This may be hard to believe, but just because a client invests in your product, program or service doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll actually show up for it.

For instance, a really good friend of mine recently had 400 people registered for his event and only 220 actually came.

That’s a big problem if you planned catering or even coffee, which can run $8/person. Also, if only half of your registrants show up, that is half the audience you may have promised a guest speaker or sponsor.

Then there are the breakthroughs that just won’t happen because people weren’t there to experience your gifts.

So you made the sale — that’s great. You have registrants for your program or event, but your job is not done. You need to get them to stick.

Here are two of the best stick strategies that we employ before our own virtual courses and live events. (If you’ve ever been to one, you’ll probably recognize them!)

1. Start the breakthroughs right away.
When someone registers for your program, they’re excited, but in 30, 60 or 90 days they may forget why they registered in the first place. This can result in refund requests or they just don’t show up. Both very sad options when you think about the transformation they are about to miss out on.

To keep registrants excited about your program, you want to give them an immediate pre-course assignment so that they start receiving value right away.

If people experience transformation before they even start the official class, they’ll be talking about it with their friends, who may also be tempted to enroll.

And when they arrive for session one they will have more of a connection with you and your work, which may increase the likelihood that they’ll want to continue working with you on a deeper level when the program is over.

2. Get people connected.  
Another way to create anticipation and get registrants to show up and stay committed is to connect them online before the course through Facebook or a private online forum.

That way, registrants have already made new friends and connections and can’t wait to meet those people in person or virtually. At a live event, networking becomes more lively, fun and fruitful for everyone.

Also, groups of new friends formed this way are more likely to stay connected after your program and go on to become your biggest fans.

As you can see, it’s not difficult at all to employ those two stick strategies, and you—and your participants—have everything to gain.