They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. So why not engage your audience on a virtual event platform where they learn and share every single day? I’m sure you’re familiar with many popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram. While these platforms are great for promoting your blog or website without having to create content every time, there are still other platforms on the market that offer a custom experience by allowing you to fully customize your own unique event from scratch. And unlike many of the other platforms mentioned above, these customizable events also provide you with powerful analytics to measure the impact of your efforts, direct invites for live webinars, scheduled reminders based on location, and much more.
Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to increase interactivity and keep your audience tuned in. To help you get the most out of your next online event, we’ve put together this guide with tips from experts and our own experience of hosting virtual events.
Planning a virtual event with a virtual event platform
When planning for any virtual event, there are four major components to consider:
● The event management software that will host the event. Some tools offer live webinars and video sessions, while others provide a more interactive experience with virtual exhibition booths that attendees can browse at their own pace.
● The live or recorded content will be shown at the event. You can use this opportunity to bring in new or preexisting content to showcase your expertise and educate your audience on particular topics. Remember that it’s always best to keep the content short — 10 minutes is typically considered the maximum length for a video session.
● The engagement opportunities during the event. Virtual events aren’t only about watching recorded sessions and engaging with speakers, so consider adding interactive features like chatrooms, live Q&A sessions, and polls/surveys that help attendees feel connected to your brand and one another.
● The follow-up activities after the event end. It’s important to keep the conversation going after the virtual doors close by sending out surveys, following up with attendees who visited your booth, and
Challenge you face while Planning a virtual event with a virtual event platform
The biggest challenge you face is figuring out where to start. Fortunately, you’re not alone: We asked professional planners from around the world for their best virtual event ideas.
1. Get to know attendees with interactive polls
When it comes to hosting a successful virtual event, it’s important to keep your audience engaged throughout the entire experience. A simple way to do that is by utilizing interactive polling during your event.
2. Add gamification elements
Gamification isn’t just for apps and websites — it can drive engagement at virtual events too. From trivia games and bingo boards to scavenger hunts, there are countless ways to incorporate gamification into your virtual event experience.
3. Allow attendees to network in a safe space
Networking can be one of the most valuable parts of an in-person event, but how do you replicate that experience virtually? By creating dedicated networking spaces where attendees can connect with like-minded individuals, build relationships and create meaningful connections.
4. Maximize sponsorship value with sponsorships tailored for online events
You can enhance the value of your sponsors by focusing on the needs of each sponsor individually rather than using a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. This gives sponsors more control over their
Needless to say, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to event platforms. Start with a free virtual event platform, and you’ll be on your way to keeping more leads in your pipeline, increasing customer loyalty, and driving more sales. The biggest advantage comes from the unique combination of both live and recorded content. Satisfied prospects will stay engaged, taking all of your material with them as they go.
5. Selecting the right technology
The number one challenge in planning a virtual event is selecting the right technology to support the whole thing. There are many technologies available in the market but choosing it for your event can be a difficult task. You should consider all the factors such as conference type, audience’s comfortability, and engagement before selecting a technology for your next event.
6. Managing the costs
When you host a physical event, there are multiple costs involved such as venue rental costs, catering costs, and so on. But in the case of virtual events, you don’t have to worry about these things! Nowadays, many online platforms allow companies to host virtual events without incurring high fees.
