Sarah Fejfar 0:00
But, like, who taught you to love the process?
Benny Gold 0:03
Gary V. No, but we'll talk about that. But the thing is, is like, those aren't only words, because I put that I apply it to my own life. And it's like, wow, that makes so much sense. That's why I'm able to stick with it and just be consistent. And by the way, like consistency doesn't mean seeing the same results every day, the same good results, like consistency can be like, okay, like, I just posted something and bombed. You know, I'll try again tomorrow. And just keep doing after just keep at it. The biggest thing that you don't see with people who are entrepreneurs who want to be entrepreneurs who want it right now, like five seconds from when they start is consistency. And then you have people who have good ideas, and they don't execute, but you have to obviously execute your idea. But you also patient have consistency. So in order to have patience and consistency, you have to love what you do. You have to love the journey. Appreciate it. And I think that that's what goes a long way in being successful.
Sarah Fejfar 0:59
How are entrepreneurs like us daring bravely to build a stage? Ditch the sweat pants, and step up to the mic? How do we create our own transformative events? So we can get our message out into the world in a bigger way. It's not only profitable, but it's actually something we can be proud of. That's the question and the answers are inside this podcast. My name is Sarah Fejfar. Welcome to greenroom Central. Today I run into greenroom central studios Benny gold attorney, founder of lawyer stories and host of the lawyer stories podcast, where he passionately shares the inspiring journeys of legal professionals celebrating their motivations and challenges on the path to practicing law. Benny, welcome to Greenroom Central studios. Say hello to Linchpin Nation.
Benny Gold 1:53
Linchpin Nation, how you doing?
Sarah Fejfar 1:55
Benny, I've been looking forward to this your podcast is definitely climbing the charts. And it's super impressive to me as a fellow podcaster to just see someone else succeed and so quickly out of the gate, and I'm just, I'm humbled like I watch you and I'm like, Oh my gosh, she's so good. This is amazing. I love it. I love that you're setting such a great example. And I think I think what it is that you're such a great interviewer you have this natural curiosity that's just next level. And from the outside looking in. I definitely think that's a superpower of yours. And I appreciate watching it. This
Benny Gold 2:32
is like the nicest thing anybody's said to me in like years. Thank you very much.
Sarah Fejfar 2:39
So I think it's gonna be fun for me to turn the tables and interview you. How's it? How does it feel sitting in the guest seat for a change?
Benny Gold 2:46
Yeah, it's not bad. You know, the pressures off? I
Sarah Fejfar 2:48
don't have any right. Yeah, I
Benny Gold 2:50
do like a couple.
Sarah Fejfar 2:53
Okay, I thought we'd start off by having a little fun and asking you to tell me a story. So I think it takes a lot to put yourself out there and build your own stage so to speak, and you've started hosting your own events in your business. What fills you with the most gratitude when you get done putting on an event and you look back at what what you just did? Yeah,
Benny Gold 3:14
so we we are recently I don't know if I want to call it the event space. But yes, we have had some events we've done like Miami a couple of times, Manhattan we were there this summer in Boston in November, which is cool. And so you know, just like people coming out, you know, to the to the event making the effort. You know, I think one thing that was is definitely like really really cool about it you know, I appreciate everybody who comes out but you know, I had an especially in New York City there were like five or six people who were on my podcast who did episodes with me that I'd never met but it's just like I formed these relationships people like during the clock during the episode because you know, I studied I study what they do a little bit before I don't want to just ask questions so and we we have these chats and then we you know, we talked before that so we talk a little after the episode yeah, sometimes we just become like friendly you know, and I that kind of fills me up and like they come walking through the door like you know, at the New York event like we'll give each other hugs like we've known each other for 10 years yeah and for me like leaving with like the friends like I literally have like a guys night in New York like I had one fraternity brother there who's like was a partner in a huge in Hatton firm now and then like three other four other guys who I had met through lawyer stories came to the event, and we're like, hey, let's just go out the hotel and so like I had so much I needed it so bad so like I had so much gratitude for like these people who came out and like it's okay to like make friends when you're like a little bit that's a whole other issue, right? Like making friends when you're a little bit like older or whatnot, but that it's just been it's been great. Like that was something I was just kind of filled with with gratitude about in pride.
Sarah Fejfar 5:02
It is a whole other level making friends when you're not in school, right. And I think that as an adult making new friends, but I think doing things like this, where we're getting into our passions by hosting podcasts, we're naturally drawing in the people who we would be friends with, right? And so it, it's kind of making it a little easier. And then by throwing the events, you're actually kind of taking it offline and making it you know, in real life. And I love that. That is really beautiful.
Benny Gold 5:40
So yeah, the events have been, have been incredible. And I'll let you go and
Sarah Fejfar 5:47
tell tell me more like, tell me more about what, like maybe what kind of what was the domino that made you think, Okay, I'm gonna go through the effort and put this together to get my community together? Because yeah, so not easy.
Benny Gold 6:02
Yeah, like, I was actually doing like zoom events, if you go through, like the feed the lawyer stories feed, you'll see, like, being somebody else putting on like, a zoo. Hey, come to a happy hour with us, like on a Friday night. And this was even, I think it was like, four COVID You know, and then like, we did it over COVID A couple times. And it was like, you know, like, random people, like show up in the, in the waiting room. They'd be from like other countries, and you'd have like, you know, 10 or 15 people going around, just like introducing each other. Yeah. And like, you know, having a drink or whatever. And then, you know, I think my wife was care was like very encouraging about you have to meet these people. Like you have to meet some of these people. Like you got to go out and do this. And so it really started in like, 2020, I believe, or 2000 I think it was 2020 in Miami like it was a little fireside chat. Like some shout out to Chris and scorpion. She asked me a few questions like, like what lawyer stories was, and there were you know, we had a decent amount of people there like, I don't know, it was a good starters group. And I just from then it was like, you know, like, I think I've I've made enough like contacts in like Miami, in like New York City in Boston, where I want to try to like do something like have a little bit of like, a happy hour. Let's start it there. And let's see what happens. And honestly, like the day of the week leading up to it, I just, I get so fired up for tapping event. Like I'm so excited. Like, I was in like Miami, I drove down to Miami by myself, like I was just really, I just get really excited to meet people and be able to watch people connect with each other and say, oh, you know, I saw you on a podcast, or I saw your feature on lawyer stories. So that that really is something that I've like, tapped into that I genuinely enjoy. I'm
Sarah Fejfar 7:50
sensing you're a connector?
Benny Gold 7:51
Yes, yeah, yeah. Um, so it's kind of interesting. I lived in New Haven, Connecticut for about for a few years, I practice law there. And we had a pool, you know, beautiful building, there was a pool on the sixth floor, one of my good friends would come visit sometimes from Manhattan, you take training, and he was joking around with me. But I'd be like introducing the people from the building. Because everybody would go to the bill. It was like a lot of young kids and whatnot. They'd be like, we'd all be like having drinks and stuff on the weekend at the pool. So my friend would say, he would be like, he would he not be laughing. But he's a childhood friend, like one of my best friends. So he's like, playfully, like, calling me like a social broker. Because I'd be like, introducing the buddy. And then I would make fun of him and be like, yeah, man, you're leaving. And you're gonna have everybody here on Facebook, you know, you'll have like, 10 save stuff. But so it was I didn't take offense. I thought that was like an interesting concept, like social broker. Like that's, that's funny, like, no funny, you know? And then like, looking back, like 10 or 10 years later, I'm like, Whoa, like, actually, that like makes sense a little bit, you know? Because, like, people come to me sometimes, or hey, do you know a lawyer here? Do you know a lawyer there? I need somebody to do this. And he's, like, do that. I'm like, yeah, actually, I do know somebody. Now. I have somebody for my back pocket that I'm connected with. And I would trust to do this work. So yeah, it was sort of one of those things where I was doing it back then, like, I wanted my friends to meet everybody. And I want to start this like softball team, and I knew everybody was coming together. And I think that that actually is something that I I played into it, it was a strength. So I went with one of my strengths. And I think that that really has helped me out.
Sarah Fejfar 9:33
Yeah. Because I, how did you connect the dots of like, that's, like that you value connecting people and to do it in this format of Yes. So
Benny Gold 9:50
yeah, well, so, you know, beyond the podcasting, like lawyer stories started as a passion project on Instagram in 2017. I think I turned to my wife that we were dating at the time. Or he was like my fiancee or something. I was like, Look, I'm gonna start this thing on Instagram. Like, I don't know what's gonna happen. I started like five people that I knew. And just started going and going and going, I didn't know what it was at first. And it was like, okay, like, but I was really consistent. And passionate, it was a passionate project. And then I realized, like, after a couple of years, like what it was, and people just like an attorney, to attorney, sort of, like network. And so And more than that, I mean, we're doing more for people, obviously, than just like introducing them. But that's sort of how I realized that that was something that I enjoyed doing. Yeah, connecting people who need somebody else.
Sarah Fejfar 10:47
You know, I did this really cool journaling exercise from a book, I just finished reading by ever, Evan Carmichael, it's called built to serve. And it's an exercise that helps you uncover the word that really drives you and kind of makes you kind of all about who you are, and why you serve in the world. And the word that came out for me was care. And I just feel this deep sense of satisfaction when I care for others. And I, and, and that, I think that my expression of that in one way is gathering people, and now also teaching people how to gather people, like I just feel, like so fulfilled, and that and, and so you're you're saying to me that you're you're sensing that this, that lawyer stories is kind of fulfilling your sense of purpose to to connect people and, and essentially making your business that the business of lawyer stories and extension of you? And does that feel true to you putting it that way?
Benny Gold 11:58
Yeah, I describe lawyer story is like a very personal thing. I mean, it was started because, you know, I had my own journey into becoming an attorney, and which wasn't linear. Yeah, you know, and I wanted to hear other people's stories. And I think, I think like the connection part of it, it's kind of, there's a lot of like, different layers to it, right? Like, some of it is me stay, I don't, for my living right now. I used to practice law, I run an I'm an executive director of a quasi governmental agency, fuel. And so my connection with the law is really with lawyer stories and seeing what's going on the trends, the legal tech, good talking to lawyers knowing under his lawyers, whatever. And then, you know, there's another layer that's like, okay, like, I really, like, introduce people to each other, like, and doing that whole thing. So, you know, there, there's, there's like a lot to it. I mean, another layer would be I love to make people feel good about themselves. I mean, you talk about care, that's your that's your word. You know, for me, it's, it's, it's, you know, there's so many things out there so many shows, so many platforms that are, that are adversarial, and they want to challenge everything that people say, and even a lawyer, you know, being me like, I, it's kind of opposite. Like, I'm more of like a mediator like I don't want to. I'm not trying to like bite people on my show. You know, I want to make it. I like to say that it's casual and comfortable. And conversation. Yeah, I want to highlight the good things that people are doing. Yeah. And, you know, show how they're doing these distinct and important thing in our legal community. And that really what is what fulfills me not like battling somebody on like a, like a talk show. It's just not, not who I am.
Sarah Fejfar 13:45
Yeah, you want to be more on the side of like the good news movement, then reporting everything. Yeah. I think that's so interesting that you share the, I don't know if I've told you this. But my, my legal background is interesting in that I'm the daughter of a federal prosecutor. So my whole life I experienced the legal space is like you wear a suit and tie, and you go to work and you go to a courtroom every single day, like, that's just, you know, in a very big brick building, like that's just what it is. And then, you know, and I even interned at his office in high school, I believe, and then, fast forward to my corporate career and I spent 14 years inside of a legal marketing agency in a building with 7000 other people part of like a, you know, many 1000s of global company and I and I, in because we're only serving the legal space. I'm bumping into people all day every day who are lawyers, lawyers, like they went to school law school, then they graduated, and they don't wear a suit. would tie and go to a courtroom, like they're writing marketing copy, or they're, you know, answering phone calls, or you know, from a on a help desk or developing products and it was so mind blowing to me. And you know, to your point of like a nonlinear legal journey.
Benny Gold 15:16
It was you're saying you had you had lawyers in there who were doing like marketing?
Sarah Fejfar 15:21
Exactly, yeah, or product development or research and it just so it? Yeah, I think I'm perhaps led a very sheltered life growing up of like, my view of what Yeah, was done when you have a law degree. I thought I would be a lawyer one day on my dad's footsteps, but turns out I didn't want to do more school when I got done with news.
Benny Gold 15:46
Yeah, it's up to off the way thinking about the profession like that. Because, you know, if you think about a doctor, like they go to medical school, and usually it's just always practicing medicine, unless you're doing research or something like that, a dentist is always going to be like that, you know, go to dental school and be the dentist. I mean, yeah, lawyers. You know, one thing about another layer of lawyer stories is that a lot of the attorneys that I speak to, and just in general have these these amazing stories like whether they're like an immigrant from like another country who ended up being an immigration lawyer and sometimes only become an immigration lawyer, student, but criminal defense attorney or, you know, somebody who was, in fact, a criminal, just like turn their life around and became a criminal defense attorney, you know, some you dropped out of high school, and it has a big personal injury for I mean, there are a lot of interesting journeys. And I think with other professions, people could have an interesting journey, but I don't know like the, the purpose might end up being like, or the end result might be a little bit different. And they're definitely going to go into I think most like the other profession. There's a lot of people who just get the JD and some don't even sit for the bar and some district do and different things.
Sarah Fejfar 17:03
As you know, yeah. That was eye opening. I want to shift gears for a second and talk about this book I just read called the gap and the gain and, and I was kind of about how entrepreneurs have this tendency to kind of look at the ideal and measure themselves against that against the goal instead of like, looking backwards at how far they've come. And yeah, so we started this family dinner table tradition, recently where we share three wins from that day and, and three wins, we're forecasting for the next day. And I think it really helps kind of to get grounded in like how far we've come in in that light. I'm wondering if you would share a recent win whether it's business or personal or lawyer stories that you're particularly proud of.
Benny Gold 17:59
A recent wind proud of Well hello,
Sarah Fejfar 18:05
I'm so open Yeah, I like
Benny Gold 18:08
you are so yeah, I'm sorry. I'm a little burnt from the no but we
Sarah Fejfar 18:12
are doing this at six o'clock at night. Yeah. No. Seems to be on so late.
Benny Gold 18:17
Thank you know, thinking about the Miami event. I think that for me like business wise like that was a success. Being able to go full circle and and continue the year and be consistent.
Sarah Fejfar 18:32
You know, we would have done it last year to right last
Benny Gold 18:35
year like earlier in the month and then we moved on to a bigger place we had sponsors which were incredible. So it's grown and I think like seeing that like seeing why like vision come to life in a way like that was like a big was a big win for me and like everybody like having a good time. That was definitely like a big a big win. So that I'd have to do you say that?
Sarah Fejfar 19:00
Do you have uh have you had members of your lawyer stories community come to you after the events and share like anything that came of it from them like whether it was connections or gratitude or just had a good time? What kind of feedback have you been getting? Yeah,
Benny Gold 19:21
I mean, I think people obviously they they meet each other we one of the prompts that we have is to share your story with somebody that you don't know make sure your story you get out there and like talk yeah, and meet somebody new like in the spirit of like lawyer stories, like I don't want it to be any old like networkers type of thing. But yeah, I mean I think people tell I mean, I've heard like a couple the word influencer okay, like a couple of bigger influencers who are there telling me like they can't wait for the next one like no one is and like this was the one of the best events that they've been to. So I get feedback like that I'm still you know, I'm still developing it, it's only been like a year that we've been doing. Um, so I am a believer that things evolve, you know, it doesn't have perfect right from the beginning, like, so good things are gonna, things are gonna evolve, right? So just like still my podcast like, I want to have a dangling like, like microphone like you do you know I'm saying? So like things evolve like and that's okay. But I do you know, I do get some some decent feedback from people, you know, they had great time and you know, they're taking pictures and that sort of thing. Oh, that that answered your question.
Sarah Fejfar 20:34
That's good. Yeah. And I, it is it it's, I find that to be common amongst entrepreneurs, who built communities like you have that there's almost this groundswell where they're being asked to put on the event that there are people are wanting to get together with each other, and with you, the kind of the leader or the host. Yeah, yeah. So if I
Benny Gold 21:02
tell, I tell people, Look, I'll make myself available for photos, you know, it's all good, I'll be able there, I'll be able to take a photo with you, that's a job.
Sarah Fejfar 21:12
I do like that you have like a pre planned way for people to talk to one another? Because I find that when people enter a room, they're asking themselves the question, how do I fit in? And you answered that for them by giving them a prompt of like, okay, this is what you do is you're gonna go up to somebody you don't know and share your lawyer story with them. And, and then by doing that, with everybody, they know, like, oh, people are just expecting that conversation starter. So I'm, it's not gonna be awkward for me to, to go and do that. And I, and I'm always touched by hosts that have been thoughtful like that, because being an introvert myself, and going to an event, as someone who's not organizing the event, is kind of like, something on the list of the top things I would not want to do.
Benny Gold 22:10
Yeah, yeah. Well, it also helps that, usually there's an open bar. So that that also helps, does help.
Sarah Fejfar 22:19
Does so do you? I love your philosophy that you shared around evolving, and because a lot of people don't give themselves that grace, and think that, you know, it all has to happen. And it has to happen at this one. And I'm like, exactly right, you know, let's put on let's put it in the parking lot, like put in the good ideas parking lot and know that it might not be this event, but there is going to be at a next event where you'll be able to implement that. And where do you think that comes from your ability to just be like it's okay to, to do it messy or not as, like big or as I don't know, as you might want it to be? Well,
Benny Gold 22:59
that's a great question, Sara. And I'll tell you the answer. It's it's loving the journey. If you love the journey that you're on, like I when I did this as a passion project. And like I had this nice little like, like squares of all these lawyers and their stories. I was like, This is so fun. And I was getting all these emails. And just like posting one after another every day, every couple of days. Yeah. And I was loving the journey. And it grew, you know, it went to like, I went to a video, I tried putting a video on it. The first time I shared my story after posts, you know, when an evolve, and when you love the journey. Like if things are going to evolve, you're willing to take time with it. So for me, it's I mean, I started this this as a passion project, like I said, on Instagram 2017. I mean, so it's not like I was starting like a retail store or like a candy store or like a pizza shop, which is like, you know, all you want things to happen right away. I was starting like this different sort of thing that I wasn't really sure where it was, you know, and it developed into a community and I love community. And we're still rolling along and we're going flow and the you know, the, the, the events have been good, but I know that they can still grow and there's areas for growth, but that's okay. I'm willing to give it the time. Because I love the process.
Sarah Fejfar 24:21
But, like Who taught you to love the process? That's not Gary
Benny Gold 24:25
Vee. No, but you talk about he used to talk about that, but the thing is with it, but the thing is, is like those aren't only words because I put that I apply it to my own life. Like and it's like wow, like that makes so much sense. Like that's why I'm able to just like stick it like stick with it and just be consistent. And by the way, like consistency doesn't mean seeing the same results every day the same good results. Like consistency can be like okay, like I just posted something and bombed. Like I'll you know, I'll try again tomorrow and just keep doing after just keep Keep at it, the biggest thing that you don't see with people who are entrepreneurs who want to be entrepreneurs who want it right now, like, like five seconds from when they start, is, is consistency. And then you have people who have good ideas and they don't execute. So you have to obviously execute your idea. But you also patient have consistency. So in order to have patience and consistency, you have to love what you do. You have to love the journey. Appreciate it. And I think that that's what goes a long way in being successful.
Sarah Fejfar 25:30
Was this model to you growing up this entrepreneurial, like love the journey kind of spirit? Not really know, because I didn't I certainly didn't, I'm not from a family of entrepreneurs. i My
Benny Gold 25:45
sister is very, like entrepreneurial. She, you know, she was a writer, she was a painter. And so she she lived in Portland, Oregon for a while, and she, you know, she did her her thing. But I think I you know, I've been the one ultimately to just like, to just keep going with it. Like I said, it's very personal, it like kind of meant a lot to me, like, you know, I make sure thank everybody for anything they ever contribute to lawyers story. I get it's not a copycat platform, one thing I really pride myself on, is getting the email. So the stories like people submitting their stuff me not taking something that I didn't ask for, or wasn't submitted, like, I literally, like, get emails from everybody. And so that's just me. I don't know, like I just a knew that there's sort of like more for me to be doing my contribution to the legal field. And
Sarah Fejfar 26:39
yeah, so I'm sensing self taught and is it for you? Is it like books? Or podcasts or social? Like, where? Where do you get that encouragement to keep going?
Benny Gold 26:55
Um, I don't know. I think right now, it's my family, to be honest, like, I just kind of like, I mean, I started like, like, several years ago, but I think I want to set a good example and work as hard as I can. Honestly, for people, like everybody, like for my family, and I, you know, I enjoy it. Like, when you know, when you enjoy something, why not do it? Like, you know, somebody says, If you love your job, like, it won't feel like it working the day in your life, that sort of thing. I mean, it's Yeah, cliches are real, though, right? Like they meant they're real. So it's sort of, you know, I do this, this is my full time job. You know, and I've been at it for awhile, but it was never, it started as a passion project. But I work, like morning and in morning to do a post during my lunch. I'll hair for a podcast. And at night. I'll record Yeah, my kids are sleeping after 839 o'clock at night. Yeah. Oh, that literally. And it's great. It's fulfilling to meet everybody that, um, yeah, I'm meeting I
Sarah Fejfar 27:57
know, my daughter sees me record and we talk like, Oh, I'm gonna do an interview now. And you know, it's a part of it. And she's encouraging and what are your kids say? Are they I don't know how old they are. Are they old enough to, to know what you're doing? And
Benny Gold 28:13
so my, yeah, my son is five, my daughter's two. But my five year old is old. Daddy have a podcast tonight. You know, I come down to my like, uniform. I'm like, I'm going to work, guys, you know, because I have the little mini studio downstairs. And like, he knows he's like, Oh, you got a podcast and like, just, well, how long is your podcasts gonna be? So he gets it? I mean, it's, you know, it's, he's with it. He knows what we're doing down here. He's repping. The brand you know, is a hat and t shirt, but I'll fit him anymore.
Sarah Fejfar 28:43
Oh, I love that.
Benny Gold 28:44
Yeah, you know, he knows what's up. He knows what's up. I don't know if he knows what we're what we're chatting about all the time.
Sarah Fejfar 28:50
Yeah, that's what he will young. Oh, that's sorry. That's so neat. I'm
Benny Gold 28:56
actually thinking about giving them one of my torque books to try to or one of my law books to try to read but maybe
Sarah Fejfar 29:05
yeah, my daughter loves like time when we read together but I don't think I would be able to float a lot book pastor should be like now. Let's do something more interesting. All right, let's have a little fun and talk about the future. Maybe a little brainstorming. So you've done a lot of the smaller networking style events and you've got momentum there and definitely impacting lives in that sense. And I feel like I saw somewhere that you're launching a membership maybe what what's next what? What's on the horizon for lawyers stories, their lawyer stores conference.
Benny Gold 29:49
What what's a glorious sort of conference she put together developed by Sarah Do you have that right to write paper? Yeah,
Sarah Fejfar 30:01
it's like paper. But with apps, it's so darn tricky. It's check.
Benny Gold 30:06
So, I Yes, we are launching lawyer stories connect, which will be more on the mighty now. What's on mighty networks? I don't know if you're familiar with I heard about it now. Yeah. Okay, so we have the platform ready to go, we have lawyers in there, we're going to start with like 10 or 12 people, it's going to be a QA it's going to be, we're going to try to want to network people and try to bring them value, like, where I also have, like a director of education, who's going to end people who want to teach, so we're going to do like, 30 to 40 minute like, lessons on like, anything from like, like, entrepreneurial stuff to like, you know, like, law stuff, whatever, how to build your business, and then sort of put that right and mighty network, we're gonna do things, it's free to register. But obviously, there's going to be a cost if you want, like the benefits, so it's like a freemium. But if we're gonna do, you're gonna get your, your digital badge, which everybody likes a plaque, we already have the plaque design, you're gonna get blah, you know, put your blog posts on our website, submit them to us, welcome posts, go on social media, we're gonna do like your podcasts for the whole package for a good discount we're going to do we're going to do virtual roundtables, so people can talk about their firms and whatnot. And then I think these hopefully, some of these events, we're having be a part of it as well. So that's that'll, if people are in the area, and they want to go to those events, but just there's more to it. I don't have the list in front of me, but we're going to try to add value to people's life not going to be a crazy killer for expense. But trying to put it all together. It's been in the works for like a year because it takes you know, I limited on time. Very limited on time, but I'm very passionate about it. I you know, I've added a logo I have, you know, everything that I need to get going and I'm gonna start it with like an inaugural class will probably attended for all people. You know, we're going to vendor we have we have some great partners that we've been working with. That's another thing, partner this. And yeah, hopefully, like people will join the community.
Sarah Fejfar 32:16
That's exciting. Yeah, thank you. I mean, it just like it is who you are to connect people. And now you're taking, like, allowing listeners to have a place to congregate. Also fun. Yeah. Thank you. So this is the part of the podcast where give you any event strategy or event logistics advice? If Are there any challenges that you'd want to brainstorm or talk through or get advice on? Any question that's been on your mind?
Benny Gold 32:46
Yeah, actually, I do have a question for you. When you have when you have a networking event saves three hours, but in you have you have you have sponsors, financial sponsors, and that goes towards like the venue, the bars,
Sarah Fejfar 33:02
and it's such a good idea.
Benny Gold 33:03
So when you have that, do you what's your opinion on charging your guests? Because I've found a few different things. I don't know if this is some talk about off the podcast with you. But yeah, I just I want to I would like to get your, your opinion on, you know, do you do like sort of like a, you know, $20 thing, just so it's, it's, it's still something or, you know, because you want to gauge how many people have right, or else? Or else? Tons of people that take tickets and and
Sarah Fejfar 33:35
yeah, so I think that's, that is important. So people, they say, people pay, they pay attention, right? And of course, so when you have people pay, then you're able to change your show up rate. Right? Because it's going to be naturally lower, if it's free, and it's going to be a little bit higher if it's paid. And so you're not talking about anything like that is I would call a price point that would put too much friction between them and the decision to come. I mean, it's like the cost of a drink. Right? And
Benny Gold 34:20
well, I mean, if if, you know if you're doing like a three hour networker and you've gotten you've gotten financial support from sponsors to cover your costs, it's essentially it's it's still is it still acceptable to charge like $20 A ticket? Oh,
Sarah Fejfar 34:33
for sure. For sure it is and I think then that helps you because then you'd be able to give sponsors a better estimate of a headcount. It helps you set up the venue a little bit better knowing like okay, we've got we got this many that are planning to come and and they've paid which means, like I said, though, pay attention. So just give you a little bit of like math hear the show up rate for in person, if it's free, can be in that 50 to 75 or 50 to 70% range. And if it's paid, it's 70. To 90. Is it really? Yeah. Now it might be that
Benny Gold 35:15
so so it is acceptable, even if a sponsor gives you money to cover like the bar and the venue to pocket like, No, I mean, not pocket, but it's actually more of a way to get people to guarantee that or raise the likeliness gonna show up. Yeah,
Sarah Fejfar 35:31
it's also acceptable. Okay, money. Just Just so you know. Yeah. Yeah. And you've also you kind of earned it by putting in? I know, it's it is, it does take a little bit of time to put out a weekly show, isn't it? And so, yeah, it's okay to earn money from doing that and do it in this type of a way. And I don't think it's unreasonable to even put 20 in it's not like, I mean, you could you could even do more. But yeah, I don't think I actually don't think it's your like, you're conflating two things that aren't relevant to each other, like, can I charge and do and I have sponsors, it's not like that. So you can have as never,
Benny Gold 36:21
I'm fighting these things as I go. And this is back to the evolution thing. Like, I was never in the marketing space. Sure. Okay. You know, I was never in the event space, and then these things come up. And I'm like, Okay, well, what's like, you know, I consider myself to be somebody who have like, high integrity, like, I don't want to buddy over and I want people to get a lot of value for whatever they put in. So, you know, I find myself sort of like, okay, is this acceptable? And they're like, little questions to know, like, I'm not an event person. I'm not a love. I've gone with that. I'm not like a marketer. Yeah, but this is actually very helpful. So
Sarah Fejfar 36:57
you're welcome. Yeah, I think so. There's this whole space where people, you know, monetize their thought, leadership and monetize what they know, they monetize kind of their influence, in a way, which is what you're doing. And I think, yeah, there's there's entire rule books, if you weren't playbooks on on how this works, and you're not breaking any rules, because there aren't any. If you're doing both charging, I
Benny Gold 37:29
wasn't sure if a sponsor would be like, Oh, you charging for one of those many I was
Sarah Fejfar 37:34
here I was on. I mean, get this I was on with a client who was a podcaster earlier today, and we're planning out a podcast tour. And we're not only charging to go to the event, we're also charging sponsors to have a presence at the event, we're going to charge for swag that they can buy at the event, we're going to make an offer from stage of, you know, in your case, it would be like your membership or a higher level coaching program, we're going to monetize in lots of ways we're going to, you know, sell tickets to that it just so there's lots of there's you can monetize before, during and after the event. And you're you're not restricted to one way and because you're if you come out a little bit of head of your costs. I actually say Good on you, right, because we're not in the business to lose money. And so no sponsors, what sponsors want is FaceTime with your community, right in a way that feels really, you know, organic and natural and not salesy, and you're creating that environment. And, you know, you said something about like, well, I don't want to be a person who you know, doesn't deliver any value. Well, you're not that person. So that's not You're not at risk of that happening.
Benny Gold 39:02
I just want people to get as much as absolutely as
Sarah Fejfar 39:05
much as so keep,
Benny Gold 39:06
I tell him, I tell people like I can't, I can put you in front of the right people, you have to be the salesperson, you know what I mean? Like, that's what
Sarah Fejfar 39:13
I mean, the value for your community and being there that's on you. And you get to develop what that looks like for them. And for future ones that might even be helpful for you to talk to a few of the people who have been and be like, Well, what what would you love, because I can probably make it happen for you. And you just got to tell me what it is. And yeah, and then you're able to, if that's on your heart, that that's a desire, I want to just create as much value as possible for my community, because they're showing up for me and the lawyer stories brand, then figure out what they want and then go figure out how to make that happen for them. Yeah, and yeah, that's awesome. So hopefully that helped. Was that helpful for you to hear? Oh, okay. Totally awesome. Anyway, As we wrap up here, I got another question for you to wrap on. So I really value lifelong learning. And I subscribe to the school of thought that, that we we have to design our own curriculum with intention. And so I'd love to know, three parts. What are you reading right now? And why did you pick that book? And then what's one thing you learned so far? It would be okay. If you said, Sarah, I'm not reading anything right now.
Benny Gold 40:36
So here's a Sports Illustrated I'm gonna give a shout out to actually I just just recently finished a book. I really don't I mean, it's okay. That's a good question. Okay. So the book who's in the waiting room by Neil Goldstein, giving them a shout out he was on my podcast. It's a great book. He he very inspirational attorney dropped out of high school because of like, issue. His mom was sick. His dad left and he made it through like, he just made it through to new college to college to law school, like just himself. Like really? Yeah, like, unbelievable story. I actually had like, dinner with him like a few months ago. Great guy, he came up here. So that was that's a book I definitely like recommend
Sarah Fejfar 41:32
everybody is it? Is it like his kind of? Yeah,
Benny Gold 41:36
it's like a plica memoir, no more how knee autobio. And, but it's also his story. And he also talks about sharing your story, you know, in the how important that is. But he's a really good guy. And very genuine. He talks about genuine and authentic relationships and how that has helped him in his life. So that's a book I just, I just finished. I do have one that that I want to start. It's like right upstairs and like just having I just haven't, I just don't like, I don't want to I don't have time to read but come on, like really likely.
Sarah Fejfar 42:12
Two year old and a five year old, you have like an automatic path. And
Benny Gold 42:16
actually, you're the book that you know what book it is, it's a book that was sent to me by somebody who's on my podcast, because these are the relationships that I've started to build with people. So shout out to Anthony Bennett, do chi attorney in New York City, but it's it's an old school book. It's how to how to make friends and win.
Sarah Fejfar 42:35
Oh, is it How to Make Friends and Influence People?
Benny Gold 42:38
Yes. So if you send it to me, I want to start with
Sarah Fejfar 42:43
How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Benny Gold 42:45
Yes. Like that's it. Yeah, I
Sarah Fejfar 42:47
have that on my shelf. I'm thinking of the other one. How to Talk to how to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere and it's by it's by Larry King. Don't laugh if you're an if you were an introvert like me, and going to like a networking thing would like be the scariest thing ever. That book is solid gold. Fact I need to reread. It
Benny Gold 43:09
just sounded intense, you know, but you could also just head right to the bar to the
Sarah Fejfar 43:13
bar. Such good advice many wrong. I'm
Benny Gold 43:16
just kidding. I'm just kidding.
Sarah Fejfar 43:18
You're the whole thing about stories. Hadn't an idea popped into my head. Do you follow Bo Eason, by chance. He's in the online coaching space around sharing your story. And yeah, he might be interesting for you to follow. He's got such an a great message around story. Well, Benny, what I would love to know last is what have you got going on right now that we should know about? And where can Linchpin Nation find you and lawyer stories?
Benny Gold 43:53
Probably at the dinner table right now. You mean?
Sarah Fejfar 43:55
That's for dinner? My
Benny Gold 43:56
kid? Yeah. Oh, no. Like we
Sarah Fejfar 43:58
just were having leftovers.
Benny Gold 44:02
I smell it. We ordered some couple Caesar salads and a little pizza for the kids. Alright, so what um, so Okay, where can they find me now?
Sarah Fejfar 44:12
Yes. You're still on Instagram. Under one handle? Yeah. Okay. Yeah,
Benny Gold 44:15
I got you. Alright, thanks. So Instagram. I'm trying to build up the LinkedIn business community. Instagram, Facebook. Net Tiktok has been sort of the slow go, but that's alright. I'll keep trying. Um, you know, we have a website, the water storage.com Anybody has a blog post including yourself, Sarah, that you want to put up on our awesome on our website. That'd be amazing. And you know, we're just trying to be everywhere and basically get it and get attention. Attention is what wins. It
Sarah Fejfar 44:46
does. And it's at lawyer stories on all of those platforms, right lawyer underscore store underscore stories. Okay, cool. I'll link all that up in the show notes and the name of your membership that you're launching. What's it going to be called? Wire
Benny Gold 45:00
stories connect and cool.
Sarah Fejfar 45:02
Benny, it's been an absolute pleasure to have you on the show today. Thank you so much for being here.
Benny Gold 45:08
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Sarah Fejfar 45:10
Thank you for listening to the greenroom central podcast. If you love this episode, then please take a screenshot on your phone and post it to Instagram. And be sure to tag at Sarah Fejfar. And let me know why you liked it. And what you'd like to hear, or who you'd like to hear from in the future that have helped me know what to create for you. The number one thing I'm asked by CEOs, whether it's their first event, or their 20th is Sarah, how do I get more butts in seats, and so I put together a guide for you. Head over to filling events.com For your free copy of 107 ways to fill. I want to help you quickly master event marketing events. Even if you've never done it before. I've scoured the online business world and found 107 My favorite strategies working right now to fill your next in person or virtual event. Create the event promotion plan you need from these easy to implement customizable strategies for free over at filling events.com I appreciate your commitment to leveling up and learning the mindset and strategy of live events. Keep going, keep learning if you want more head over to greenroomcentral.com for show notes and all the links from today's episode.
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