How to Host a Successful Virtual Event

How to Host a Successful Virtual Event

Futuristic as they might seem, virtual events have been around since 1993 when the world’s first live-stream astonished viewers with footage of a coffee maker brewing up some joe. Needless to say, we’ve come a long way since then. You can now host a range of virtual events, including:

  • Conferences
  • Meetups
  • Webinars
  • Courses
  • Workshops

In the face of a global pandemic, businesses are using these methods to stay in touch with customers and employees. The following guide will help you organise a successful virtual event.

Strategise

What do you aim to accomplish? There are several factors to consider here. Your budget will mostly determine the experience you can offer. Aim to deliver something unique that generates buzz and sets you apart from competitors. Perhaps you can use analytics to collect useful data and information from the event.

Don’t forget about your audience. Zoom may be suitable for staff meetups, while keynotes require more accessible platforms like YouTube. You may also have to contend with different time zones.

Choose Your Host

Whether you hire a professional speaker or have an internal staff member on stage, they need to speak clearly and possibly respond to questions fielded in the live chat. They should also be able to look into the camera and away from the script. Your best bet is to partner with someone who has experience presenting virtual events.

Thanks to booking services like Speakers Corner, you can easily choose from speakers in a wide range of business and entertainment spheres. Webinar speakers, conference facilitators, and more can be found on their website. This includes well-known public figures such as David Walliams, Adrian Chiles, and Charlotte Hawkins among others.

Promote

You can increase the number of virtual attendees by utilising social media and your existing marketing network. If your website runs a blog, then publishing a post about the event is a good idea. Build on this further by adjusting your content schedule to post relevant topics leading up to the date.

Google and Facebook ads that are targeted to the right demographic can also help. Make sure they have compelling copy and visuals, as well as a clear call-to-action. For events that require registration, you’ll likely need to create a virtual landing page where participants can easily sign up.

Incentivise

Another great way to get more people on board is to offer attractive incentives. This can include free merchandise and exclusive access to content that your audience finds valuable. Your approach will mostly depend on whether or not the event is free. If attendees have to pay, then you can provide e-books, discount codes or extended trials upon registration.

Prepare

What if your event fails due to a technical issue? Do you have a backup platform? Can you reschedule? It’s wise to ensure that you have a solid contingency plan in place. It should cover the possibility of speakers failing to appear, as well as if more or less participants tune in than expected.

As a bonus tip, remember to ask for feedback at the end of your virtual event. This can provide useful insights on how you can make the next one even better.

For more details about the information discussed, please visit the Speakers Corner website.

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