How to Host a Great Virtual Event

A lot of people connect with their friends and family online. Virtual events, on the other hand, are a low-cost opportunity to network with other professionals. Because so much business, networking, and social life moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual event market has continued to grow. It can be challenging to host a virtual event, but it doesn’t have to be. You can make sure that your virtual event is successful and provides everyone with an excellent experience by following some helpful guidelines and best practices:

Set Clear Goals

Ensure you understand why you want to host an event before deciding on the best virtual event platform or organizing the itinerary. Make sure the project team is aware of your goals by setting SMART goals.

Choose a Platform

Numerous platforms provide a variety of features, from co-hosting with another business or group to complex moderation tools. While Zoom is wonderful (and I’m sure it was your first thought), plenty of other platforms make great hosts. Some include Introvoke, IceBreaker, and Remo.

Consider the Time 

Consider the number of attendees, whether or not they are in the same time zone, and how much time you’ll need for questions and answers. Keep in mind that different countries have different holiday schedules! Be sure to send details about the event, including the link, date, and time, distribute invitations virtually, and send reminders before the event.

Promote the Event

Don’t expect an audience to find you; instead, market your event extensively in advance so that attendees know its date and how to participate. The conversation can be started on social media before, during, and after the event. Create a dedicated Instagram account for the event, choose a hashtag, or post a countdown to the big day to start building momentum in advance. Encourage readers to share your content, write comments, and tag friends who might be interested.

Engage With Your Audience

To keep attendees interested, allowing two-way communication during the event is important. Instead of giving an “hour lecture,” plan activities that will need active participation from your audience. Encourage your guests to engage in discussion with one another and to ask questions of the hosts.

Troubleshooting

You may be using a new platform. Another possibility is that this is the first time you’ve had to separate people into smaller groups. No matter what event you have, there is probably something new. That is why it is critical to schedule practice runs before the event. You should also consider utilizing different platforms. That way, you can switch to an additional service in case your video or audio has any technical issues and carry on with the event as scheduled.

It takes a lot of teamwork to organize virtual events. So be sure to express your gratitude to everyone who was involved.  One of the best ways to ensure people keep coming back is to express your appreciation. With some event customization, practice, and engagement strategies, you’ll be comfortable with video screens and virtual connectivity in no time.

Need someone to handle the stress of planning your event? Let’s chat! Call us today.