6 tips to Host a Virtual Event

It’s no secret the events industry has been one of the hardest hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the first things to be banned was public gatherings sigh.

So we waited, and hoped, and as things started to quickly develop we knew we had to pivot. We love events for different reasons, one of them being the dynamics it involves. No two events are ever the same (at least for us).

So what do we do now that we’re inside? We go down the rabbit hole of virtual events.

A VIRTUAL EVENT IS ANY EVENT THAT IS HELD ONLINE. WE HOWEVER LOVE TO ADD, “IT’S NOT A WEBINAR”. (MAINLY BECAUSE THIS HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH VIRTUAL EVENTS, BEING THE EASIEST SOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT FOR TRAINING SESSIONS AND MEETINGS). WE DARED TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE AND NOW SHARE A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO HOST YOUR OWN VIRTUAL EVENT.

  1. DETERMINE WHAT ARE YOUR OBJECTIVES?

    Why are you hosting this event? As with a face to face event, it’s important to be clear on the objective of your event. Is it to create leads for another event, just to have fun, to share a small in person event with persons unable to attend?

     

  2. DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT YOU NEED.

    Do persons just need to show up and listen or do you need them to actively participate? Do they need to have a mic and/or video to participate or can they just use a chat box. Do you need to have a space for them to browse your sponsors or exhibitors and network with each other? It’s important to incorporate ways your audience can actively participate during your event.

     

  3. CONSIDER YOUR PLATFORM OPTIONS

    Once you’ve determined 1 & 2, this will help decide what is the best platform to use. Will a regular Zoom or Google Meet session work or do you require a bit more (yes, there are more options available which we are happy to discuss on a call with you). Do you require persons to purchase a ticket for your event? Research the features of the available platforms and determine which is best. Note: there may be a cost involved.

     

    So on that note:

  4. DO A BUDGET

    Virtual events are not always free events, so depending on the scale of the event, it’s very ok to charge a fee. Besides the cost of the platform, other costs associated may include speaker’s fees, advertising & marketing, event manager, payment gateway platform etc. If it’s a paid event, what are your other sources of revenue besides ticket sales – sponsorship, exhibition space, merchandising are options available to you.

  5. CONSIDER YOUR AESTHETICS

    If this was a face to face event, you will be considering decor, stage, lighting etc. Don’t neglect the aesthetics of your virtual event. Once that screen goes live, what do people see? Remember, the screen (and what comes through it) is the only thing to hold their attention. So ensure it is visually appealing.

  6. CONSIDER THE ATTENDEE EXPERIENCE

    From registration to attending the event. K.I.S.S.
    When planning your agenda, keep your attendee experience at the front of your mind. All you have at your disposal is screen so what can you do to keep them engaged? Activities? Competitions? Giveaways? Music at an appropriate time? Also, for those seminars/conferences, consider the length of time of your sessions. Breaks will be needed more frequently and sessions may have to be shorter depending on your content.

Virtual events are no walk in the park but they can be just as rewarding.

We hope these tips help guide you as you transition to the world of virtual events.

We will be happy to help you explore how to take one of your scheduled events online! Book a free consultation with us below and let’s chat!

Download our Corporate Brochure for a list of all the ways we can help you achieve your objectives!

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Download our Corporate Brochure for a list of all the ways we can help you achieve your objectives!