Virtual events are one of the safest and most innovative ways of building and developing strong community bonds. Plus, they can also help in engaging communities across the globe. Conducting a virtual community event is a daunting task, and things become challenging if you have little to no knowledge about it.
You can take a cue from Viafoura and learn about some proven tips and tricks of hosting a virtual conference.
Online events have gained massive popularity as more and more people have started exploring online communities. They help brands find new leads while strengthening their bond with their existing customers. If you are looking forward to conducting virtual events, keep the following pointers in mind to pull up a flawless online event.
1. Create personalized content resonating with your audience
The best content is the one that entertains and educates the attendees and solves their problems. And the same is applicable in the case of virtual events. Generally, the online audience has short attention spans. Hence, it’s essential to add the most relevant info to the content and deliver it to the audience in chunks.
2. Connect with your community for pre-event chat
Leverage the period before your virtual event starts. Use this marketing period wisely to spread the word about your event among your target audience. Conduct a webinar, fireside chat, run LinkedIn live streams or Clubhouse rooms, or schedule a Q&A session. You may choose any medium to gather your community for the event.
A week before the event is an excellent opportunity for creating buzz about your event. Don’t forget to introduce the speakers to your online community.
3. Add the elements of wellness and fun to the virtual event.
People always look forward to educating themselves through virtual events. But at the same time, they do not want to spend their entire day in the educational sessions. It’s hard to absorb too much content at a go.
Therefore, it’s wise to break up the schedule. Add some fun pauses between the sessions to help attendees relieve their stress. It will also increase their focus on the event.
But make sure the intermission content isn’t related to the agenda. The idea is to come up with something off the track.
- For example, you can get instructors on board to guide the attendees in stress management, productivity, psychology, or even cooking.
- Alternatively, you may schedule a mediation session or invite a storyteller to add fun between the sessions. So it will be both exciting and entertaining for the people.
4. Create a community chat section to earn bonus networking points
The group chat allows people to network and interacts with new people who can help them build great connections. It’s a place where individuals can post queries, meet, and respond to like-minded people.
Come up with a creative subject line to encourage the individuals to speak out their minds and share their worst and best experiences related to the topic. It’s also one of the best ways to connect with people interested in a common theme.
5. Leverage AI tools to connect with people having similar interests
AI-powered matchmaking uses an algorithm for connecting attendees with similar needs or interests. It eventually enhances the networking opportunities in the virtual event. The AI tools use attendee profiles for segregating and linking them with other community members based on their demographics or interests. And the like-minded people get the recommendation accordingly.
The hosts can use grouped data for boosting marketing campaigns and helping individuals and sponsors reach individuals with similar interests. It is one of the most efficient ways to sort data. Plus, it saves the attendees and the host from sorting large volumes of info and data to network and engage with new people.
6. Organize competitions in the virtual event to encourage attendees for community engagement
Nothing excites people more than winning a prize. You can consider it as an opportunity to increase engagement. Find a sponsor interested in sponsoring competitions and rewards in your virtual event. It will not only boost the individuals to attend your event but they’ll also be encouraged to connect with other community members and speakers.
Come up with exciting award titles such as “Best Community Member” or “Most Active Networker” or anything similar. Use this opportunity to increase the audience responses for post-session feedback or post-event surveys. Adding the element of competition and prizes will make your event highly engaging and exciting.
7. Get ratings for your event from the attendees
Polls are the best way to increase audience engagement. Plus, you can use this alternative to determine what the individuals think of your brand or event. Virtual events give the flexibility to share multiple polls related to the event or the agenda. You can also take their opinion about any specific topic discussed in the event.
Get their ratings and feedback on the virtual event. Then, ask them for their suggestions. The idea here is to understand the thought process and perspective of the audience so that you can build a better setup for your next online event.
8. Go live to increase audience engagement in the online event.
Most speakers and event organizers opt for pre-recorded content and avoid going live to save themselves from dealing with the risk of technical issues or mistakes.
- However, live sessions are more engaging and attract the audience in large numbers.
- In addition, people are more interested in real-time conversations.
- The speakers can meet the audience’s queries and connect with them better.
- Moreover, attendees are more focused on the events in real-time.
Therefore, create virtual roundtables and networking lounges to enable the attendees to discuss their points and thoughts via live audio or video chat.
Endnote
Be transparent and authentic with your online community. Organizers should share their real experiences and stories related to the event’s agenda. It not only helps build trust but also encourages individuals for deeper community engagements. Besides, be open to feedback. Respond to each query and request to grab attention and generate interest in the attendees for the virtual event.
