One of the most common things we hear when entrepreneurs start thinking about hosting a virtual summit is:
“I’d love to host a summit… but I don’t have a big audience yet.”
Sound familiar?
We get it. It can feel intimidating to see all those big-name events out there and wonder how you could possibly pull off something similar when your list is small (or non-existent). But here’s the truth: you do not need a massive audience to host a powerful, profitable virtual summit.
In fact, summits are one of the best strategies to grow your audience in the first place.
So if you’ve been waiting for your email list to hit some imaginary “ready” number before hosting your first event, this post is your sign to stop waiting and start planning.
Let’s dive into how to host a successful virtual summit — even if you’re starting from zero.
Busting the Big Summit Myth: You Don’t Need a Huge List
We’ve heard it all before:
“I’ll host a summit once I have 5,000 subscribers.”
“I need a bigger following before I even think about it.”
Nope. Not true.
Some of the most impactful, high-converting summits we’ve seen have come from hosts with tiny lists — sometimes just a few hundred subscribers, and occasionally none at all (especially if they were pivoting into a new niche).
The secret? It’s not about the size of your audience. It’s about the power of collaboration and visibility.
Why Collaboration Is Your Best Friend When Starting Small
When you bring speakers on board for your summit, you’re not just creating amazing content. You’re also tapping into their existing audiences, networks, and credibility — and that’s the real magic.
Think about it like this: instead of relying only on your own reach, you’re borrowing the visibility of multiple collaborators at once. That’s how small summits turn into big opportunities fast.
Here’s how it works:
1. Mutual Benefit
You’re giving your speakers valuable exposure and a platform to share their expertise — plus the chance to connect with other leaders in their space. In return, they help you spread the word about your summit to their audience.
It’s a win-win.
2. Instant Credibility
Even if your list is small, positioning yourself alongside respected experts immediately elevates your brand. You’re now seen as a peer — someone “in the room” with industry leaders.
3. Audience Sharing
Instead of spending years slowly building your list one subscriber at a time, a summit lets you borrow the reach of your speakers (and their communities) all at once. That kind of visibility snowball can fast-track your growth like nothing else.
Pro Tip: Frame It as a Win-Win
When reaching out to potential speakers, the key is to position your summit as a collaboration — not a favor.
Show them how the event will help them grow their audience, gain visibility, and connect with others in the industry. Make it clear that you’re handling the heavy lifting (tech, design, copy, all the behind-the-scenes work) and that they simply get to show up and shine.
That’s what makes your invitation an easy yes.
The Power of Co-Hosting
Still feeling nervous about going solo? Try co-hosting your first summit.
This is actually how we started!
Co-hosting works beautifully when each person brings different skills or strengths to the table. Maybe one of you is the tech genius while the other has strong connections or an existing audience. Or maybe one of you loves the creative side and the other is more about organization and structure.
Whatever your mix, co-hosting helps you:
✅ Divide the workload
✅ Double your reach and resources
✅ Make the process more fun and less overwhelming
We’ve seen countless examples where two hosts teamed up and created a bigger, more engaging event than they could have pulled off on their own.
Go Beyond Speakers: Think Partnerships
Yes, your speakers are a huge part of your summit’s success — but they’re not the only partners who can help you grow your reach.
Here are a few more ways to collaborate strategically:
🔗 Affiliate Partners
Even if someone isn’t a speaker, they might be willing to share your summit if it’s relevant to their audience. Affiliates can include past attendees, peers in your niche, or business friends who believe in your event.
💼 Sponsors
Brands love visibility opportunities, especially when it comes to highly targeted audiences. You don’t need thousands of attendees to attract sponsors — if your audience aligns with their goals, that’s often more valuable than sheer numbers.
🫶 Community Leaders
Don’t overlook podcast hosts, membership owners, or community managers who serve your ideal audience. Many are open to promoting valuable events or resources to their members if it’s a strong fit.
Simple Steps to Get Started — Even with No Audience
Ready to take action? Here are four practical steps you can take this week to start building momentum.
1. Clarify Your One-Sentence Summit Promise
Write one clear sentence that sums up who your summit is for and what they’ll get out of it. This will keep your outreach, messaging, and promo focused and aligned.
2. Make Your Speaker Outreach List
Create a list of at least 20 potential speakers — include a mix of dream guests, solid fits, and smaller community voices. Add their email, social media handle, and one line on why they’re a great fit.
3. Create a Simple Speaker Kit
Make it easy for speakers to say yes! Include a short pitch, what’s required, deadlines, and when they’ll receive promo materials. The easier you make it, the more likely they’ll commit and promote.
4. Define Your Minimum Viable Summit
You don’t need a 50-speaker, week-long event. Start small! Think:
- A one-day or three-day summit
- 5–10 speakers max
- Focused on one key transformation
Smaller can mean higher quality — and a lot less stress.
Progress Beats Perfect Every Time
Your first summit doesn’t have to be perfect. Ours wasn’t (and neither were the ones after that).
What matters most is getting started. Every summit teaches you something new, builds your audience, and improves your systems for next time.
Momentum beats perfection every single time.
So if you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” time or the “right” audience — stop waiting. Your summit idea is valid.
Start small. Collaborate big. Build as you go.
You’ve got this. 💪