Wondering whether to rely on an online summit expert or event templates for your next big event? Dive into this episode to uncover which option aligns best with your goals and resources, ensuring a successful summit experience tailored to your needs.

You’re doing it – you’re going to add loads of great leads into your list with an online summit. And what’s more… you’ve decided you want to go it alone, without a coach or expert or summit producer to help you – I get it.

And then… you realize there’s so much to do with a summit and you’ve got questions.

Enter someone selling a template, self-help kit, or online course designed (they say) to help you build your summit from soup to nuts. Thank heavens all your problems are over, right? Yeah… sorry, not really.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but all those template packages might end up doing more harm than good. And I know that sounds… like I’m generating fear and I truly am not.

Templates are amazing and I’ve got some myself that I happily offer to people interested in hosting summits. But the thing is… they can never replace the help you can get from a summit expert/producer and I’ll tell you why in a moment.

But- I also know that not everyone can hire an expert or coach or producer to support them and so, if you must use packaged templates, there’re a few pointers you can use to increase your chances of success.

What’s wrong with a good old-fashioned template?

“Templates are good. These are already proven steps someone has used before. All I need to do is adjust them to my situation. What do you mean I can’t use them?”

The answer is quite simple. The person who designed the template knows absolutely nothing about you or your business so editing those templates, be it copy or landing pages or graphics… it might not work without you putting in more effort than would be necessary if you were using copy and strategies that are 100% designed just for you, just for your niche.

One of the main objectives of a summit is building your list – not just any list, but a list of quality leads right? So make sure that any templates you use will speak to YOUR ideal leads and be either written in the right way or visually represent your brand and niche in the right way.

If you feel confident enough to edit the templates to fit your business, that’s awesome and I highly encourage it, just be super careful that you capture your voice or essence in what you’re trying to create.

What’s good for the goose is not always good for the gander

My grandmother used to say that phrase and as a kid… I had no clue what she meant until I tried to use someone else’s formula to improve my business.

Now, don’t get me wrong, kits and templates can help you organize your event. Can they help you organize a successful event, though? From my experience, the results are a bit 50/50.

Pre-packaged solutions tend to leave out important nitty-gritty details an expert would focus on. And they were made by someone who created them usually for their business, from their own summit.

I’m going to be really direct here (sorry), but sadly there are people who run 1 or 2 summits and bam! They are now experts at running summits and try to cash in on selling their “system”. I love that for them and no shade from me but I’ve seen what happens when an entrepreneur thinks they are getting a one stop shop solution and they get something missing a ton of info.

The truth is, I’ve been producing summits since 2013, and have successfully produced over 350 and counting. The templates I’ve created for my clients come from strategies and techniques I’ve tested on MULTIPLE clients and in multiple niches and businesses. They WORK.

And that’s why the biggest problem I see with kits and templates is they might not be customized to your specific situation.

For instance, I have many clients with ADHD and who are not neurotypical. I have clients with anxiety issues. That’s something a template solution can never account for. I’ve had clients who are still in their day job and need to work on their summit in the off hours, and clients who are trying to homeschool their kids due to the pandemic (which was nuts!). Those clients need a human being to help them produce the event more often than not so they get the attention they need and we can find solutions to problems you don’t know will happen.

As a summit expert, I always work to my client’s specific problem or situation.

You need someone who understands your business

Copy and paste solutions are not designed with your niche, target demographic or unique circumstances in mind.

Target audiences are different. Some prefer to use Twitter, while others would rather use Reddit. Some prefer game-like promotions where they participate in contests, while others would find that extremely annoying.

A template will struggle to help you navigate these different groups. There’s too many variables.

I always help my clients make everything about their events, from presentations to emails, unique.

I’ve looked at some of the template emails on the market. Truth be told, I’m not really impressed (and why I’ve created my own that are better designed and more helpful with trainings included).

People who use these templates often get lost. When they do, there’s no one to turn to.

I always see people post that their event is six weeks away, and they’re at their wit’s end. Their events have extremely low numbers of subscribers.

Because they didn’t get an expert in their corner, they’re struggling to solve their problems.

I always make a point of commenting on such posts and give advice. Most of the time, that bit of advice actually helps. And that’s considering I’m only a summit expert they met on social media, who doesn’t have their entire file in hand.

Good templates and guides exist

Like I said, templates are not totally worthless. And if you’re good at using them as a launching point – that’s awesome.

If you really must use them, here are a few pointers.

Who wrote the resource?

Always check the creators credentials. If they’re someone who’s organized dozens of successful summits, they know what they’re talking about.

On the other hand, a one-hit expert basing their template on a single successful event they’ve hosted is not an authority.

I know many people in my niche who’ve done several summits. They’ve written a number of guides and tips. Their materials can be trusted because they know what they’re talking about.

When you read their tips, you know you’re taking in something that’s been proven to be successful more than once. It’s not a fluke or a one-hit-wonder.

What are others saying?

Check out reviews on social and elsewhere. Carefully note what people are saying about this person and their products?

What do other people have to say about the how-to? If it isn’t working for many people, the chances of it working for you are slim.

A summit expert is always the better alternative where possible

If you’re thinking about doing a summit, make sure you’re planning ahead! I always suggest you have a 120 day (or more) plan for your summit launch.

Try not to do it too quickly and be cautious of where and how you’re spending your money. Anyone can put up a shingle and call themselves a summit expert. Verify the credentials and authority of anyone selling you DIY guides.

I’m always willing to give out free tips on social media. So don’t hesitate to reach out.

I’ve organized over 350 successful summits. Are you stuck and feeling overwhelmed by your own event? Do you prefer having a summit expert in your corner from day one? Don’t hesitate to book a free call with me today.