Summit and Business Shifts I Noticed in 2024 (and How I'm Applying Those Things in 2025)

It's time for my traditional year-end reflection episode where I talk about changes I noticed over the past year and what I think that means for us all in the new year.

Of course, I'll focus a lot on summit trends and changes I've noticed over the last year, and what I expect for summits in 2025. But the things I'm seeing with summits are also part of the wider trends and changes in online business as a whole. So let's get into it! 

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Summit Changes

Let's take a look at some trends I've noticed in summits in 2024, including some niche saturation, how summits are being used as launch events, and which types of summits I think are going to take off in 2025.

#1. It's getting harder to host big summits in saturated niches

There some niches where summits are becoming more and more popular, which is making it harder to host BIG summits. That doesn't mean it's impossible, but it does mean that you'll need to do more to stand out if your summit's niche is getting saturated. We actually had some of our biggest client summits ever in 2024. 

A couple of examples of niches that are getting more saturated these days are online business summits in the B2B space, and card-making summits in the B2C space. We've been having a lot of fun working with clients inside the Launch with a Summit Accelerator® to find ways we can position their summit in a unique way and just make their summits stand out from the crowd! Just because your summit is in a saturated niche doesn't mean you won't be successful - it just means you may have to work a little harder to get there.

#2. There aren't as many new summits

Another trend I saw this year was more and more summit hosts repeating summits they've run before, rather than hosting new ones -  which is great if you're planning a new summit! You're more likely to stand out as a brand-new summit right now, as long as you get your positioning right. If you're a repeat summit host, that means you've got a head start on making your next summit great, too!

#3. Summits are becoming launch events

I think we started a trend! 😉 I've been using summits as a launch event for years now, and our clients inside the Accelerator use their summits as successful launch events too.

Not everyone is executing this very well, though. The idea of using a summit as a launch event is becoming the norm in a lot of niches, so it's not the "new and unexpected and fun" thing that it used to be. That means that you can't just launch with a summit and expect it to work! You need to use your summit the right way if you want it to be successful.

#4. There are more B2C summits on the rise!

I'm really excited about this trend of more and more B2C summits! Back when I was getting started, I was mostly supporting clients and students in B2B niches with their summits. Then a few brave souls in B2C Niches - like Brandi from Card Maker Success Summit and Abbi from Cricut Craftfest - gave summits a try and blew it out of the water. Other people in the B2C niches took notice.

Since then, the craft niche and other B2C summits have grown. I think we're going to see this trend continue, with more B2C business owners seeing the potential of summits. That's great if you're in the B2C niche, because hosting a summit can be huge for your business!

B2B summit hosts have to work harrrrrd or make sure they really stand out in order to create a 6-figure summit... but it doesn't surprise me anymore when it happens for my B2C clients inside the Accelerator. That kind of success extends to all sorts of niches:

• Crafting
• Teachers
• Therapists
• Health-related summits
• Dance
• Travel
• and so much more!

I'll be honest: our Launch with a Summit Accelerator® program is mostly full of B2C clients at this point, but I still see so many B2C business owners hesitate on hosting a virtual summit. That's why I'm SO excited that we're going to support the shift by hosting a summit about summits for B2C business owners in 2025! Go to summitinabox.co/sws-waitlist to join the waitlist for the summit - it's happening in late February!

Business Changes

I've also noticed some changes in online business overall this year! 2024 seems to have generally had a lack of momentum in online business. A lot of people have been hesitant to invest, which has contributed to that. Let's look at some of the other factors, too...

#1. Live launches haven't been as successful

We've had to work on evergreen strategies and find ways to fuel those evergreen funnels. I don't think live launches are dead, by any means, but there's been a lot of resistances around them lately. When I did live launches in 2024, they haven't gone as well as the host was hoping for, which I'm sure has contributed to the ongoing live launch resistance!

I think it's still important to have both live launches and evergreen funnels. More important, though, is to have ways for people to pay you at any time, create those solid evergreen funnels, and have reliable ways to fill those funnels with leads (you know, like summits!).

#2. Micro-transformations are on the rise

I've been noticing that more and more offers are being positioned with super-specific "micro" problems. This kind of messaging seems to be performing better than the all-encompassing programs with bigger promises!

I feel like this has technically always been the case, but it's becoming more noticeable alongside other changes this year. This positioning shift is true for online business as a whole, but it also translates to summit messaging and positioning too, of course.

What all of this means for summits and online business in 2025

Based on all of these shifts I've seen in 2024, I think we're going to need to be ready to get creative and make quick shifts in 2025, both in our businesses and our virtual summits. The quick shifts will apply more to business than summits, but it does mean you should get your summit dates decided on as soon as you can!

If time is an issue for you, I have a new little mini-course called Make the Time to help you see where you can make some space for it, based on the results other strategies are getting you. It’s only $9 and you can grab it at summitinabox.co/make-the-time!

Key Takeaways

Overall, while I do think things are changing, I don't necessarily think it's different from the changes that are always happening. Let's be real, online business is constantly changing and whether you continue to see success will come down to whether can adapt to that change or not. I know you can!

Resources

• Episode 220: Find What Works and Create Your Evergreen Ecosystem with Mariah Coz
• Episode 233: A 4 Step Process for Positioning Your Summit for Success with Elli Runkles
• Episode 243: The Best Types of Offers to Launch Through a Virtual Summit
• B2C Summit Waitlist
• Make the Time
• Summit Host Hangout Facebook group
• Launch with a Summit Accelerator
• 6-Figure Summits Workshop Bundle

View related episodes >>

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