We have all become acquainted with the sphere of Virtual Events in the last few months. Everything from weekend funtainment sessions and staff meetings to conferences and expos has moved to the virtual event platforms. However, to host a successful virtual event is the real task now. Apart from all the safety benefits in response to the pandemic, virtual events also provide advanced beneficial tools and features that can ensure the success of your event. Not only this but also the revenue benefit is a solid reason behind the growing prevalence of virtual events.
So, let’s explore some of the best ways to host a successful virtual event and avoid all the possible mistakes.
Following is a curated virtual event management tips to elevate the prospects of success and lower the chances of any possible mistakes.
1. Have a Predetermined Goal
Having a pre-defined objective helps you have a planned path to walk on while executing the virtual event. Begin by deciding the type of your event, the features you want it to have, the target audience, communication mediums, marketing aspects, the required networking and engagement tools, etc., and jot it down to have a clearer view.
2. Plan a Suitable Agenda
Remote Attendees have a shorter attention span, and being over a virtual venue, they are just a click away from leaving the event. Therefore, it’s significant to ensure that your virtual event doesn’t have a tedious agenda that will bore your attendees out. Try to include short breaks in between the sessions and keep the sessions short. This way, your participants will feel engaged in the event throughout.
3. Understand Your Target Audience
The best way to ensure the success of your event is by understanding the needs and expectations of your target audience. This tip also helps you in framing the efficient content structure for your virtual event. People from your target audience will show interest in your event only when you provide them something of their importance.
4. Choose the Right Virtual Event Platform
Just like it is important to put together a skillful team while hosting a physical event, choosing the right virtual venue provider is equally significant while hosting a virtual event. The right virtual event platform will provide you with all the required advanced tools to ensure the smooth execution of your virtual event by avoiding any possible technical mistakes.
5. Bring On-Board the Proficient Speakers
Bringing on board the skillful orators will help you ensure audience engagement. This is so because the experienced speakers know about the do’s and don’ts of interacting with the attendees. If your virtual event has a disregarding approach towards its participants, they are most likely to feel unspirited and leave the event.
6. Choose the Date and Time Smartly
Hosting an event online doesn’t mean you don’t have to plan the date and time wisely. If you are hosting the event for working professionals, scheduling it on early-week days and working hours can be a bad idea. Also, planning your event on weekends or major holidays is again not appropriate as even they need a resting day. You can instead schedule your event on a midweek day at a time suitable for your target audience.
Although your attendees have plenty of time to be present at the virtual event, there’s also a possibility that your event might clash with any other notable event. So, make sure there is no big event clashing with the timings of your event.
7. Facilitate Great Networking Opportunities
All your participants expect to generate leads and maximize their reach while attending a virtual event. One of the many reasons why virtual events are gaining importance in the modern business world is their proficiency in rendering excellent networking opportunities to all the participants. Following are some of the top-notch networking opportunities provided by efficient virtual event platforms:
- Live audio, video, and text chat
- Embedding Social Media Links of participants
- Digital Business Cards
- Virtual Networking Lounges
- AI Matchmaking
- B2B Meeting Scheduler
- and many more.
By making use of these networking tools, you can increase the event experience of your event and avoid the mistake of disappointing your attendees.
8. Insert Efficient Engagement Tools
Engagement is one of the fundamental elements that determine the success of your event. The more your attendees interact and make impressions at your virtual event, the more it enhances the attendee engagement.
Virtual event platforms provide various tools focused on increasing the engagement of your virtual event, like interactive games, social walls, photo booths, Q&A sessions, contests, trivia, scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms, etc.
9. Know the Importance of Promotion
Promotion leads to a social presence of your event that stays in people’s consciousness for a longer time. There are different ways you can promote and market your virtual event, like email marketing, social media, etc. The biggest advantage of social media today is that it has already brought so many people from across the world together. The groups of your industry and target audience already exist, all you have to do is develop the right strategy to reach them. So, begin sharing attractive posts, tags, keywords related to your event on your social media platforms and website. This will not only increase your event’s reach but also maximize participation.
10. Practice and Test
Overlooking the importance of practicing can be the biggest mistake. Practicing would not harm but only improve the quality of your event’s overall execution. Prepare your speakers, presenters, exhibitors, and all the people involved in the virtual logistics of your event, so there is no possibility of errors while the event goes live.
Also, test the technology before the event to make sure there’s no technical glitch. Check the quality of video, lighting, audio, and internet connection to ensure that all your attendees receive a satisfactory user experience at your virtual event. Don’t forget to ask your virtual venue provider about the device and system backend support, so in case of errors, glitches, or doubts, your participants have a go-to solution.
Looking for a one-stop solution to avoid all the mistakes and host a smooth virtual event? Dreamcast has got your back! Enquire now!