Don't Be A No Show

Have you ever done a FREE public event, such as a workshop or a lecture, and then have people who registered, not show up? What were your thoughts when you looked at the sign-in sheet and saw so many registered people not checked off?

I held a FREE lecture earlier this year. It was a joint event with a fellow speaker and we held it at a Marriott hotel. It was a 2-hour event offering cutting edge marketing advice and an opportunity for my partner and I to get noticed by potential prospects.

When our event was over and the hotel staff was stacking chairs, I noticed that there were over 20 names on the registration list that did not check in. Our event tracking system easily allowed those who registered to cancel their seat, as we sent out reminder emails the day before. If any of these NO SHOWs engaged me for business, I'm not sure I'd be willing to move forward.

Why do some professional not follow through on their intentions. I’m sure a few could have had extenuating circumstances that kept them from attending, but 20? We did have 2 or 3 who sent emails after the fact, apologizing for not attending, but what about the other 17?

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Maybe it was the fact that we did not charge for this event, making some feel as if it had no value. Then all it would have taken was for something in their morning to fight for their attention and win out over the FREE workshop on their calendar, to keep them from following through.

What about networking meetings in which you made plans to meet someone for a cup of coffee or for lunch, and they don’t show. Don’t be a NO SHOW. Savvy business professionals don’t want to work with NO SHOWs. There will be instances of missing something on your calendar or getting the location wrong, but aside from human mistakes, SHOW UP for what you agree to.

Any stories of NO SHOWS you’d like to add in the comments section below?