If you’ve ever hosted a free event, virtual summit, workshop, or webinar, you know just how much work goes into it. You spend weeks planning hours on graphics and slides, landing pages, webinar tools, and Facebook ads. On top of that, wrangling all the tech to make sure everything runs smoothly and having that looming worry that it will all fall flat, oh, the stress!

Sure, you’re probably adding a lot of new names to your email list (and that’s great!), but without any cash coming in, you might be wondering: Is all this effort really worth it?

The good news? Yes, it absolutely can be! There are plenty of ways to make money from a free event—you just need a few strategies in place. Let’s break it down.

1. Backend Sales: Set Up Your Follow-Up Emails

One of the biggest benefits of hosting a free event is growing your email list. But that’s only the beginning! After your event, you’ll want to make sure you’re using follow-up emails to drive sales or even earn affiliate commissions.

If you don’t already have a strong autoresponder series in place, now’s the time to create one. Set up a sequence that promotes your own products or services or even those from partners and affiliates. A well-crafted email series can help you make sales long after your event has ended.

2. Upsells and Downsells: Maximize Your Funnel

While you’re building your funnel, don’t forget to include smart tripwire, upsell, and down-sell options. Here are a few key spots where these offers can go:

• Thank You Pages – After they confirm their email, registrants will land on a thank you page. This is a great spot to remind them what to expect (event dates, log in details, etc.) While you might just say “Check your inbox,” it’s also a perfect place to include an upsell or “tripwire.”
  
• Downloadable Content – If you’re offering workbooks, transcripts, or other downloadable goodies, don’t forget to include a CTA at the end of the workbook (with a clickable link) for a related product or service in those materials. It’s a subtle yet effective way to promote what you’re offering.

3. Offer Extended Access

Many summit and workshop hosts give attendees access to the event for a limited time—usually 24 to 48 hours. You can create an additional revenue stream by offering extended or lifetime access for a fee. Some attendees will jump at the chance to revisit the content on their own schedule. Plus, people are busy, so this gives them some flexibility to enjoy your content.

4. Repurpose Your Content Into Paid Products

Once your event is over, don’t let those recordings gather digital dust! Bundle the recordings, add in transcripts or bonus materials, and turn them into a paid product. You can sell the package as a stand-alone course or offer it to your email list at a discount. This way, your free event keeps generating income long after it’s finished.

Just because your event is free to attend doesn’t mean it can’t be profitable. With a bit of thought and planning, you can turn that free summit into a revenue-generating machine—and even make a profit while you’re at it!

Ready to elevate your online business or course? The Course Creator Essential Asset Pack is here to help you create stunning, professional graphics in minutes!