Hosting Events with Purpose and Impact: How to Build Authority, Community, and Profit

“Events can be purpose-driven and profitable.” - Natisha Livingston

Events are undeniably exciting. We get to dress up, meet new people, and learn from each other—all within a fun, engaging environment. For women in business, events can be transformative, blending connection and purpose with opportunities for growth. However, hosting a successful event isn’t just about the excitement—it takes intention, strategy, and a clear purpose.

If you’re considering hosting an event, you need to ask yourself why. Often, clients tell me, “I want to host an event to build community.” While that’s a great reason, I can usually sense an underlying intention: they want to make money, too. Here’s the truth: there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make both an impact and an income. In fact, events can be purpose-driven and profitable. Below, I share four powerful reasons why it may be time to host an event—and how each can drive real value for you and your audience.

1. Build Your Authority

Hosting an event allows you to step into a leadership role in your field, especially if it’s centered on a topic you’re knowledgeable about. By showcasing your expertise, you position yourself as a go-to authority in your industry. Both potential clients and peers will see you as a trusted expert, reinforcing your reputation and opening new opportunities.

Imagine people who have been on the fence to partner with you and when they see you host your event it solidifies their decision to move forward. It's always a great time to bring in other experts for panels or discussions, but remember if you're looking to be seen as an expert you need to remember to position yourself as the expert no matter how many people you are sharing the stage with.

I have seen events where the host has had so many other experts on the stage, that they are minimized. This isn't about competition. You've spent the money, you've marketed the event, and it's your audience you have built; make sure you operate as the head and not the tail.

2. Build A True Community

Events offer a unique opportunity to connect more deeply with your audience. Face-to-face interactions foster authenticity and allow you to show vulnerability, learn about your audience’s challenges, and celebrate their successes. These connections lead to a sense of belonging, and your audience, feeling closer to you, is more likely to support your offerings.

As an event host, you also position yourself as a connector because you're audience is not just there to connect with you, but with one another. We are living in a time where people genuinely want to build deeper connections and your event could be the place for that to happen.

3. Boost Brand Awareness

An event is a powerful way to build brand recognition. Through marketing efforts and the event itself, your name and brand message will reach new audiences. People who may not have known about you before will become familiar with your brand, while those who do will feel even more connected and engaged.

I always like to shoot for a minimum of 90 days of solid promotion so people know without a doubt about my event. They will be sick of me after the 90 days and I'm okay that.

3. Drive Conversions

Conversion events, also known as experiential marketing events, are designed to transform attendees into clients. These events require a strategic approach, with careful attention to every detail, ensuring that attendees experience the full value of your expertise. And the best part? You’ll accomplish all the previous goals—building authority, community, and brand awareness—all while aiming for conversions. Say it with me: I can be purposeful and profitable.

Let's keep it real. Events can be extremely costly to put together, there's no way that you can keep a straight face and tell me you're only goal is to build community. Conversion events are not just your typical brunch with a panel. The content is intentional, the conversations are intentional and the goal is for you to close sales by the end of your event.

Small Events, Big Impact

If you’re a coach, consultant, or service provider, I encourage you to host an event. It doesn’t have to be a grand affair; intimate gatherings with fewer than eight people can be incredibly powerful. As we move into 2025, consider what kind of meaningful experience you can create in a smaller setting.

Want to know a secret? Holidays are a great reason to have an event and bring people together. Put your pen to paper and see who you can get into the room. If you want a play by play on how to host your own intimate experience get your copy of Host With Heart today.

At ElluminateHER, we’re here to partner with you from ideation to execution, helping you create events that resonate deeply and produce real results. Let's discuss how we can bring your event vision to life. Click here to connect with our team. Together, let's create an unforgettable event experience that leaves a lasting impression on your attendees.