Hosting your own event, no matter the size is no mean feat for even the most extroverted person out there - but when you know you’re introverted in nature - why should you consider becoming an event host?

In this article I share my reasons for becoming an event host, multiple times in multiple ways over the years and the benefits that have come out the other side.

Right up front, I have to say logistics and event planning is not my favourite thing to do!

I do it because the benefits outweigh the costs. Some of the events that I have hosted:

• Weekly Coffee and Chat mornings (despite not being a coffee or tea drinker!)
• Monthly Curry Pot Luck evenings (to build new friendships in new locations)
• Monthly Masterminding (gathering local business community)
• Introvert Powerhouse Online Summit and Associated Community (one-off event)
• SuperFast Authority - the interactive online Think-Tank Summit (now annual)
• Twice yearly Sparks Lunch (in person and clients only)

The Introverted Event Host

The Benefits of Hosting

As an introvert, I find it can be easier to be the host than the attendee. 

Why?

Because as the host you have jobs to do, people all know you, and as such they come to me to say hello!

Elements I enjoy about creating and hosting my own events are:

1. I am in control of the agenda, the location and the guests

2. I can plan to make the surroundings work for my high sensitivities to sound and light if in person, which in turn welcomes others who are similar to I

3. I get to have really interesting conversations with amazing people, this not only sparks my own brain, but has helped me no end refine how I talk about what I do for others. Practice really does make perfect!

Gathering people into conversational environments, builds rapport, trust and connection which in turn brings conversions.  

Every marketer will tell you that most people need at least eleven, if not twenty touch-points with you before they are in the place to purchase.

How long, in physical time, you are in that person’s world will speed up this effect exponentially. 

For example, if you run a full a day event, with lots of value, takeaways and fun thrown in, those attending are far more likely to go deeper with you than if they see just the odd social post from you. 

Video is the marketers dream tool, as your audience is with you for longer, can feel your energy and sense for themselves how much they gel with the way you work. 

The Disadvantages of Hosting

Being introverted means that my social energy can run low FAST unless it’s managed well. 

I am sociable and curious, so I love to talk to people. And if you get me on topics I’m passionate about, we can talk for hours and I will be energised by the conversation. 

The secret is setting up an event to encourage deeper, one to one conversations, or small group conversations that have a focus rather than rambling off in multiple ways.

Start Small and Grow

An event can start simple - as my Monthly Masterminding group in person did - just 6 of us around a table; wanting to connect, be real and share what was going on. 

It started from a conversation and a mutual desire to meet regularly. Then we extended the invite out to others, branded the group, set up an Instagram page… and very rapidly that six became 24, as those that joined, loved the set-up, the energy, the opportunity to do things differently. 

In fact many who came, were like me; introverted, neurodiverse - as they benefited from the structure and small group conversations that were facilitated rather than entering an open “networking” room - that to be honest still scares the hell out of me to this day!

If it’s a larger in-person event, having a wing woman (or two) at my side to help with greeting, logistics etc is essential. This allows me to confidently step away for a break when needed to recharge. 

I will also ensure there is a defined end time, set my phone alarm and walk away to not go into burnout, as the introvert hangover is real.

Creating and Hosting Online Event for 1000 attendees

The first online summit I ran in 2019 had approximately 250 attendees from 38 different countries. I integrated in a few live Zoom sessions even then as I saw the importance of bringing people together.

But it took me five years to revisit this model for my business, as I saw the market getting saturated and feeling very “same old”.

Come June 2024, I decided that the old online model needed revamping. In person conferences were booming as people stepped out post the pandemic years. 

Travelling to events is not only costly in time and money, but also energy. And as they grow in popularity, so do the crowds, that make things more overwhelming. 

I was thinking there was space for a stellar online event. 

A week-long event that involved top industry experts and brilliant business owners together to discuss the concepts at hand. But to capture the magic of the post-talk conversations that happen at in person conferences.  

Enter the creation of a new way of interacting online with brilliant business brains: Superfast Authority: the online think-tank summit - held in November 2024.

I took this on, knowing there was a lot involved. The planning in earnest started in August - 3 months out. In fact, I distinctly remember the morning I downloaded from my brain all the moving parts into actions, to gather and delegate to the team I was building. All 210 of them!

For version two, I'm refining and redefining elements, and the planning is starting now, in January, to space things out in a more genteel manner!

This time I’m not starting at zero and hope to double registrants to 1000 from last years 480. Our focus will remain on bringing expert business founders together; the coaches, consultants, trainers, creatives and more to connect and grow together. 

The Authority Think-Tank 2025 is scheduled to run live between the 10th and 14th November 2025.

Apply to lead an Authority Think-Tank Conversation

If you’d like to put your name down as a possible conversation kickstarter, complete this application before the 31st March 2025.

If selected, you will be asked to record a high-definition 15 minute video (think TEDx style) that shares your big idea that supports expert business owners to raise, or maintain their authority and expand their impact. This is a no pitch event, as your energy and value will speak for itself.

Your Vibe Brings Your Tribe

When you host you are bringing your energy, your values, your ideas to the idea and placing them in full view of all. 

It’s an easy way for people to join in and see what you’re all about, and even get a feel of who you surround yourself with and your community vibe. 

Your “vibe” may feel like a hard thing to pin down, but it’s an essential factor that client’s will, consciously or not, take in when considering working with you. 

Pretty much every call I get on with new people, they say at some point “I just love your energy, ideas and way of looking at things”. 

This is a huge positive about running your events, as you’ve designed them (hopefully) to match with your vibe. 

And it’s probably the biggest reason why I host events, even as an introvert.

The Benefits to Hosting an Event

Additional benefits were:

• My audience has expanded

• My messaging has been refined

• My newsletter list is bigger and more engaged

• Relationships with speakers and attendees deepened

• New opportunities to speak have opened up - both online and on stage

• And yes, sales into my programmes have accelerated

Ultimately, hosting an event shows you have confidence in who you are, what you stand for and how you like to work. 

Over to you - would you consider running your own event?