Seminar Marketing:"Plate Lickers"

The comment I get most frequently is about meal seminars. Producers don't like to offer a meal at their seminars. The number one reason is "plate lickers". I guess the use of a derogatory term helps one feel better about people who are taking advantage of a free meal. Most "plate lickers" will tell you that they do have assets and those assets are currently invested. They will also tell you that if you would give them a compelling enough reason to move those assets, they would seriously consider it. It's amusing that authorities are concerned that we are taking advantage of seniors by offering them a meal as "bait" to bring them to a seminar. Many producers would tell you that many seniors come to seminars to take advantage of the free meal making the producer the victim. I feel that the truth lies somewhere in between. While some may take advantage of the meal, it's quite uncomfortable to sit through an hour presentation just to eat when they can afford to pay for it. I believe that they want a good message and we should deliver one. If the message delivered is boring, we deserve the negative outcome. While there are good reasons for a no meal seminar, there are very few topics compelling enough to draw a significant crowd.

There are three topics that are compelling enough to draw a good attendance without a meal. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Each one of these seminars must deliver a message to the right demographic, with excellent timing. All other topics need a meal to support attendance. I'll be glad to explain, but I would be writing all day.