So the retreat is over! Wheeew. You are probably still abuzz with all the emotions, and fully immersed again in the “real world”. There are a few feelings that linger longer than the rest:
“I can’t believe it’s over, I wish the retreat would live on…”
“I know there are a few things I still MUST do…”
The little voice in your head that is whispering these truths needs to be acknowledged. For in fact, there are at least five very important projects to complete before this past retreat is truly a wrap!
A Recap Call
You know you have to say thanks to all your amazing attendees, and we will get to that essential correspondence. However, you must also carve out time to recap the experience with your key vendors. These relationships might include the retreat center, your retreat coordinator, key tour operators, etc. Even if you don’t intend to return to the same location, as varying locations is critical to long term success, taking twenty minutes to discuss a thoughtful agenda is still a great idea. So set up a time to talk, and come to the call ready to discuss the important agenda items from the perspective of what works, and what could use improvement. We suggest framing the agenda around:
- Lodging
- Facilities
- Cuisine
- Excursions & Experiences
- Transportation
- Hospitality
Finish Those Finances
Ugh, this is probably not your favorite piece of homework. You might have had to recap with vendors first, in order to collect all the final invoices. Hopefully, you’ve kept some detailed records of your expenses throughout the planning and leading of the retreat. Don’t forget to count everything! If you have questions about what is a viable write-off, contact your accountant. In the end… the sooner you get all the expenses tallied up, the easier it will be. We must admit, one of our customer’s favorite aspects of our service, is that they receive a detailed profit statement and paycheck within 2 weeks of returning home, and aren’t responsible for ANY of this part. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Send a Retreat Wrap-Up to the Participants
Finally, we’re getting into the fun stuff. Without doubt, you are still overflowing with gratitude, and would love to share those feelings. We encourage you to do so, and to get this project finished within the first few weeks of returning home. This is your chance to tie the whole experience together, and to say THANK YOU. But, this is also the time to check off some housekeeping items with your group too. You should consider including:
- A link to a retreat photo sharing utility. Some great options include PhotoCircle (a great app!), Google Photos, and Dropbox. Facebook & iPhotos are nice, but not everyone has social media or an iPhone.
- Ask for a review!
- Send a brief survey. You might consider asking for feedback about the retreat center, various experiences, the food, etc. And if you haven’t yet… poll them on where they want to go next!
- If you are a few steps ahead of the game: ANNOUNCE YOUR NEXT RETREAT! We find it’s nice to offer “repeat retreaters” a small discount as part of a VIP list.
Start Planning Your Next Retreat Offering
We know, you haven’t even fully processed the amazing experience you’ve just completed. However, you know that it’s important to “strike the hammer while, iron is hot!” Thank you Bob Marley. You don’t have to have it all done immediately, but it’s good to have at least a retreat to tease. Perhaps you’ve got the location narrowed down to a couple of places. You’ve got a preferred time of year. And you have a vision for your offering, a vision that is further refined and informed from your recent retreat experiences. That will suffice for now, and will help you to keep the momentum going! Eager to get moving, but not sure about taking on all the dirty work just yet, or perhaps ever again? Check out our services, and the locations we serve, for an incredible short-cut to realizing your next unforgettable retreat!
Schedule a Reunion Party!
Now we’re really talking! A reunion party gives the retreat life months after everyone is back home. The value you provide by offering your community these opportunities to come together, far exceeds the small investment you make into the gathering. Such events also signal a commitment to your retreat business, and invite your community to expand through their personal connections. Plus, they are FUN! As with everything, a little planning upfront, and intentionally using certain tools, will help you get the most out of the experience.
- Select a venue. This could be your home, studio, a public space, or a local gathering place.
- Sometimes a theme is nice. If you just returned from Guatemala, perhaps host a morning class, and invite the attendees to share some Guatemalan coffee and chocolate afterward.
- Invite everyone who came on your retreat and ask them to invite a friend and/or partner to join. Use Eventbrite for registration, both to manage the RSVP’s and to collect everyone’s email addresses. Allow 2+ weeks for RSVP’s so people can plan around their busy schedules.
- Serve refreshments, or make it a potluck where everyone brings a dish. If you host at a restaurant, many places will give you a deal on apps, and then you can have a cash bar.
- Most importantly, use your time together as an opportunity to reconnect and reminisce about your trip, but also to promote your next retreat!
- Finally, follow-up with everyone via email. Thank them for attending your party, and provide details about your future retreats & events.
Congratulations!
Congrats, once again, on completing an amazing retreat! You’ve truly provided your community an unforgettable experience, and one of profound value. We hope the experience has left you feeling eager to lead more, and to make international retreats a meaningful part of your business, and your community’s experience.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to info@solseedretreats.com for any additional ideas on growing your retreat business. And, certainly reference our Business of Retreats and Retreat Planning Tips libraries for ever evolving expert advice.