121 - How to Use Community to Boost Event Engagement and Sales with Linda Cain

In this episode of The High Profit Event Show, Rudy Rodriguez sits down with Linda Cain, a woman whose impact in the events industry spans more than 1,400 events worldwide. Linda has been producing transformational experiences since she was a teenager, working with some of the most respected names in the industry. She is known not only for her event production company, BluDiamond Events, but also for her signature Sweet Retreats framework, which assists coaches and thought leaders deliver heart-centered, life-changing retreats. Outside her professional world, Linda is a long-time Pomeranian breeder, a devoted wife of 40 years, and an avid water skier.

Rudy and Linda begin by exploring one of the biggest shifts happening in the event industry today: the move toward bite-sized experiences. Linda explains that traditional webinars no longer create the kind of engagement event leaders need. Instead, mini workshops, short masterclasses, and hands-on micro-trainings are outperforming longer, lecture-style sessions because they give attendees a real, immediate win. She shares compelling examples from clients who deliver 90-minute interactive experiences—complete with breakout rooms and transformational exercises—that naturally lead participants into their larger three-day events or high-ticket programs. These small experiences create momentum, clarity, and early breakthroughs that make people want more.

The conversation expands into what Linda believes is the single most important strategy for event leaders right now: building community. She emphasizes that community is not a membership site, but rather the intentional ecosystem that surrounds an event as people get to know each other, connect, and feel seen. She describes how pre-event touchpoints—such as WhatsApp groups, networking sessions, micro-gatherings, and curated introductions—dramatically increase show-up rates and deepen engagement. When attendees feel connected before they even arrive, they are far more likely to stay engaged throughout the experience and continue working with the host afterward. Linda paints a clear picture of how nurturing low-hanging fruit, mid-tier prospects, and premium clients together creates a thriving long-term ecosystem.

Linda and Rudy then turn to the third major pillar of the episode: the use of surveys and assessments to tailor events and increase conversions. Linda reveals her three-survey system, beginning with an intake questionnaire at ticket purchase, followed by an event-specific survey closer to the start date, and finally a real-time assessment during the event—strategically placed before the offer. These surveys reveal what the audience truly needs, where they are in their readiness, and how the host can adjust the content or offer in the moment to match the room. She shares a powerful example from a JVology event where assessments completely reshaped the event design and produced the strongest outcomes the host had ever seen. For Linda, surveys are one of the most overlooked but essential tools for event success.

The episode concludes with Linda sharing her passion for events and her belief that everyone has an event inside them waiting to be expressed. She encourages leaders to charge what they’re worth, stay committed to building authentic community, and use assessments to stay aligned with the people they serve. Her message is clear: events are meant to bring people together, create transformation, and spark meaningful growth—and when designed with intention, they truly can.

If you are an event leader looking to increase engagement, fill your room with the right people, and create transformative experiences, this conversation offers a masterclass in modern event strategy from one of the most trusted experts in the field.

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