Tips on Hosting the Most Engaging Online Events in 2022

by Ronald Wolf Business Consultant

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.