How to Cover Costs
Wondering how to cover the costs of a Parenting Seminar? Here are some ideas:
1. Charge a modest admission fee to the seminar
Most parents have no problem paying for a training event of this type. In fact, it’s often harder to get people to come to a free seminar than one they have to buy tickets for because in many people’s minds – “you get what you pay for.” Host churches frequently charge anywhere from $10.00 to $25.00 per person for the seminar, depending on how many people are expected, the economic or demographic profile of families in the community, whether food/refreshments are served, and other factors.
2. Advertise the seminar widely in your community
Our seminars will appeal to all parents, whether or not they are members of your church or of any church. These seminars have been designed to communicate effectively with all parents, not just those who have a church background. If you will advertise the seminar in the local media newspaper, radio, direct mail advertising, placing posters in businesses and schools, distributing flyers throughout the neighborhood, word of mouth – you’ll be surprised at how many people will come. You might want to hold the seminar at a neutral location – like a community center or school auditorium – in order to appeal more to the unchurched crowd. Some churches have contacted local radio talk show producers and scheduled on-air interviews with the seminar presenter (we can often arrange this for you). Bottom line: the more exposure you can give the seminar, the more people you will attract. This approach will not only help to cover costs, but also be a great way to reach out to the community and introduce new people to the ministries of your church.
3. Co-host the seminar with other churches in your area
If the seminar costs are shared by several churches, then the seminar becomes less of a financial burden for one church. The host church (perhaps yours) can provide the facility and take responsibility for booking the seminar, but the other churches can commit to cover a portion of the seminar costs. We can provide additional posters and publicity materials for the other churches as well.
4. Get sponsors!
Local businesses or individuals can be invited to help underwrite the costs of the seminar. You might offer “exhibit space” for a local Christian bookstore or Christian college in exchange for a sponsorship.
5. Get your youth group to help raise the funds
Do teenagers want their parents to understand them better? You bet they do. Challenge your kids to help raise the money to provide a Parenting seminar for their parents. Make sure the kids know that when their parents attend this seminar, they will become better parents – not stricter parents or less-easy-to-manipulate parents. They, the kids, will benefit from this seminar – why not help make it happen?
Wondering how to cover the costs of a Parenting Seminar? Here are some ideas:
1. Charge a modest admission fee to the seminar
Most parents have no problem paying for a training event of this type. In fact, it’s often harder to get people to come to a free seminar than one they have to buy tickets for because in many people’s minds – “you get what you pay for.” Host churches frequently charge anywhere from $10.00 to $25.00 per person for the seminar, depending on how many people are expected, the economic or demographic profile of families in the community, whether food/refreshments are served, and other factors.
2. Advertise the seminar widely in your community
Our seminars will appeal to all parents, whether or not they are members of your church or of any church. These seminars have been designed to communicate effectively with all parents, not just those who have a church background. If you will advertise the seminar in the local media newspaper, radio, direct mail advertising, placing posters in businesses and schools, distributing flyers throughout the neighborhood, word of mouth – you’ll be surprised at how many people will come. You might want to hold the seminar at a neutral location – like a community center or school auditorium – in order to appeal more to the unchurched crowd. Some churches have contacted local radio talk show producers and scheduled on-air interviews with the seminar presenter (we can often arrange this for you). Bottom line: the more exposure you can give the seminar, the more people you will attract. This approach will not only help to cover costs, but also be a great way to reach out to the community and introduce new people to the ministries of your church.
3. Co-host the seminar with other churches in your area
If the seminar costs are shared by several churches, then the seminar becomes less of a financial burden for one church. The host church (perhaps yours) can provide the facility and take responsibility for booking the seminar, but the other churches can commit to cover a portion of the seminar costs. We can provide additional posters and publicity materials for the other churches as well.
4. Get sponsors!
Local businesses or individuals can be invited to help underwrite the costs of the seminar. You might offer “exhibit space” for a local Christian bookstore or Christian college in exchange for a sponsorship.
5. Get your youth group to help raise the funds
Do teenagers want their parents to understand them better? You bet they do. Challenge your kids to help raise the money to provide a Parenting seminar for their parents. Make sure the kids know that when their parents attend this seminar, they will become better parents – not stricter parents or less-easy-to-manipulate parents. They, the kids, will benefit from this seminar – why not help make it happen?
