Tips on Hosting the Most Engaging Online Events in 2022

Events provide some of the most valuable publicity and
networking opportunities to a business. So, when the pandemic put a hold on
everything in person, wondering how the plan you had drawn out for your
business will be affected was more than normal. The solution came in the form
of online events, though, not everyone was immediately convinced that these
will bring equally notable results as regular, face-to-face gatherings.
Technology has come a long way, though, and despite having been popularized due
to necessity, a well-executed virtual event provides significant benefits that
businesses will keep taking advantage of post-pandemic as well. The keyword
here is, nevertheless, “well-executed.”
Since virtually everything has migrated into the online
world, more and more are experiencing what is called “Zoom fatigue.” So,
sitting in front of a screen is not exactly people’s idea of fun at this point.
What this means for you and your event is that keeping people’s attention is
going to be more challenging. This does not mean that virtual events stand no
chance at being successful; it just means that you will need to put extra
forethought into the organization process. Here are a few tips that will help
you host the most engaging online events in the coming year.
Promote your event
In order to have the best chances of hosting an engaging,
successful event, you will need to generate ample interest in it in the first
place. So, your event planning should start all the way from researching your
target audience and coming up with a concept that will draw them in. You need
to know their demographics, the topics they are interested in, and how they
usually interact with content, and tailor your plan to them. Next, you will
need to market your event on the appropriate platforms. Don’t leave this to the
last minute. You need to have a dedicated page for your event well in advance,
promote it on various social media sites, notify your partners and everyone on your
mailing list, and even produce content pertaining to the topic of your event in
the months and weeks leading up to it.
Make it interactive
One of the reasons why events work so effectively is that
they are so interactive. Sitting in front of a screen, however, audience
members can easily become passive participants. You want to keep them actively
involved throughout the event so that they don’t fall asleep. Luckily, there
are numerous ways to do this. Implement a group chat so that attendees can get
warmed up even before the main event starts streaming. You can also create a
number of different rooms for various topics. Don’t forget to include 1:1
chatting functions as well so that people have the option to make meaningful
connections. If networking is the main goal, adding virtual business card
exchange is a fantastic idea. Additionally, allow viewers to let their voice be
heard by dedicating some sections of your event to questions and comments.
Keep engagement high
Chat and comments will naturally boost engagement, but
that’s not all there is to it. Online event platforms offer so many more
interesting tools to keep everyone glued to their screens. Firstly, you can
consider creating virtual booths. Much like real booths, these will allow
attendees to access digital content and talk to the hosts this way. Secondly,
adding game-like
features attendees can interact with during the event will also boost their
experience while getting them more actively involved. Implement live polls,
create quizzes and surveys, showcase live leaderboards so that attendees get
more competitive in their participation. Depending on the goal of your event,
even creating a game can be a good idea (think: a virtual scavenger hunt.)
Hire event planners
No matter your plans, the situation can change overnight.
For instance, Australia had just lifted some restrictions when the new strain forced
the hospitality sector to shift back into first gear once again in some states.
Having to quickly transition your event from in-person to online is a
formidable task where professional assistance can make a world of difference. If
you find yourself in this situation, hiring experienced
event planners from Sydney will ensure the highest quality event possible. In
addition, it’s also a great way to get an insight into how well your efforts
actually performed: post-event reports will allow you to compare your
performance with previous events, giving you an accurate picture of just how
engaging your event was. Make sure you find event planners who are ready to
tailor their solutions to your needs.
Use the right platform
Finally, there is nothing worse than running into tech
issues during an online event. It can not only ruin the experience for your
entire audience and break their engagement and focus, but it will also
completely ruin your image and credibility as a business. So, needless to say,
picking the right platform for your event and placing great emphasis on testing
and rehearsing is paramount. If you decide to work with an event management
agency, this will probably be a non-issue, since a reputable business will have
its own reliable tech solutions you get access to. If you are doing it on your
own, though, finding the right platform will take some time. Besides being
stable, it is also important that the platform is intuitive and won’t confuse your
viewers in any way, especially if you are to implement some of the
aforementioned interactive extras.
Online events are a fantastically lucrative way to raise
awareness of your brand, present a new product, teach, or even just network. Not
only do they allow you to engage a much wider audience regardless of their
geographical location, but a virtual event is also more flexible, in addition
to saving you time and money in the planning process. Even after restrictions
on in-person events are lifted, it is likely that online events will keep going
strong, at least in the form of hybrid events. However, keeping engagement
levels consistently high throughout the event will undoubtedly require some
creativity. Hopefully, the aforementioned tips will help you out.
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