When the entire world was dealing with the massive coronavirus outbreak, virtual events emerged in our lives and delivered fostering connections. A year ago, many people would have been asking “what is a webinar” if they had been sent a link to an online event but now they have become part of our everyday lives. The platform enabled us to stay connected with our closed ones, share essential information with people around the world and much more! Many organisations found extraordinary ways to plan, discuss and carry forward their business as well.
Virtual events are slowly taking over in-person events and why not? It has provided so many advantages to every market today. Right from generating new leads, steady attendance, to better ROI and connections, virtual events have it all. Businesses are even having virtual events that bring in motivational speakers which people can find here, so entertainment can be added during this time.
With the challenging times of nationwide lockdown and guidelines to follow in response to public meet-ups, people have started hosting events in a virtual space because – ‘The Show Must Go On’. Virtual events helped people to gather at one seamless platform and host any kind of event to experience the same look and feel like any live event.
There are quite a few who are still unfamiliar with the term virtual events or even if they do, making an event interesting is something they are yet to discover. If you fall under this particular category, your search ends here! In this article, we have put some key tips that will help you make your next virtual event exciting. But first let’s know the definition of virtual events.
What are Virtual Events?
Virtual events are basically the replica of in-person events except for one difference- it is conducted in an online space. You can host any kind of event virtually. Right from trade shows, fairs, fest to meetings, AGMs, conferences, and a lot more. You can also go on virtual tours, visit any country and experience world cultures. Virtual events hold endless opportunities and not only this, but it is also more convenient. You can attend or host any event from any part of the universe and with only a few requirements. All you need is a strong and stable internet connection, a handy device like a laptop, mobile, or tablet, and some software like can be found at Agora.io that will allow you to live stream.
The world outside is still fighting against the devastating global pandemic and it seems that it is going to stay for a while. But hey! That can’t stop us from not reaching out to the world right? Take a look at the suggestions below to learn about different ways to make your upcoming event more interesting, entertaining, and evolving.
How to Make your Virtual Events Interesting
1. Make an insightful Plan
Hosting your first virtual event can be exciting yet if you really want your event to stand out, there are few points you need to know about the online format and what kind of content would work better in a tech-focused environment. Let’s pretend a business is in the process of turning a live annual meeting into a simulated one. And the conference is noted for its breadth of content, which includes numerous keynote speakers and lectures, as well as multiple parallel breakout sessions scheduled through multiple time slots.
What is the solution? Utilize technologies to your advantage.Perceive a virtual experience as a company highlight reel. What are your ideal messages and points of view to reinforce? In a simulated world, how do you do that effectively? And how do you keep the attendees involved in a setting where disruptions are more likely?
2. Extend your Reach Beyond the Platform
If you’re planning a multi-faceted experience and want to promote many forms of attendee engagement, a robust multimedia interface is the way to go. Platforms have access to a wide range of resources, including video streaming, discussion forums, message boards, file servers, surveys, and online shops.
Don’t forget about the audio/visual equipment you’ll require for a great virtual event. You might argue that in a virtual world, A/V consistency is much more critical, particularly if your audience or peers have voiced reservations about the effectiveness of virtual events. Speakers should be trained separately or in small groups to ensure that they have the best possible appearance and equipment. If your event or conference has several parts, you’ll probably want to hire a moderator or facilitator to get things moving along smoothly. And you’ll need staff on hand to connect on the backend so you can remain ahead of any potential bugs or other issues, handle various sources, and keep the flow going.
3. Customise and Design Your Own Experience
When people come into a live show, they often form an image of the brand that they hold for the duration of their stay. A simulated occurrence, particularly if thought of as an experience, may make a similar perception. It’s all too tempting to ignore a simulated experience as nothing more than a video conference or a webinar. Sure, those are aspects of your event, but keep a broader, 50,000-foot perspective of what’s going on around the world.
Ask the following:
- What kind of environment or sound would you like to set?
- What do you expect guests to feel when they arrive at the event and when they leave?
- How do you inspire participants to form and maintain relationships with one another as well as with you?
- Why does this event take precedence over other options for attendees?
- In a simulated world, how can you have the most value?
Combining experience architecture and strategy, then bringing it to life in a virtual reality, is our tried-and-true magic recipe. You can implement a refined event structure, invite more visitors, and take advantage of other technology-enabled advantages by adopting the special capabilities of the interactive format. As a consequence, you’ll leave a lasting impact that rivals that of a live event.
4. Define Attendee Takeaways
You will see an increase in virtual exhaustion as the number of virtual events grows. In a simulated world, attendees can lose energy and concentrate more easily, so a good virtual event must incorporate effective time management as part of the participant engagement.
Include the following questions as you plan the planning and programming for your event:
- What would you like the guests to take away from the virtual event in terms of facts and emotions?
- If you expect them to behave in some way in the days and weeks after the event?
- What would you do to help participants stay involved and maintain any community-building energy that develops naturally through the online event platform?
- Following the identification of these strategic components, you will work backwards to ensure that your event scheduling, infrastructure, and layout match your objectives.
5. Have Fun!
You’re not alone if you feel like the first half of the year has been a big ball of tension! However, remember to have fun while you prepare the next virtual experience. In a live show, what kinds of socialising and other events will you include? And how do you adapt such concepts to a virtual environment?
For example, you might hold a virtual wine tasting or happy hour. Many winemakers and distilleries also sell pre-event cocktail packages (sometimes with food) which you can deliver to guests. Allow guests to relax, drink, and catch up with each other after the winery or distillery owner provides some background information.
Digital live music concerts, virtual tours to nearby or distant locations, a culinary show, or an artistic project are all possibilities. Visitors will be kept excited and motivated by impromptu giveaways. Think of ways to concentrate on fitness and nutrition, such as an online yoga instructor or guided meditation workshop.
Over to You
Online events provide you with useful information to help you schedule upcoming events. Businesses will have more opportunities now that simulated activities are more commonly available. The dilemma now, more than ever, comes down to the layout and resources that can have the best attendee experience, which you will evaluate on a particular circumstance scale. We hope these suggestions have sparked some new ideas for you!
