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With the evolving software technologies and pandemic restrictions, we have seen businesses in turmoil, causing them to shift their traditional approaches in favour of the virtual world. As the Covid restriction stretched the businesses in each domain, the worst-hit sector was the events management sector. However, innovation prevailed in this sector as well. Thanks to the awesome tech that is now available in the market.
If event management and organisers nowadays know anything, it’s to develop effective engagement and relationships. Engagement is the pulse of the whole event, if engagement reduces the event loses its efficacy. Engagement is even more important in online events. You need your audience hooked to their devices and communication keeps flourishing to and fro.
About 93% of marketer’s plan to shift and invest in virtual events, and 67% of businesses prefer virtual events complementary to in-person events.
Virtual events will be more popular, even when the world returns to normalcy in 2022. However, some online events are superior to others. This article is for you if you want to avoid dull webinars or want to know how to conduct a virtual event.
People use interactive virtual events to network or engage with like-minded individuals, and to discover new business partners. Incorporating an interaction element is undoubtedly an engaging and enjoyable approach to bring a customised touch to the event.
We will share the ten most amazing ideas to make your virtual or online corporate events more unique and engaging.
1. Improvise audience interaction by introducing engaging quizzes
Curiosity is the basis of new developments and is one of the most effective tools to enthral your audience. Quizzes are inherently known to spark curiosity.
Engaging your virtual audience in interactive activities like questionnaires and quizzes can save them from getting distracted or bored from your event.
Make sure that your audience is participating throughout each and every step of the conversation. Encourage your audience to be inventive and offer them a reward if they performed well during the Q&A.
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2. Try to incorporate networking opportunities.
Networking is an essential factor in the success of an event. Networking lounges offer virtual social places for attendees, sponsors, and speakers to interact. There’s no need for participants to skip out simply because they won’t be meeting face-to-face. They can identify opportunities to interact with like-minded people by specifying specific hobbies and event goals.
One of the best practices to encourage networking at your event is to ensure that mobile phones are involved in the event. You’ll leverage most of the technology you currently have in place to foster community and keep participants engaged after and during your virtual event.
With in-app chatting and matchmaking features, you can create virtual networking possibilities. Also, provide participants with specialised Telegram, Slack, or WhatsApp channels on specific themes to connect and engage in conversation.
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3. Utilise perfect streaming platforms for your event
The platform you would employ to stream your event will be dependent on what you are delivering. Zoom might be an excellent choice if you’re holding a webinar and want to limit attendee involvement.
Do you want to broadcast a movie? Vimeo provides password-protected broadcasts, allowing you to ensure that only ticket holders can attend.
If neither of those alternatives is suitable for your event, there are many more to consider. You can opt for top streaming platforms like KANOPY, YOUTUBE and HOOPLA etc.
4. Utilise precise marketing strategies
Marketing for an online event differs from marketing for in-person gatherings or events. Marketing the week before an event generates 47 per cent more prepaid tickets than marketing a month in advance.
It’s simpler than ever to advertise virtual events, thanks to social media and streamlined marketing tools. With an excellent guide to online marketing events, you can ensure you’re promoting accurately for your customers.
5. Introduce gamification
Attendees receive points and rewards by interacting with your platform during the event, much like they do at in-person events. They climb the leader board by attending sessions and networking spaces, inquiring, completing questionnaires and evaluations, downloading information, engaging in digital scavenger hunts, and other activities.
Audience engagement data provides insight into attendee preferences and priorities. Use engagement data, such as session check-ins, downloads, and participation, to drive sales, marketing tactics and improve future events.
6. Hold breakout sessions for effective engagement.
Breakout sessions bring together small groups of registrants to explore specific event themes. They may be created electronically or in-person using virtual event software.
By matching users with common interests, you can assure compatibility in your virtual and in-person breakout sessions with Participant Matching. Virtual participants have the option of joining their own private video chat session.
To boost virtual participation activities, try to arrange numerous breakout sessions throughout a presentation. Change the guests in the breakout sessions each time to be more innovative with your meeting engagement ideas. It helps your audience to interact more effectively.
7. Make communication more efficient.
Allow attendees and organisers to communicate in real-time. Indeed, your guests will have a slew of questions for you. Encourage your target audience to create online meetups and discuss common interests with other like-minded people.
In the conference app, attendees may communicate directly with the organisers. Attendees, for example, can offer suggestions regarding the event or other concerns there.
8. Offer sponsorships for the virtual event
Hybrid and virtual events, like in-person events, provide a plethora of sponsorship options. Sponsored directories, sessions, networking events, product brochures, premium listings, chat lobbies, demos, posts, placements, pages, logos, spaces, advertisements, and other features are available.
Consider how you would offer sponsorships at an in-person event when developing your virtual sponsorship package; some of those choices could still apply to your virtual events.
9. Attract audiences by including an entertainment act
Virtual or hybrid conferences do not have to be solemn. Bring in performance to entertain your audiences, such as a magician, entertainer, or musician, lighten the atmosphere.
Because virtual audiences are mostly impatient, delivering entertaining and engaging content helps them take a psychological “breather” and relax. When your scheduled programming resumes, they will be sharper and more interested.
Attendees can be able to strike up a chat about their common experiences thanks to the entertainment.
10. Deliver Live Streaming as well as On-Demand Presentations
Creating a structured framework loaded with live presenters and webinars gives your event a vibrant and compelling atmosphere, boosting audience involvement.
However, you should also include on-demand material in your hybrid or virtual event for your audience to peruse.
Attendees cannot see or attend all the presentations. Their routines or attention spans may not always allow it. By including on-demand information, you enable participants to study at their own speed and get the most out of your event.
11. Get feedback
Receiving feedback from participants is similar to receiving free business advice from the individuals who matter the most: your clientele. Reap the benefits of your visitors’ fresh perspectives by sending them a survey immediately after your event concludes.