Online event tipsThe coronavirus has caused many industries to explore new ways to bring people together and this includes those in our events sector.
Online or ‘virtual’ events and conferences are an answer to traditional face to face events or conferences. With an online event you can bring together expert speakers, clients and customers and host presentations or sessions that attendees can watch and participate in just like in the real world. Here are some tips when creating your online event. |
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Be unique
The marketing principles of real world events apply to online events as well. So you need to try and stand out with your online event. Do something that hasn't been done before, create a unique theme or create a different format for your online event.
Online offers unique experiences
Being online gives you lots of extra products and bonus experiences you can offer as part of your online event experience. Consider things like offering participants audio files or transcripts of all the sessions or access to ‘private or VIP’ online forums during the events.
Content is king
More than ever the “content” of your offer in your online event is key. Demonstrating you are still providing engaging sessions, expert advice and a quality setting is critical to attracting attendees.
Live Q&A sessions
Try to replicate the “live” and unpredictable nature of any regular face to face event online. A great way to do this is by building in live Q&A sessions with speakers and guests . This moves your online sessions away from rehearsed or scripted training to something more dynamic and interesting for participants. Polls and surveys are another great way to promote interactivity.
Still encourage networking
Networking is one of the greatest appeals of attending events. An online event can still promote ways to network. Consider ideas such as adding virtual chat rooms, forum posting or virtual exhibitor halls.
Leverage your guest speaker’s network for marketing
Once you have locked in guest speakers, ask if they can share information about your online event with their social media channels and network. This is a win-win as they are promoting themselves as an expert whilst at the same time promoting the event. If these people are engaging with online content from your speaker - they may be interested in an online virtual event too.
Automate planning stages of your event where you can
Consider ways to automate aspects of hosting your event where ever you can. This could include pre-scheduling social media posts in advance, automating the online ticketing and establishing an automatic and regular newsletter to go to registered attendees leading up to the event.
Technology – find an all-in-one solution
There are specialist online or virtual event software providers that bring together all the tools needed to establish and run an online event. This can save you a lot of time piecing together different tools. Google ‘online event software’ or ‘virtual event software’ for specialist providers of online events. Or you may want to explore Hopin.to, ON24.com or inxpo.com.
The marketing principles of real world events apply to online events as well. So you need to try and stand out with your online event. Do something that hasn't been done before, create a unique theme or create a different format for your online event.
Online offers unique experiences
Being online gives you lots of extra products and bonus experiences you can offer as part of your online event experience. Consider things like offering participants audio files or transcripts of all the sessions or access to ‘private or VIP’ online forums during the events.
Content is king
More than ever the “content” of your offer in your online event is key. Demonstrating you are still providing engaging sessions, expert advice and a quality setting is critical to attracting attendees.
Live Q&A sessions
Try to replicate the “live” and unpredictable nature of any regular face to face event online. A great way to do this is by building in live Q&A sessions with speakers and guests . This moves your online sessions away from rehearsed or scripted training to something more dynamic and interesting for participants. Polls and surveys are another great way to promote interactivity.
Still encourage networking
Networking is one of the greatest appeals of attending events. An online event can still promote ways to network. Consider ideas such as adding virtual chat rooms, forum posting or virtual exhibitor halls.
Leverage your guest speaker’s network for marketing
Once you have locked in guest speakers, ask if they can share information about your online event with their social media channels and network. This is a win-win as they are promoting themselves as an expert whilst at the same time promoting the event. If these people are engaging with online content from your speaker - they may be interested in an online virtual event too.
Automate planning stages of your event where you can
Consider ways to automate aspects of hosting your event where ever you can. This could include pre-scheduling social media posts in advance, automating the online ticketing and establishing an automatic and regular newsletter to go to registered attendees leading up to the event.
Technology – find an all-in-one solution
There are specialist online or virtual event software providers that bring together all the tools needed to establish and run an online event. This can save you a lot of time piecing together different tools. Google ‘online event software’ or ‘virtual event software’ for specialist providers of online events. Or you may want to explore Hopin.to, ON24.com or inxpo.com.