The benefits of virtual events and the enhanced engagement with members means that even after in-person events return, virtual will have a place. Whether it will be hybrid events that offer attendees the option to attend in-person or virtually or some meetings that remain virtual, there are six best practices outlined in the article “6 Best Practices that will Shape the Future of Virtual Events.”
- Provide a human experience in the virtual world Attendees want some simulation of the interaction, communication, and engagement that they experience in person. Ideas to avoid tedious, robotic events include breaking up a day-long event into smaller sessions available over a span of weeks and using smaller panels for sessions so speakers have more time to engage with each other and offer more in-depth answers.
- Keep an eye on technology Great content is expected but so is a meeting platform that remains functional throughout the entire conference. Leverage multiple solutions that offer different ways to engage an audience, and choose platforms to provide the function for which they excel. There are few, if any, platforms that excel at every aspect of a conference.
- Focus on production quality Don’t waste attendees time with sub-standard content or engagement. Create interesting topics, involve top-notch speakers, and offer ways to interact. Even virtual events should provide an exceptional experience.
- Improvise ways to connect Virtual event attendees can’t sit down with a cup of coffee to talk to other attendees, but event organizers can provide 1:1 meetings, breakout rooms, interactive speaker sessions, and fun-focused activities.
- Engage with audience before, during, and after the event Just as you would communicate often before an in-person event to provide information and during and after the event to gather feedback, do the same with a virtual event. Follow-up communication provides a way to improve the next event, engage the attendee, and promote upcoming events.
- Evolve with your metrics A virtual event’s success can be measured by more than just the number of attendees. Focusing on specific outcomes, such as increased brand awareness, new memberships, and improved engagement in association communities, are more rewarding than the number of seats filled.
The full article can be found here.