Virtual summits have been getting harder to do well - so before you commit months of energy to one, let's figure out if it's the right move for you. In this episode, I'm breaking down what a summit is truly designed to do (and what it's not), the two business types that will see the most success with them, and the clear signs that you're ready - or that it might be worth waiting a little longer. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/325

In this episode, Krista sits down with Janelle Hardy, a memoir writer and somatic healing practitioner, to break down how she used virtual summits in a creative, B2C niche to grow her email list and turn that growth into six-figure course sales. Janelle shares her journey from hosting her very first summit to running repeatable events that now fuel premium course launches year after year. You'll hear what changed over time, how she built momentum without sponsorships, why list growth mattered more than conversion rates early on, and how she aligned her summits with high-touch, higher-ticket offers without pressure-based marketing. If you've ever wondered whether summits could work for a non-traditional audience or support a more values-driven business model, this conversation will expand what you think is possible. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/324

If your email list is growing by a trickle despite the fact that you're consistently creating content and showing up on social media, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm breaking down why your current strategies are keeping you stuck and why one well-run summit can add more people to your list than an entire year of content creation. I'll share the simple math that shows what you're actually missing, real results from clients in niches like backyard chicken keeping, crochet, and elementary music, and the three specific things that make a summit actually move the needle on list growth. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/323

What if going live for just five minutes during your summit could be the thing that shifts you from "event organizer" to "obvious expert"? Video Strategist Alex Carmeli is breaking down exactly how to use live video before, during, and after your virtual summit to build trust fast and create attendees who can't wait to invest in your offers. You'll hear Alex's specific live video frameworks for summit week, her "Power Five" post-summit video types for nurturing new leads, and her seven-part scripting system that gets you camera-ready in 20 minutes or less. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/322

Do you cringe at the idea of mentioning your offer during your summit? Or have you been to a summit that felt like one giant pitch-fest and swore you'd never do that to your audience? There's a big space between those two extremes and that's exactly where the good stuff happens. In this episode, I'm walking you through how to build awareness of your offer during your summit in a way that feels natural and generous (not gross), and why not doing this might be the reason your post-summit launch feels harder than it should. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/321

Networking doesn't have to feel exhausting! In this episode, Sara Alepin, founder of District Bliss, shares how to create feel-good networking experiences in your virtual summits that build genuine community and naturally lead to higher conversion rates for your offers. You'll learn why traditional networking feels so terrible, how to reframe it, the questions that create authentic connection, and how community building impacts your summit ROI. Plus, Sara shares how she successfully positioned her membership offer through genuine connection rather than pushy sales tactics. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/320

Have you ever wondered why some summits casually pull in six figures while others struggle to break 5-figures? After diving deep into patterns and numbers across hundreds of summits, I discovered that there are two types of businesses that are set up incredibly well for highly successful summits.

In this episode, I'm breaking down these two types of businesses so you can see exactly where you fit and what a six-figure summit could look like for you.

Whether you're in a hobby niche with a massive audience or you're in B2B with higher-ticket offers, this episode will show you the path to your own six-figure summit.

For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/319

It's a gut-wrenching feeling to have hosted a summit and then spot someone else using your name, theme, or idea. Copycats are common in the summit world and most hosts don't know how to protect themselves until it's too late. In this eye-opening episode, I sat down with award-winning trademark attorney Joey Vitale, founder of Indie Law and author of Legally Legit, to break down exactly how to safeguard your summit brand and stop copycats before they start. You'll learn what parts of your summit can (and can't) be legally protected, when to trademark your summit name, how many hosts make trademark protection harder than it needs to be, and more. Whether you're planning your first summit or running your fifth, this episode will help you build authority and peace of mind by protecting the brand you've worked so hard to create. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/318

Ever wonder what separates a successful summit from one that flops? After analyzing dozens of summits that didn't go as planned, I found clear patterns in what makes them fail. In this episode, I'm breaking down the 4 main categories where summits go wrong: positioning, event design, speakers, and monetization. If you're planning a summit or had one that didn't perform like you hoped, this episode will show you what went wrong and how to fix it. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/317

SEO isn't dead, but it is quickly evolving. And if you're hosting a virtual summit, you need to understand how AI-powered search is changing the game. This week, Maria Elena Duron breaks down why summit hosts are uniquely positioned to win with AI search, the speaker page strategy that builds your authority, and how to get found faster without sacrificing your human touch. You'll learn tactical steps like leveraging Google Search Console, keeping speaker pages live, and why FAQ content is gold for AI platforms. Whether you're planning your first summit or your fifth, this episode will change how you think about getting discovered online. For show notes, head to https://summithosthangout.com/316