One program, three distinct jobs. Each tier feeds the next: Demos feed Classes, Classes feed Workshops. The result is a clearer promise to customers and a more repeatable operating model for stores.

Where the Rework Study and the program guide differ — Demo length, Workshop ceiling, Class cap — the numbers above follow the Rework Study.

Place an idea in the lowest tier that can honestly deliver its promised outcome. Move it upward when any of these are true:

• Attendees must practice repeatedly or receive individual correction to succeed.
• Setup, consumables, equipment turnover or cleanup cannot fit the lower-tier time window.
• The project requires drying, curing, glue-up, multiple machining steps, or work across days.
• The learning promise includes independent beginner capability, a substantial build, or a take-home tool system.

Not a Demo when…

Every attendee must machine a part, repeated coaching is essential, or cleanup pushes total operating time past the window.

Not a Class when…

The outcome needs more than two hours, extensive milling or glue cure, sustained one-to-one correction, or a substantial take-home tool kit.

Portfolio mix

Start with a broad base of Demos, a dependable core of repeatable Classes, and a narrow set of signature Workshops. Set the exact mix during a pilot using demand, instructor capacity, equipment constraints and economics — don't impose a systemwide ratio without store-level evidence.

Every offering uses the same core fields. Detail grows by tier, but the customer outcome, safety boundaries, material plan, itinerary, price and next step should never be ambiguous.

Before publishing a fee, calculate the full session cost, divide by conservative paid enrollment, then compare with the tier ceiling and the value the customer receives.

Standards

• Instructor pay: $30–40 per hour, plus an agreed setup fee where applicable.
• 50/50 split (alternative): the instructor takes half of ticket revenue and the store's labor, materials and fees come out of the other half. Break-even seat becomes 2 × (store labor + materials + fees) ÷ conservative paid enrollment. Check the split still works out to at least the $30–40 hourly standard at a conservative fill; it does not apply to free Demos.
• 70/30 split (alternative): the instructor takes 70% of ticket revenue and the store keeps 30%. Break-even seat becomes (store labor + materials + fees) ÷ (30% of the price − materials per seat). Only works when 30% of the price covers materials with room to spare.
• Classes: targeted at $50 with materials included. If cost exceeds that, examine duration, complexity, material cost and instructor pay — and consider whether it's really a Workshop.
• Workshops: $150–250. Above that, the workshop is probably too complex; explore multi-day or leveled offerings (101, 102) instead.
• Demos: free, or a $5 reservation deposit redeemable the same day.

If the economics don't work inside the ceiling: simplify the content, increase safe capacity, find vendor support, or move the concept to a different format.

Safety is part of the curriculum, not a disclaimer. Each syllabus documents hazards, controls, PPE, supervision ratios, machine access, participant eligibility, emergency stop, material handling, ventilation and cleanup. Established Woodcraft and manufacturer requirements always govern — this does not replace them.

Safety by design

• Use demonstration-only formats when a large group can't safely rotate through equipment inside the time window.
• Pre-machine or pre-stage components when it preserves the objective and removes low-value risk or waiting.
• State the stop-work signal at the start; empower any instructor or assistant to pause the session.
• Offer an alternate observation or non-powered activity for accessibility or comfort.

Store readiness checklist

• The offering fits its tier's duration, price, capacity, takeaway and labor definition.
• The promise is observable and the itinerary leaves enough practice or question time to deliver it.
• Safety review covers PPE, age, instructor qualification, sightlines, emergency stop, cleanup, store traffic.
• Capacity is based on the real constraint: equipment, benches, instructor span, ventilation, noise or egress.
• Materials are standardized, in stock, portioned, labeled and costed at conservative enrollment.
• The instructor has a complete sample, a reset plan, and a backup for equipment or material failure.
• The next learning step is scheduled or interest can be captured; the merchandise connection is useful and optional.
• There is a cancellation process, attendee communication and post-session review owner.

The title is the first thing people see and the thing that decides whether they read further. Use names that signal action and level. Avoid overly clever titles that hide the outcome, and advanced-sounding language on beginner sessions.

• Demo: “Sharpening in 3 Steps”
• Class: “Preserve Your Tools: Sharpening Basics”
• Workshop: “Build a Leather + Wood Stool”

Customer-facing description formula

Organic

• Create a Facebook Event for every Demo, Class and Workshop.
• Post to tease it ahead of the event.
• Share the event into local Facebook groups.

Paid

• Boost the event with a budget equal to 1–2 tickets.
• Weigh capacity and other expenses first — a 1–2 ticket budget only pays off if there are seats left to sell.

Paid ad audience setup

1. Deselect Advantage+ audience.
2. Choose People you choose through targeting.
3. Under Audience details, set the most likely demographic for that boost — age and driving distance are the important variables.
4. Narrow further by interest under Detailed targeting.

In-store merchandising

• Place the demonstrated product and finished samples where attendees can inspect them without blocking traffic.
• Use “Learn it here” shelf markers or QR links to the next local session; keep messaging specific to the skill.
• Build Good / Better / Best options only when the instructor can explain the tradeoffs neutrally.
• For Classes and Workshops, prepare a project continuation list: required, useful next, later upgrade.
• Avoid forcing a purchase at the close. Credibility and successful use are the longer-term retail advantage.

Build monthly calendars around customer pathways rather than unrelated topics. A Demo previews or de-risks a nearby Class; a Class prepares customers for a selective Workshop. Repeat proven core offerings often enough that staff can recommend a next date with confidence.

Review cadence

1. Before launch: instructor dry-run, timing test, material-cost check, safety review, customer-description review.
2. After each first run: record actual timing, bottlenecks, material variance, questions, incidents and near misses, attendee learning results.
3. After three runs: Scale, Revise or Retire.

Demos

Classes

Workshops