In the exciting world of Virtual Summits, two concepts often come into play: the “gift” and the “VIP gift”. While they both provide value and opportunities to build relationships and engagement, they are distinctly different in their application and function. Today, we aim to provide a simple and clear understanding of these two key aspects for coaches and speakers who are considering participating in virtual summits.
Firstly, let’s discuss the “gift”.
A “gift” in a Virtual Summit context refers to a downloadable resource or “lead magnet” offered by a speaker during the event.
Lead magnets can range from informative eBooks or reports to video tutorials or cheat sheets. This resource doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical object, but something that provides value to your audience.
The key characteristic of such a gift is that it is offered for free to every participant who registers for the summit. They simply need to provide their email address to access the gift.
Offering a gift is a brilliant way for speakers to build their email list and create a connection with the audience. It’s a win-win for both parties: the speakers get potential client information while the audience receives valuable content for free in return.
Now, let’s talk a bit about the “VIP gift”.
Unlike the regular gift, the “VIP gift” is closely tied to a premium or upgraded experience within the virtual summit.
It is a product or service offered by the speaker which the participant typically has to pay to access outside of the summit. However, those audience members who choose to upgrade their summit experience (usually through purchasing a VIP ticket) can receive this offering as a part of their ticket price.
It’s crucial for this VIP gift to hold a significant value and exclusivity. It shouldn’t be something that can be accessed for free on the speaker’s website or given away freely in other circumstances without a form of payment. This exclusivity enhances the perceived value of the VIP ticket and provides a satisfactory return to the attendees for their investment.
The clear differentiation between a standard gift and a VIP gift is integral in a successful Virtual Summit. While every attendee should feel valued and gain something, those who invest more should derive an elevated benefit, enriching their overall experience.
Remember, it’s not just about offering gifts for the sake of it, but ensuring that as a coach or speaker your gift provides quality and value. This approach builds credibility and trust and lays down the foundation for future interactions with your audience.
As a coach, the benefit of providing a VIP Gift for a summit is that when someone opts in for it, you know they paid money. They are not tire kickers, unwilling to invest in themselves.
Understanding these two distinct components – the gift and the VIP gift – aids in leveraging your virtual summit experience to the fullest.
The strategic deployment of both Gifts and VIP Gifts can make a huge difference to building a quality list, deepen engagement, and drive audience satisfaction in the Virtual Summit.
Gift “Value”
A “gift” can be given a perceived value, or if you have sold it in the past, use that value. But attendees would expect you to be realistic. We recommend not saying “$10,000 of value”, for instance.
A “VIP Gift” – we recommend that you have sold it for a specific amount in the past, and use that value. Some might say “Book 45 minutes of my time – worth $1500” (actual example) – yet will take these meetings free of charge, or only charge $100 if you book from the website.
For both, the higher value you can use ethically, the better for you and the summit. It enables the host to say “buy the VIP ticket and get $x,xxx in value from the VIP gifts”.
We have seen speakers give away real value – courses they have charged $997 or $1,997 in the past, and have the sales page and receipts to prove it.
We have also seen speakers give away VIP gifts valued at $50 with tremendous value, both for the audience and for the speaker.
Gift Ideas:
- Template or Worksheet: Practical tools like templates or worksheets related to your coaching area can be incredibly valuable, as they provide instant usability for your audience.
- Checklist: A useful, targeted checklist can be a tremendous assistance to your audience. For example, if you’re coaching on productivity, a daily productivity schedule can be a neat gift.
- Ebook Guide: An ebook that breaks down a complex subject within your field can serve as a fantastic gift. This can provide massive value to your audience and aids in establishing you as an authority in your field.
- Webinar Recording: A recording of a webinar that relates to the topic of your talk can be a great gift. It gives attendees another chance to learn from you.
- Exclusive Podcast Episode: Give your audience access to an unreleased or bonus podcast episode. They get exclusive content and a taste of your ongoing offerings, all in one.
VIP Gift Ideas:
- One-On-One Coaching Session: A personal session with you could be an amazing VIP gift, offering deep value and creating a strong connection between you and the attendee.
- Advanced Online Course: An online course that typically requires paid access is an excellent VIP gift. It offers attendees expanded learning opportunities from their summit experience.
- Membership Access: If you run a paid membership site or community, giving free access for a month or two can be a lucrative VIP gift.
- Premium Product or Services: If you offer products or services, such as exclusive tools or resources not easily available elsewhere, these can be included as VIP gifts offering tangible/additional value.
- Event Tickets: If you are planning future summits, retreats, or workshops, offering a free ticket or a hefty discount could be an enticing VIP gift.
Remember, the key for both gifts and VIP gifts is to offer something of unique value that directly benefits your audience while highlighting your expertise as a coach or speaker.