My Top 5 Tips From Leading 100+ Workshops

Have you ever thought about hosting a group workshop? Here are some tips to lead a workshop people never forget!

Welcome back to the Primal Question Newsletter.

My name is Mike Foster. If you’re new around here, I’m an Executive Coach who works with all sorts of world changers, from Navy SEALs to reality stars to nonprofit founders to executives of billion-dollar companies.

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A few weeks ago, I wrote about 5 Lessons From Selling 300k Books as a Self-Published Author.

I got a ton of great feedback, so thank you all for sharing your thoughts! Writing a book is a great way to help more people and grow your coaching practice, but it’s also a BIG undertaking. That’s why, today, I want to share another powerful tool for helping people beyond 1-on-1 sessions.

I want to show you…

How to Lead Memorable Workshops!

Have you ever thought about hosting a group workshop?

If so, this is for you. I’ve led over 100 workshops over the past 10 years. I’ve learned a lot of “dos and don'ts” that I'd like to share with you today to help you jump ahead in your ability to do this effectively.

Two quick notes before we dive in…

1. If you want to attend one of my workshops with Bob Goff, you can sign up for the next one here.

2. My new Primal Question Coach Certification launches soon. In addition to teaching you the Primal Question model, I’ll train you to coach individuals, facilitate group workshops, and give powerful keynotes. There are only 20 spots, so join the waitlist to get the registration link 24 hours before everyone else.

First of all…

What is a workshop?

I think it’s best to define it by what it isn’t.

A workshop is not a speaking engagement at a conference, church, or other large audience. This is important to note because many people make the mistake of treating workshops like speaking engagements. They prepare a ton of content, but as I’ll share in a moment, you want to make sure you leave plenty of space for interaction.

Think of a workshop as a hybrid between a speaking engagement and a one-on-one session.

Workshops are a great way to cast a wide net that allows more people to experience your work. If you have empty spots in your coaching practice, I recommend hosting a workshop so people can get a taste of your coaching before committing to working with you one-on-one. Or even if your practice is full, hosting a workshop is a great way to “scale” your impact.

Now that we’ve defined what it is and what it isn’t, let’s dive in.

5 Tips to Lead a Memorable Workshop

Tip #1: Create an Amazing Environment

This might sound obvious, but there’s a reason I’m putting this first.

The environment is my highest priority for any workshop. You might think that content is more important, but the truth is, the setting and atmosphere of the space can make or break people’s experience. I see a lot of people skimp on this. They know it should be a priority, but due to budget or time constraints, they compromise and settle for a less-than-ideal environment.

Consider the things you can control. Bring your own lighting, speakers, air fresheners, plants, flowers, etc., to create a space that feels inviting, safe, and conducive to openness and growth.

Tip #2: Make a Great First Impression

First impressions are crucial.

Maya Angelou said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This might sound a bit over the top, but when I host a workshop at my house, I don’t let anyone knock on my door. I make sure to greet each participant at the door before they have a chance to knock. I want people to feel welcomed, like I’m excited to see them, and like I’ve been eagerly waiting for them (because I have).

This small gesture sets the tone for the entire experience, making them feel seen, valued, and welcomed.

You don’t have to do it the exact same way I do it, but ask yourself: “What’s 1 thing I can do upon their arrival to make their very first impression exceptional?”

Tip #3: Cut Your Content in Half

Humans want to talk and listen… but mostly, they want to talk.

Remember, this is not a speaking engagement. It’s a workshop. Most of us will overprepare on content and forget to involve the participants in the conversation. Instead, aim for a 50/50 balance between your content and group discussion. See yourself as a facilitator and a guide, not a professor. Be the person who helps others open up and share.

A good rule of thumb for me is to create the full presentation I want to give and then cut my number of slides in half.

Tip #4: Bring the Play-Doh

Good workshops have PowerPoint slides. Great workshops have Play-Doh.

Want people to come alive during your workshop? Then make it different. Make it unique. Make it memorable. Make it FUN! One of the best ways to make a workshop memorable is to help people get out of their heads and into their bodies. Help them get out of their left brain and into their right brain by making it experiential. Invite them to draw, do crafts, move around, and use Play-Doh.

These interactive elements will create moments people remember forever.

Tip #5: Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready

Workshops are a laboratory, not a showroom.

Remember, a workshop is not permanent like a book. You can adapt it over time. So don’t wait until your content is “perfect”. Don’t wait until you feel like you have it all figured out or feel officially “qualified” (whatever that means).

Embrace the messiness and view each workshop as an opportunity to experiment, iterate, and improve. The most memorable moments often arise from spontaneous interactions and in-the-moment adaptations.

If you do a good job involving participants, their questions and comments will refine your content more effectively than you could on your own.

BONUS TIP: If you have a book idea, lead a workshop on the content. This is a great way to test the ideas in the wild and see how they land in real people’s lives.

Here's my challenge to you:

If you've been sitting on the idea of leading a workshop, take one small step today to make it a reality.

Whether it's jotting down some topic ideas, reaching out to potential venues, or simply setting a date on your calendar, commit to sharing your gifts with a group of people who would benefit from your guidance.

Remember, workshops are not only a way to impact more lives but also a fantastic opportunity for business development. By showcasing your coaching skills in a group setting, you'll attract more one-on-one clients, build your reputation, and grow your practice.

If you found these tips helpful, I'd love to hear from you!

Comment below to share any additional workshop tips or ask questions. And if you know someone else who wants to lead a workshop, share these tips with them using this link.

Thanks for reading,

Mike Foster

P.S. Remember, the Primal Question Coach Certification launches soon!

If you want more in-depth training on how to lead workshops, coach individuals, and give powerful keynotes, join the waitlist to get the registration link 24 hours before everyone else.