Summit Host Hangout

I share a lot about strategy and marketing for virtual summits, but there's one element that can majorly impact your summit that we haven't talked about on the podcast since 2019: design. In this episode, I'm joined by Tracey Albrecht of Soapbox Studio to discuss why amateur-looking graphics might be costing you registrations and sales. We'll break down the most common summit design mistakes, share simple tips for non-designers, and explain why your visual branding directly impacts your summit's success. Whether you're a DIY designer or considering hiring help, this conversation will help you create a more polished, professional summit that converts. Plus, Tracey shares some surprisingly affordable ways to get professional design help without breaking the bank. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/301

Sometimes we need results in 30 days, not 90! And sometimes a big summit feels like too much...and that's okay! In this episode, I'm comparing the time it takes to host a summit vs. a challenge and sharing the exact numbers that came in through a challenge that took about 10 hours of my time. If you've been thinking "I know I need to do something, but a summit feels like too much right now" or you hosted a summit and feel the momentum fading, this conversation will give you a different perspective on what's possible.

It's episode 300 of the Summit Host Hangout® Podcast! To celebrate, I'm flipping the script and letting my team interview do the interviewing. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at who I am beyond the business, from my rapid-fire preferences to how I juggle homeschooling while running Summit in a Box®. We dive into the evolution of virtual summits over the past 7 years, my decision-making process for the endless stream of ideas I have, and the moment I knew this business was going to work. I hope you enjoy this honest, unfiltered look at the journey (and human) behind Summit in a Box®! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/300

"When should I host a summit and when should I run a challenge?" In this Summit Conversations episode, I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look at exactly how I make this decision. You'll hear my loose pattern for alternating between 1-2 summits and 2-3 challenges per year, plus the strategic reasoning behind that rhythm. Whether you're trying to significantly grow your audience or re-engage the people you already have, this episode will help you choose the right tool for where your business is today. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/ Get your ticket for Sales Between Summits: https://www.summitinabox.co/sales-between-summits

Last week, I went from "absolutely NOT doing sponsorships" for my upcoming summit to landing $4,250 in confirmed sponsors in less than 24 hours. And it all happened because I gave a client advice that I immediately realized I needed to take myself!   In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that changed how I approach sponsorships. You'll hear about the coaching call moment that opened my eyes to how I was overcomplicating things, the simple sponsorship packages I created in under an hour, and why stripping away the "busy work" actually makes sponsors happier.   Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of adding sponsors to your summit or you've been telling yourself something in your business is "too complicated," this story might just give you the perspective shift you need.   Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

I've heard a lot of summit hosts say they're skipping communities entirely because "engagement is dead." But what if the solution isn't removing communities—it's knowing how to make them thrive? In this episode, I'm chatting with membership expert Sandra De Freitas about how she created one of the most vibrant summit communities I've ever experienced. She shares her "dinner party" approach to community building, simple games that drive engagement, and her three-part framework for posts that communicate, engage, and convert. Whether you're using Facebook groups or another platform, you'll discover practical strategies to build a summit community that attendees, speakers, and sponsors all love to participate in. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/299

In this behind-the-scenes episode, I'm sharing how my summit planning process has evolved from my first few events (where I did everything) to now hosting multiple summits per year while working just 20 hours per week. You'll hear what tasks I still handle, what my team takes care of, and how this evolution happened step by step over 14 summits. Plus, I'm sharing the piece of summit planning I'd recommend you outsource first if you're ready to start building your own support system. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Many of you have run into a massive disconnect that doesn't need to exist between summit hosts and speakers. The gap between what summit hosts expect speakers to know and what many experts actually understand about online summits and marketing. In this episode, I'm sharing why even speakers with huge social followings might struggle with basic summit participation, the four main areas where this gap appears, and practical strategies to bridge it. Whether you've been frustrated by speakers who don't promote or confused by experts who don't understand the value of participating, this episode provides the framework you need to transform speaker confusion into summit success. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/298

"Ever had that sinking feeling when you discover another summit host has chosen the exact same dates as your event? In this episode, I'm sharing my honest approach to handling summit scheduling conflicts and why giving another person power over your timeline isn't the answer. You'll hear about the three different scenarios you might face, when it makes sense to move your dates (and when it absolutely doesn't), and how to move forward confidently no matter what. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.  Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/"

Planning a second summit doesn't mean starting from scratch! In this behind-the-scenes look at my upcoming Membership Momentum summit, I'm sharing exactly how I'm approaching round two after a successful first event. When you run a summit for the second time, you get to focus on optimization instead of creation - and it's actually kind of fun! I'm walking through my decision-making process about what stays the same, what needs tweaking, and what we're completely changing based on attendee feedback and our results. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Email is, by far, the most effective way to promote a virtual summit. But how can you ensure the emails you're writing will do the job of increasing registrations? Today we have email marketing expert, Allison Hardy, to share the top two mistakes summit hosts make in their emails, how to appeal to multiple types of buyers, and the most important parts of an effective promo email. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/297

It's not as easy to standout with a virtual summit as it was back in 2021, but today's guest is proof that it's still possible - even in the B2B space! In this episode you'll hear from Jacob Cass about how he brought his 2000 attendee goal to 23,000 attendees, how he managed that many people, the keys to his success, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/296

Have you ever taken a "workcation" where you just answered emails from a prettier location? In this episode, I'm sharing something that might sound terrifying to some entrepreneurs - how I'm taking a REAL break from my business while on a Disney cruise with my family. I'm talking about why I left my laptop at home, uninstalled Slack, and chose not to buy wifi. You'll hear how complete disconnection actually makes me more productive when I return and the transformation in my approach to time off. Even if you're running a solo operation, I'll share practical ways to make breaks possible and the systems my team and I put in place to make this work. If you think you can't possibly step away from your business right now, I challenge you to schedule a true break within the next three months. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Last week we talked about hosting a virtual summit as a Highly Sensitive Person. This week we're flipping the script to talk about hosting summits for a sensitive audience! Whether you're targeting HSPs, neurodivergent individuals, people healing from trauma, or those experiencing grief, I'm sharing practical strategies to make your event supportive and accessible. Learn how to focus on people over profit, be a cheerleader rather than stirring up pain points, create safe community spaces, thoughtfully implement (or reconsider) the ways you add urgency into your event, and so much more! The good news is that small adjustments can make a tremendous difference in how your summit is received by attendees who experience things deeply! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/295

Have you been asked to pay to speak at a summit? Or told that your email list isn't big enough to participate after someone pitched you? I'm getting on my soapbox today about the speaker requirements in the virtual summit industry that I will never get behind. I'm sharing the 3 types of common speaker requirements that make me cringe, how these tactics actually reveal flaws in a host's summit strategy, and what experienced hosts do instead to create win-win relationships with their speakers. I'm even sharing a sneak peek at my new solution to help your speakers maximize their results! This conversation might ruffle some feathers and challenge common practices you've seen (or tried), but I promise it'll lead to better results (and more ethical summits) for everyone involved. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Ever feel like your business is hitting a wall?

Are there any fellow HPSs (Highly Sensitive Person) in the house? If so, the thought of hosting a virtual summit might be a bit intimidating. In this episode, I'm sharing how being an HSP can actually be your secret superpower in the summit-hosting world! I'll break down what it means to be highly sensitive, how these traits have affected my own summit hosting journey, and practical strategies to protect your energy throughout the planning and hosting process. You'll learn how to honor your sensitivity when making strategic decisions, when to listen to your gut (and when to push through), and how to create summit experiences that feel good for everyone involved. If you've been worried that your sensitivity might hold you back from hosting a successful summit, this episode will show you exactly how to leverage your unique strengths while avoiding overwhelm! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/294

Thank GOODNESS that our businesses aren't limited by the best possible outcome we imagined when we started. Right?! In this Summit Conversations episode, I'm sharing the unexpected evolution of my own business from a simple $197 product to multiple high-level offerings that I couldn't have imagined when I began. You'll hear the specific stages of my growth, including the surprising jumps from a $12/month membership to programs generating more in a single launch than my previous annual income. I also shared why not being able to envision your "next level" might actually be perfect for where you are right now. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.  Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Earlier this week I mapped out the next 4 months of projects for our company and I thought it would be fun to give you a behind-the-scenes look at my process! I shared about my flexible planning framework, how I prioritize business needs while honoring family commitments, and how I have a solid plan, but also leave room for inspiration to strike.   Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Generally speaking, when we're looking to increase our income we look at what we can *add*. Where can we add an extra two hours to fit in this strategy that just has to be the answer? In this podcast episode you'll hear from membership mentor Samantha Harris as she breaks down the idea of exponential income, which is income dependent on impact, not hours. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/293

“It can still be an amazing and fulfilling event, even if it's small” That was a sentence I scribbled down in my summit debrief doc on the 2nd day of my recent summit. It was a more impactful realization and experience than I expected! Of course big numbers are exciting, but a small summit definitely doesn't mean that you failed. In this episode, I'm sharing how my recent "small" summit still delivered impressive results - including hitting my revenue goals! I'll walk you through how I shifted my focus from obsessing over registration numbers to creating an exceptional experience for attendees and why a smaller, more engaged audience can sometimes lead to stronger connections and higher conversion rates. Whether you're planning your first summit or your tenth, my hope is that this video will help you redefine what success looks like for your virtual events. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.  Join the community here at https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

“It can still be an amazing and fulfilling event, even if it's small” That was a sentence I scribbled down in my summit debrief doc on the 2nd day of my recent summit. It was a more impactful realization and experience than I expected! Of course big numbers are exciting, but a small summit definitely doesn't mean that you failed. In this episode, I'm sharing how my recent "small" summit still delivered impressive results - including hitting my revenue goals! I'll walk you through how I shifted my focus from obsessing over registration numbers to creating an exceptional experience for attendees and why a smaller, more engaged audience can sometimes lead to stronger connections and higher conversion rates. Whether you're planning your first summit or your tenth, my hope is that this video will help you redefine what success looks like for your virtual events. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.  Join the community here at https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Have you ever finished a summit feeling uncertain about what worked and what didn't? Or letting your numbers be the only thing that tells you whether your event was a “success” or “failure”?  In this episode, I'm breaking down my debrief process after our most recent summit.  You'll discover how I balance numbers with intuition, the surprising metrics I prioritize beyond registration counts, and how I use these insights to shape my next event strategy. I even share some honest numbers about our recent experimental summit! Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have.  Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

Can you guess the #1 thing most summit hosts look for in a potential speaker? ....list size! Can you guess the #1 thing I DON'T CARE ABOUT when I'm looking for potential speakers? ...also list size! In this episode, I'm breaking down the top 8 things I look for in my summit speakers, two things I don't care about (that others do), and I stepped on my soapbox to talk about having a list-size requirement. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/292 Podcast playlists: https://www.summitinabox.co/playlist Find Your Dream Speakers: https://www.summitinabox.co/dream-speakers

It's tempting to agree to speak at a summit, send in your presentation, do a minimal amount of promotion, and consider your job done. But what what it look like if YOU were the amazing speaker who was active in the community, on live calls, and getting everyone else pumped up? Today, I've got Sara Alepin on the podcast to share how being that standout speaker leads to direct sales (and so much more!) in her business. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/291

The "2nd week slump" is traditionally the quietest period of summit promotion. While I love to share the benefits that summits bring and how fun most of the process is, I also want to be transparent about the less glamorous side. So I recorded a short video sharing a behind-the-scenes look at: The typical pattern of registrations you'll see throughout summit promotion. What my energy is like during the slump. A pattern my coach and I have noticed in my energy when I do any launch (not just a summit). The actions I take each day to keep things moving in the right direction, even during slow periods. What I do to keep my energy up when those tasks are done (and no, it isn't "rest"). Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

I've heard a lot of people say over the years that summits only work when you have an audience of business owners. But that couldn't be further from the truth. If you target a B2C (business-to-consumer) audience, I'm happy to tell you that B2C summits tend to work even *better* than summits for business owners. I'm breaking down the reasons for that in today's episode along with sharing a long list of some of the B2C audiences we've helped clients host summits for! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/290

Last year, I cut my work hours in half to homeschool my oldest daughter. While it hasn't been easy, I've managed to find a rhythm and accomplish a lot within just 20 hours per week. In this week's Summit Conversations episode, I'm sharing: - A few things you should know about my team and me before listening to anything I have to say. - 6 tips, routines, and habits I've developed that help me make the most of the limited time I have. - A couple of examples of how it's not all butterflies and rainbows.

If you run a B2C (business-to-consumer) business, this is for you! Take this as your personal invite to Sell with a Summit: B2C Edition. Learn more and register at https://www.summitinabox.co/b2c

I see a LOT of people totally obsess over numbers when they open summit registration and get stressed about the wrong things. In this week's short-and-sweet Summit Conversation ,I'm sharing our three-phase summit announcement process, what I look at in each stage, and why it's not worth getting bent out of shape about numbers right out of the gate. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share your thoughts and ask any questions you have. Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

This is my first time hosting a summit on part-time hours and, the truth is, I miiiiight not have done a great job of accounting for working half the hours that I used to

You might think of gamification as a strategy that can make your life or business more "fun". But as this week's guest, Kimba, shared the truth is, "fun" isn't a business objective and gamification is so much more than that! In fact, in the world of summits you can use gamification in your marketing, sessions, live show-up rates, community engagement, all-access pass sales, affiliate promotion, speaker motivation, and so much more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/289

If you don't love the thought of pitching sponsors for your summit, you're not alone. After getting turned down time after time when reaching out to sponsors for a summit that ultimately led to $121k in all-access pass sales, I got creative with my strategy. And I'm giving you a behind-the-scenes look today! In this episode, you'll hear why I dislike the traditional sponsorship approach, where my current approach originated, how I filled my sponsorship spots with our upcoming summit, how I created my sponsorship packages, and what to consider if you've never offered sponsorships before. Listen to the quick episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share any thoughts or questions you have about sponsorships! Join the community here >>

I've always been a little envious of summit and bundle hosts who can put out an application for their event and get hundreds of responses. But after my experience with getting 60 applications for our upcoming summit...I'm not quite as sure

To keep a classic strategy like virtual summits working, it's important to experiment and innovate. However, we don't want that innovation to destroy the results you get from your event! In this episode, I'll break down why getting creative in summits is so important, the rewards and risks of doing so, and examples of what to have fun with vs. what you're better off to leave alone. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/288

I used to be firmly against using speaker applications to create a summit speaker lineup. I saw people using applications to be lazy and creating lineups that didn't benefit ANYONE. But I decided to give it a try in our upcoming summit for B2C business owners and leaned into speaker applications. It was an interesting process so I decided to give you a behind-the-scenes look! In this week's bonus episode, I shared… - more about why I've been against applications - what made me decided to give them a try, and  - what my thoughts are now that I'm through the process. Listen to the quick 4-minute episode and then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share any thoughts or questions you have about utilizing speaker applications! Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout/

I've been hearing a lot of doom and gloom about the online business space lately, but from my standpoint after being at it for nearly 10 years, it's all a part of the normal cycle. Tune into this week's episode to hear changes I've noticed over the past year in the world of summits, on online business as a whole, and what I think it means for us in 2025. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/287 B2C Summit Waitlist: https://www.summitinabox.co/sws-waitlist Make the Time: https://www.summitinabox.co/make-the-time

The other day I was thinking about what I wish people knew about summits.  I'm a practical thinker, so I was surprised when what came up didn't have to do with a strategy people get wrong. But what did come up was this: I wish people knew that summits don't have to be done a certain way.  If you see something in other summits that makes you think, “I could NEVER do that”...you probably don't have to. Listen to the quick 5-minute episode for examples of what you could change and why you'd want to. Then, join the conversation in the Summit Host Hangout Facebook group to share the top things you'd want to change in your summit or what you've seen others do! Join the community here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/summithosthangout

Summits are powerful for visibility but what can we do to get more visible outside of summit season? And what should we do to make the most of that visibility? Tune into my conversation with Teresa Heath-Wareing as she shares her framework for preparing to show up confidently, how to make the first few asks feel easy, and her scrappy way of landing collaborations with some of the biggest names in online business. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/286

I share a lot about the list growth revenue you'll see as a result of hosting a summit, but to be honest, those are some of the least-exciting benefits you'll see. And that's good news! While I use those immediate numbers to catch your attention, there are so many more long-term benefits you'll experience and I'm going to break those things down on the podcast this week. You'll hear the most surprising benefits I've seen in hosting my own events and then I'll share what 5 of my clients reported as benefits they would have never expected. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/285

Today I have a client sharing how she was able to host a 6-figure summit launch in her first year in business! In addition to the juicy numbers you'll also hear how she was able to avoid burnout, manage multiple businesses, and get incredible results as a sensitive and relationship-focused person. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/284

Many summit hosts claim to place a high value on diversity and inclusion in their speaker lineups, but don't take any action to truly give it their best. Today, I'm talking with visibility mentor, Mai-kee Tsang to talk about safe and inclusive speaker applications. You'll hear how she makes her events safer for attendees before a speaker even applies, the extra questions she includes in her application with the perfect wording, and how she filtered through the 85 applications for her most recent summit in a way that prioritizes speaker fit and having a diverse lineup. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/283

Outsourcing can be an intimidating subject, but in today's podcast episode, you'll hear how waiting to hire might actually be hurting your business. Faith Mariah is here to share how she made an initial hire for a few hours per week and now barely touches a thing when she runs virtual summits, bundles, and other launches. You'll hear how she recommends getting started, how to ensure you get an ROI, and more. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/282

Running a business can be tough when you feel like no one knows who you are. Connections not only speed up growth, but make things a whole lot more enjoyable. In this episode, you'll hear how Jas Maylin went from not having any industry connections to building incredible relationships with her speakers through her first virtual summit. Plus, she saw her list grow from 50 to 900 and brought in 5-figures in revenue! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/281

This week's episode is a fun one. You'll get to hear from one of our clients, Bail Ansari of Just One More Project, about her totally unexpected success with virtual summits. She went from having a hobby to being a CEO, she "accidentally" added over 300 members to her membership, and then she did a beta course launch and generated $45,000 in revenue. Not to mention her summit revenue! Tune in to hear the powerful and fast impact a virtual summit can have on your business! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/280

If you think sponsorships have to involve sending cold pitches to a bunch of companies and spending hours on follow-up, think again! In this episode I'm breaking down why I had written off sponsorships for Membership Momentum and how I got one anyway, even without packages or pitching. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/279

It's frustrating to have an offer that you know is amazing that's struggling to take off. That's what today's guest, Heather Levin, was experiencing prior to hosting her first summit. She had an amazing niche, a great membership, but nothing she was doing got it to take off the way she knew it could. The good news is that her first summit completely changed that. Tune in to this episode to hear what made Heather decide to go for it with her first summit, what the experience was like, and how it completely transformed her business. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/278

Customer service is a part of summit hosting that most look at as a "necessary evil". It can be hard to read a piece of feedback, detach yourself from what's being said, and keep emotions even while crafting a response. In this episode, Margaux Fraise is here to share how her extensive experience in retail prepared her to handle summit customer service in a way we can all learn from! For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/277

Love a good behind the scenes? In this episode I'm sharing 8 key takeaways from our Membership Momentum event. And it's not all rainbows and butterflies! You'll hear some good, but also some ugly. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/276

The energy of hosting a virtual summit is great...but what in the world can we do to keep that momentum up between events? In this episode, we'll hear from Kelly Sinclair about using a Visibility Tour to increase connections, become the go-to expert, open the door to new opportunities, and generate leads in just 10 minutes per day. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/275