Virtual meetings, events, and conferences are the new reality for the foreseeable future, and organizations are wise to focus on maximizing these experiences for all involved. With no clear end date for the pandemic, the quicker the decision is made to move to a virtual format, the more capacity the organization has to build out a thriving event. Scaling up an online meeting is not as expensive as scaling up in person, which opens up plenty of opportunity.
Creating points of engagement throughout a virtual event is the key to keeping participants immersed in the experience. Whether it’s chats during presentations or interactive games during breaks between speakers, opportunities abound to keep attendees involved. Put together breakout rooms comprised of people who share a common interest or role, and have a moderator on hand to keep the conversation rolling. The element of surprise goes a long way in fostering engagement, too. Consider creative options like beginning your conference with a cameo welcome from a celebrity, whose “presence” is suddenly a lot more affordable as a five minute pre-recorded greeting. Give away gift cards throughout a session to those interacting with the content. Show virtual behind the scenes tours of interesting, industry-related places to which your participants would not otherwise have access.
Generating engagement is not just limited to the day of the event. Keep the content available online afterward, and create online communities for participants to interact and share ideas, including success stories about what they learned and implemented from the event. Keep the conversation going.
Revenue generation can also be reimagined in an online format. Make recorded sessions available for purchase after the fact for those who did not participate. Or bundle content as part of an enhanced tier of membership. When it comes to securing sponsors for online events, pick up the phone and ask them what their goals are, what they need from the organization. Maybe it’s the mailing list, so they can send swag after they have had some face time at the event, or maybe they would be happy to sponsor in exchange for a conversation with a small group of the organization’s VIP members. A virtual format also offers the opportunity to give sponsors immediate points of data, such as posting a question about their product for attendees while the sponsor presents to them.
Amplifying the experience for virtual participants and sponsors alike just requires some thought and creativity. The result will be a successful event, and an engaged group of people looking out for your next one.