Want to position yourself as an expert and make money while helping others?
Learn how to create a workshop and you’ll unlock a goldmine of opportunity.
I’ve seen workshops that make 10k+ in a matter of days. But I’ve also seen ones that have crashed and burned with events that barely covered the cost of a morning coffee.
Here’s the difference between workshops that crush it and those that flop miserably…
Why Creating Workshops Is Your Next Power Move
Workshops are money-making MACHINES.
They’re the perfect blend of teaching, connection, and sales opportunity.
Here’s why you need to master how to create a workshop ASAP:
- Instant Authority Status – Nothing says “I know my shit” like teaching a live room
- Cash in Your Pocket – Get paid upfront for your knowledge
- Build Your Following – Convert casual fans into ride-or-die community members
- Test Your Digital Products – See what resonates before creating larger offerings
According to event planning experts at Eventbrite, workshops that clearly communicate their transformation see 3X higher completion rates than those that don’t.
Let’s break down exactly how to create a workshop that delivers results…
Planning Your Workshop: The Foundation of Success
Planning is where 90% of workshops live or die.
Most creators jump straight to content creation.
Big mistake.
Start with these foundational elements instead:
Define Your Workshop Topic (That People Actually Want)
Your topic needs to hit the sweet spot between:
- What you’re passionate about
- What you know deeply
- What people will pay for
Here are some workshop ideas that consistently convert:
| Workshop Topic | Pain Point It Solves |
|---|---|
| How to Write an Ebook | Turning expertise into passive income |
| Creating Online Courses | Scaling your teaching beyond 1:1 |
| Building an Online Membership | Creating recurring revenue streams |
| Starting a Paid Newsletter | Monetizing your writing skills |
| Running an Online Challenge | Growing your audience rapidly |
Notice something?
All of these topics focus on creating digital products that solve specific problems.
Pick ONE thing and go deep.
Set Clear Goals and Objectives (No Fluffy BS)
What’s the point of your workshop?
Get specific.
Ask yourself:
- What will participants KNOW by the end?
- What will they be able to DO?
- How will they FEEL?
Your workshop needs to deliver a clear transformation.
Here’s how to structure your objectives:
| Goal Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Knowledge | Understand the 3-part formula for creating profitable digital products |
| Skill | Create an outline for their first ebook |
| Mindset | Feel confident charging premium prices for their expertise |
The best workshops promise one big transformation, not twenty tiny ones.
Check out the SMART goals framework if you need help getting specific with your objectives.
Designing Your Workshop That Actually Engages
Let’s be honest.
Most workshops are boring AF.
People zone out. Check their phones. Wonder why they wasted money.
Not yours.
Here’s how to design a workshop that keeps people on the edge of their seats:
Structure Your Workshop Agenda (With Perfect Pacing)
Your agenda is your roadmap.
Get this wrong, and you’ll lose people faster than a Netflix show that starts with 20 minutes of credits.
Here’s a proven workshop structure that works:
| Time | Activity | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Powerful Open & Promise | Sets expectations and builds excitement |
| 10:15 – 10:45 | Your Origin Story & Credibility | Establishes why they should listen to you |
| 10:45 – 11:30 | Core Content Block #1 | Delivers immediate value |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Interactive Activity | Applies learning and reengages attention |
| 11:45 – 12:30 | Core Content Block #2 | Builds on foundation with deeper insights |
| 12:30 – 1:00 | Implementation Session | Ensures they take action on what they learned |
See the pattern?
Teach, apply, teach, apply.
This rhythm keeps energy high and prevents the dreaded “workshop coma.”
For more insights on creating engaging content, check out my guide on how to create an online course.
Create Content That Makes People Say “DAMN”
Your content is the heart of your workshop.
But here’s the truth: information alone is worthless.
What matters is how you DELIVER it.
Make your content unforgettable with:
- Real Stories – Share your failures, breakthroughs, and client wins
- Visual Frameworks – Create simple models that make complex ideas click
- Unexpected Insights – Challenge conventional wisdom with fresh perspectives
- Actionable Tools – Give templates and checklists they can use immediately
People forget information, but they remember experiences.
Create moments that stick.
Marketing Your Workshop: Fill Those Seats!
You’ve created an amazing workshop.
Now what?
Crickets don’t pay the bills.
Here’s how to fill those seats:
Know EXACTLY Who Your Workshop Is For
Generic workshops attract nobody.
Get hyper-specific about who you’re serving.
Ask yourself:
- What keeps them up at night?
- What have they tried before?
- What will happen if they don’t solve this problem?
- What becomes possible when they do?
The more specific you get, the more your ideal participants will feel like you’re reading their minds.
Check out this targeted profile:
| Aspect | Your Ideal Workshop Participant |
|---|---|
| Demographics | 30-45 year old professionals with expertise to share |
| Current Situation | Has valuable knowledge but struggles to package it |
| Frustrations | Tired of trading time for money in 1:1 services |
| Goals | Create scalable income through digital products |
| Objections | “I don’t have time” and “I’m not tech-savvy” |
When you know exactly who you’re talking to, your marketing practically writes itself.
Choose Platforms That Actually Reach Your People
Don’t waste time being everywhere.
Focus on platforms where your ideal participants already hang out.
Here’s what works for workshop promotion:
| Platform | Best For | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Email List | Your existing audience | 3-part launch sequence with early-bird pricing |
| Facebook Groups | Finding new audiences | Valuable comments + strategic storytelling |
| Professional audiences | Case study posts and direct outreach | |
| Visual/lifestyle content | Behind-the-scenes stories and testimonial highlights |
The key? Start with ONE platform and master it before adding others.
My most successful workshop came from just FIVE strategic posts in the right Facebook group.
It’s not about reaching everyone – it’s about reaching the RIGHT people.
Want more marketing strategies? Check out my guide on how to create printables that can enhance your workshop materials.
Setting Up Your Workshop: The Technical Stuff
The technical setup can make or break your workshop experience.
Get this wrong, and you’ll spend half your time apologizing for tech issues.
Not. Fun.
Choose Tools That Won’t Fail You
Keep it simple.
You don’t need 17 different platforms to run a successful workshop.
Here’s what actually works:
| Tool Type | Recommendations | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Video Platform | Zoom or Google Meet | Reliable, familiar, and easy to use |
| Presentation | Google Slides or Canva | Cloud-based to prevent disasters |
| Payment Processing | Stripe + simple checkout page | Low fees, high conversion |
| Worksheets/Materials | PDF + Google Docs | Accessible on any device |
Remember: The best tech is the tech that becomes invisible.
Your participants should be focused on your content, not struggling with complicated systems.
For more on creating simple but effective digital tools, see my guide on how to create an email course.
Prepare Your Space for Maximum Impact
Your environment affects your energy.
And your energy affects your participants.
Set up your workspace for success:
- Clean background – Remove distractions
- Good lighting – Face a window or use a ring light
- Stable internet – Wired connection if possible
- Backup plan – Have phone hotspot ready just in case
- Do Not Disturb mode – On EVERYTHING
Pro tip: Run a full tech rehearsal 24 hours before your workshop.
Test your slides, your camera, your audio, and your internet connection.
This simple step has saved me from countless workshop disasters.
Delivering Your Workshop: Showtime!
This is where the rubber meets the road.
All your planning comes down to this moment.
Here’s how to knock it out of the park:
Engage Your Participants (No More Boring Lectures)
Engagement isn’t optional – it’s EVERYTHING.
The difference between a mediocre workshop and a mind-blowing one?
Interaction.
Here’s how to keep people engaged:
- Start with a pattern interrupt – Do something unexpected in the first 3 minutes
- Ask questions that make people think, not just respond
- Use polls to get people participating and see real-time feedback
- Share stories that illustrate your points and create emotional connection
- Create “aha” moments where concepts suddenly click
Remember: Energy is contagious.
If you’re excited about what you’re teaching, your participants will feel it too.
Make Participation Impossible to Resist
Passive participants forget 90% of what you teach.
Active participants implement and get results.
Make participation irresistible with:
| Technique | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Breakout Rooms | Small group discussions that boost confidence |
| Timed Challenges | Short activities with specific outcomes |
| Hot Seats | Live coaching that benefits everyone |
| Accountability Partners | Paired participants who support each other |
| Public Commitments | Sharing next steps builds follow-through |
The magic formula: Make it safe, make it simple, make it rewarding.
For more engagement strategies, check out my guide on how to run an online challenge.
Evaluating Your Workshop: Learn and Improve
Your workshop is over.
But your work isn’t.
The most successful workshop creators have one thing in common:
They treat every workshop as a learning opportunity.
Get Feedback That Actually Helps
Most feedback forms suck.
They ask vague questions that get vague answers.
Instead, ask questions that drive improvement:
| Question Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Specific Value | “What was the most valuable thing you learned?” |
| Implementation | “What’s the first thing you’ll implement?” |
| Obstacles | “What questions are still unanswered?” |
| Improvement | “If you could change one thing, what would it be?” |
Pro tip: Send your feedback form DURING the workshop, not after.
You’ll get 3x more responses.
Reflect and Refine for Next Time
Take an hour after your workshop to capture your insights.
Ask yourself:
- What moments created the most engagement?
- Where did energy drop?
- What questions caught me off guard?
- What would make this 10x more valuable?
Document everything while it’s fresh.
This simple practice has helped me transform good workshops into great ones, and great workshops into sold-out events with waiting lists.
The Bottom Line on Creating Killer Workshops
Learning how to create a workshop isn’t just about teaching content.
It’s about creating experiences that transform.
Here’s what matters most:
- Start with a clear transformation your participants crave
- Design for engagement, not just information
- Market to the right people with specific messaging
- Deliver with energy and make participation the default
- Learn from every workshop to make the next one better
Workshops are your secret weapon for building authority, growing your audience, and selling digital products.
Master this skill, and you’ll never struggle to fill your programs again.
Now go create a workshop that blows minds and opens wallets.
YOU GOT THIS 🙌
In your corner,
Adam