for example if they are sending freebies for the swag bags), and any time I share a general post about the event. Your sponsors will often share your post, which increases visibility for your event. And let's be real - the whole point of bringing on sponsors is to build relationships with businesses and people whose values and/or products align with your event. Recognizing your sponsors and keeping them in the loop will help strengthen your connection and commitment to each other.

6. Thank you cards (real ones)
   When all is said and done, don't forget to send thank you cards. Yes, the handwritten kind, with a stamp, sent through the post office. In my opinion, it is the little things like this that make a world of difference in building deep, sustained relationships with partners who want to continue to work with you.

7. Provide valuable feedback
   Make sure you include sponsorship contributions on your feedback forms. Did a local business cover the cost of your room rental? Let them know how highly your attendees rated the retreat location. Did a national company send you free products for your swag bags? Let them know how participants liked what they contributed.

These are a few of the strategies secured sponsors and partners for my retreats and conferences.

Ready to get these results too?!

I had a feeling you might, which is why I created Sponsorship Secrets, a comprehensive system for securing generous and aligned sponsors. It is literally my exact system including strategies, tracking sheets, outreach templates, and more.

Sponsorship Secrets pulls back the curtain to reveal hidden strategies so that you too can enjoy all of the benefits that sponsorship has to offer.

It guides you step-by-step through the a proven process which will result in valuable sponsorships, leading to increased attendance, increased value, increased profits, and increased impact.

Ready to score some sponsors?

50+ Retreat-Worthy Gift Bag Ideas

One of the most fun parts of planning a retreat is putting together a gift bag that will delight your attendees! I am a huge believer that everything you put into a retreat gift/swag bag should be a useful, delightful extension of your goals and aligned with your event values.

It can feel overwhelming and exciting to imagine filling up a gift bag for your retreat. Begin by outlining your outcomes for the event itself. What do you hope your attendees will walk away with? What topics are you covering? Answering those questions will help you come up with the products and services that will help them continue to meet those goals after they leave your event.

In The Brave Gatherers Facebook Community I asked, "If you could snap your fingers and have ANYTHING YOU WANT - what would be in your retreat attendee gift bag?" We came up with an amazing list of ideas that is sure to spark your imagination! (You won't find any logo stamped flashlight keychains here.)

• A delicious textile, like a scarf or a blanket because part of my mission in my retreats is to create a sensory experience that is woven into every day life

• A handlettered inspirational art print from This (Un)Scripted Life Etsy shop

• A custom journal to serve as a journal the day of the event, but also to continue their writing journey at home

• Gratitude cards

• Essential oils 

• Affirmation deck

• Inspirational art print 

• Anything to pamper (candles, bath bombs, etc.)

• Water bottle to stay hydrated

• Art prints

• Books related to the topic 

• Tea 

• Essential oil roller bottle (Maven can help you with this)

• Flowing pen

• Silk blindfold, candles, creams and oils

• A card from An Artful Breath card deck

• Lavender scented eye pillows/bags

• Gift cards for products of some of the amazing things my friends make

• Glass water jar (This is one of the gifts we give out at the Mindful Woman Retreat and it is well loved!)

• Confetti popper (to be used at a celebratory moment!)

• Homemade essential oil blend

• Bath bomb

• Lip balm

• Art supplies 

• Artwork for them to display in their work area that has a favorite quote - to remind them of our time together

• A cute & comfy event shirt with a logo or quote

• Fun pens in great colors 

• Warm & cozy blanket 

• Scarf

• Planner 

• Planner stickers 

• Gratitude notecards (I particularly love this set from Hundred Hearts Project)

• Organic skin care 

• Bath salts

• Ring, necklace or bracelet with inspirational message,

• Sweatshirt/sweater

• Cozy socks

• Packet of seeds 

• A kaleidoscope

• Wrist mala from Sacred Becoming

• Palo santo

• Candle

• For the bag itself to be reusable (I get mine from Charlie Thyme)

• Mantra deck

• Quartz crystal

• Recording of a mantra meditation

• Infinite Receiving Cards

• Custom event-specific essential oil blend (Sweet Abundance does a lovely job with this)

• Organic Cotton Recovery Robe from Recoop

• Aromatherapy perfume

• Organic chocolate

• Crystals

• Organic herbal tea

• Snack bar/protein bar 

• Something moon related

• A small string of twinkle lights

• Bookmark

• Magnet

• Tea wallet

want to fill up your retreat gift bags for free?

I had a feeling you might (I sure do!) which is why I created Sponsorship Secrets, a comprehensive system for securing generous and aligned sponsors. It is literally my exact system including strategies, tracking sheets, outreach templates, and more.

Sponsorship Secrets pulls back the curtain to reveal hidden strategies so that you too can enjoy all of the benefits that sponsorship has to offer.

It guides you step-by-step through the a proven process which will result in valuable sponsorships, leading to increased attendance, increased value, increased profits, increased impact - and lots of free goodies for your attendees!

Ready to fill your retreat gift bags for free?

Let's Change the World.

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I'm just going to jump right in on this one and I've got to warn you - I am going to get deep (it's just how I roll).

Becoming your authentic self in a culture that has very strict notions of who we “should be” is really, really hard. We slash and silence ourselves, we buy shiny shit we don’t need to fill invisible holes that we have been told that we have. We think our pain and fear means we are broken, when it just means that we are human. We fear revealing our flawed selves to each other with shame, and then we project our shame onto each other by policing and silencing each other (especially the brave ones). We make ourselves small because we are told that we cannot take up space. We run around in busy-ness and aren’t really living fully alive in our own lives. But it doesn't have to be this way.

I know it and you know it – women are the love revolution. We are rising up in conscious connection and support of each other on this life journey. We can and are changing the world, and it starts in small, intimate communities led by soulful, heart-centered, wellness and creative entrepreneurs who are passionate about changing people's lives, empowering them to explore, heal, change, grow, and unfold into their most authentically beautiful selves.

You are one of those change makers. You are longing for deeper connection and an uplifting sense of belonging, the kind that comes from a warm hug, a brave conversation, and an engaged community connected to your work. You want to get out from behind these blinding screens and sit with your community on cozy couches, around blazing fires, in circles of laughter and support. You want to hold real space for women to explore, heal, and transform. You have something beautiful, valuable, and incredibly unique to contribute to this world, and you know it (and I know it too!). You feel passionately about your work, and you want to share it with everyone you possibly can! You yearn to really impact the women who need what you have to offer, those who are on their own soulful journey toward healthy, abundant, and conscious living. You know that retreats are an incredibly powerful way to do all of this, and you know you want to host them for your community (and beyond!). And you want to do it without losing your mind (or money)!

Let's break the mold for what retreats are "supposed to be like" and offer a more attainable and community-conscious perspective. Retreats are for every body. You don't need to take a 24-hour flight and spend 7 days (and a few thousand dollars) at a retreat in Bali to change lives, ok? Some of the most powerful retreats are the ones that happen in our local/regional communities with women craving connection, support, & transformation, right now. You can plan soulful retreats with passion, purpose, and ease. You don't need to be or have anything but the drive to make a difference in people's lives.

I think I might know why you're hesitant. You don’t have a huge community of people; building your tribe is one of the reasons you want to start creating events in the first place, right?! I need you to hear me when I say this --- retreats are not just for the well-established; they are also for the just-getting-started.⠀

Live events are not something to consider for the future. Live events are something to start working toward RIGHT NOW. Everywhere you look, the top creative & wellness entrepreneurs (& so many others!) are prioritizing in-person gatherings as an essential aspect of their business model. But live event planning isn't just for the big leagues. In fact, it can be even more meaningful & profitable for small one-person businesses, transforming you from an anonymous face in a crowded marketplace, to a leader in your industry & community. Imagine if you started now, you'd close out spring 2017 celebrating the success of your first beautiful retreat, excited to plan your next one, & wondering why the heck you waited so long to start. ;)⠀

This is important work. YOU are doing life changing work, and I want you to feel confident and supported in offering retreat experiences as a part of your journey.

That's what Retreat Roadmap is all about.

The love revolution. It starts with you. It starts right now.

Let’s change the world.

XOXO Lizzy

Top 5 Reasons Retreats are Essential to Your Wellness Business

Your work is deeply valuable. You are intentional about every little detail, and it shows. You are changing your client’s lives, one at a time. Retreats will allow you broaden and deepen your reach, establishing your business as a step above the rest. Here are my top 5 reasons why retreats are essential to your wellness business.

1. In a busy world of quick, shallow exchanges and endless Facebook groups, many women are craving in-person community support networks. Even if your attendees only stay in touch via social media after your retreat, giving them a chance to connect deeply with each other in person will help them forge online friendships that go beyond emojis. Our Mindful Mama and Mindful Women retreat attendees engage regularly in a very active Facebook group open only to women who have attended one of our retreats, and many relationships have moved offline into play dates, pot luck dinners, and shared glasses of wine.

2. Retreats offer a longer timeframe to get deep with each other than one session or class. Whether you decide to hold a one day, overnight, or weekend retreat, moving through a series of experiences together will allow for the development of a deeper connection between you and your community, and within your community itself. Waiting for the bathroom during a break, negotiating yoga mat spacing, sharing art supplies, sitting down for a meal together, holding hands during a meditation, hearing each other’s stories and being present for each other in person – these are moments where new friendships are born, where wounds are healed, where people take the next step in their journey. Your retreat will facilitate this kind of magic!

3. Live events are so much fun, both to plan and to attend. Extrovert or introvert, being with each other in person gives people a chance to connect for real. There will be laughter, tears, hugs, story telling, and if you’re anything like me, probably dancing. Planning events is also a blast. I cannot get enough of all the little details; signage, branding, sessions, partners, sponsors, meals, swag bags, name tags. Each piece of planning a retreat is a chance to have fun and make it your own.

4. During a retreat, you get a chance to strengthen your audience's connection to you. Time together changes everything. You are no longer the professional at the desk, on the computer, or on the yoga mat at the front of the room; you are a living, breathing, perfectly imperfect person who will unfold in authentic ways throughout the day. They will watch you share your knowledge, facilitate conversations, and manage mishaps, and your grace and power will forge a deeper connection than you ever thought possible.

5. We need to get off of our computers and into shared physical spaces with other women who are also mindfully journeying through this beautiful, messy life. Retreats give us a chance to do it!

Now more than ever, creating a retreat series will give your business the advantage of growing a deeply connected and flourishing community of people who can benefit from your work, share their experience with others, and help your tribe growing roots & wings.

XOXO Lizzy

PS - Ready to dive in? You can get get Retreat Ready in 5 Days my mini-course, Rise Up With Retreats. It takes you through the 5 steps I use every time I am getting ready to plan a successful, sold out retreat. I want you to have the same results!