The world has changed dramatically over the past couple of years. In the past, we would often sit in our office at 9 AM discussing our company goals and the plans for the day. Now, more companies are opting to allow their workers to work from home.
Humans have a unique way of adapting to the changes brought about by the shift in the world. During this time, Zoom became a household name, and it was able to make work meetings more effective and efficient. It also brought people closer together in today’s socially distant world.
Everything is moving online, and physical events are no exception. For many organizations, the goal of every year is to schedule a series of events that will fulfill their desired goals. Due to the increasing popularity of virtual events, many of these organizations have started hosting events online.
What are Virtual Events?
A virtual event is a type of event that can be hosted online. It can be held in various forms, such as live streams, online conferences, and invite-only events. Some of these can also include live tweeting or interactive discussions.
One of the main advantages of virtual events is that they are relatively inexpensive. They can be held anywhere, and they can be hosted from the comfort of your home. Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages to virtual events. For instance, some people might feel isolated and unable to focus on what you’re saying due to poor audio and video quality. To ensure your virtual event is a success, follow some of the tips below.
1. Set Goals to Follow From the Start
Before you start planning a virtual event, you must have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Having a well-defined goal will allow you to make informed decisions and ensure that the event is successful. One goal should be to give out award plaques if the event is about celebrating the accomplishments of the employees. These can be given to the recipient in person at a later date or mailed to their home address.
2. Choose a Platform to Host the Event
There are a variety of platforms that can be used to host virtual events. One of the most important factors that you should consider is the type of features that they have. The tools offered by the hosting platform should complement your event.
3. Promote Your Event
When it comes to planning an event, it’s important to ensure that it’s advertised properly. This will allow you to reach out to potential attendees and let them know when and how they can participate. Offer clear instructions for attending and include the relevant links for joining.
4. Include Timeframes and Speakers in Your Agenda
An important factor that you should consider when it comes to planning an event is ensuring that the schedule is clear. This will allow you to make informed decisions and ensure that the event is successful. Take into account the number of people planning to attend and the time zones they will be viewing from when determining the time of the event.
5. Engage the Audience
Instead of having an hour-long lecture, plan activities that are designed to involve active participation. Ask your audience to participate in the discussion and interact with the hosts. This will allow attendants to get the most out of the event and enjoy it.
6. Be Prepared for Issues
One platform might be enough. You might also want to consider using a different one if there are issues with the audio or video. Just switch to another service and continue with the event as planned.
7. Debrief and Send Post-Event Follow Ups
Before the event, make sure that your attendees are aware of the various options that they can use to access the recordings of the event after it’s over. This will allow them to view it again and see anything they may have missed.
After the event has concluded, take some time to review the details of the event to ensure that it was successful. This will allow you to prepare for the next virtual event better.
Final Thoughts
Despite the initial doubts that many businesses have about the concept of virtual events, a majority of organizers have successfully conducted them. Having the right virtual events provider and the right strategy can help boost the success of your business.