
What Is a Virtual Event?
What Are the Benefits of Hosting Virtual Event?
- Virtual events allow individuals or companies to reach a wide range of audience
- Travel is not an issue with virtual events
- Easily record important information, like people’s names, titles, etc
- Save a huge chunk of money
- Virtual events are measurable. Companies can get amazing insights on which was their popular event and how many attended
- Easy to collect feedback via real-time polls or surveys
What Are the Types of Virtual Events?
Webinars
They last from 45 to 80 minutes, make use of video conferencing tools and can also include internal and external trainingVirtual conferences
Virtual conferences are also built around agenda such as keynotes, sessions, breakouts and more. It can also have community engagement toolsInternal hybrid events
This is a company-wide event, training, department meetings, and more for organizations that are span across countriesExternal hybrid events
These types of events are held for people who are outside of the organization
Should You Make your Virtual Event Free or Paid?
- How beneficial is the content?
- What is the demand for the content?
- If the content is offered in a physical location, will the audience pay to attend?
- Which is more important? – Attendees or revenue?
- Even though you have generated revenue, will it be okay if you have fewer attendees?
- Do you think paid events will eliminate unqualified leads?
How to Host a Virtual Event? (including tools that will help you)
1. Social Livestream
2. Webinar
3. Conferences and Networking
What Are Some Tips to Host a Successful Virtual Event in 2020?
1. Create a Plan
Whether big or small, every event must have a strategy. Before hosting an event, you must figure out the kind of experience you want to deliver, will access be free or paid, event promotional activities, duration of the event, access to the event after it’s over etc. By figuring out answers to these questions, you will be able to create a game plan.
Apart from these, decide the type of virtual event you want to host – how-to’s, tutorials, classes, training, courses, ask me anything interviews or behind-the-scenes tours.
2. Spruce-up Your Event Website
3. Select the Appropriate Time
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Miami Book Fair (@miamibookfair) on Apr 21, 2020 at 6:05pm PDT
4. Promote the Virtual Event
Establish the key selling point of your event – it could be an industry expert speaker presence, skill-sharing session etc. Next, share the event details via email and social media. If you plan to run ads to promote your event, choose the right format. For example, LinkedIn’s InMail ads are a great way to send invitations.
Leverage social media for adding a countdown in Instagram stories, or creating a Facebook event. Always make sure that your virtual event marketing includes who, what, where and how. Also, registration will spike if you start promoting 2-3 weeks before the event. Once the event is over, you can use the video for after promotion too.
5. Prepare for Possible Tech Troubles
6. Create Professional Designs
What Are Some Examples of Virtual Events Hosted by Businesses?
Our tour continues! Today we dive into the bright and vivid paintings that Vincent made in Paris: https://t.co/Yz3FpjxphC Which is your favourite artwork from this part of the museum? #museumathome pic.twitter.com/k8b79qraCX
— Van Gogh Museum (@vangoghmuseum) March 24, 2020
Key Takeaways on Hosting Your Own Virtual Event
- Virtual events capture the essence of in-person events in many ways. Try to provide networking opportunities for people attending the event, introduce great speakers and personalize the experience
- Make sure to record the session. You can either sell it or use it to better promote your company
- You needn’t take the entire workload of hosting the virtual event by yourself. You can partner with online marketing company like ColorWhistle to split the workload
- Plan your virtual event well in advance and familiarize yourself with tools and marketing strategies to make your online get-together a success
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About the Author - Anjana
Anjana is a full-time Copywriter at ColorWhistle managing content-related projects. She writes about website technologies, digital marketing, and industries such as travel. Plus, she has an unhealthy addiction towards online marketing, watching crime shows, and chocolates.
Great Blog and good Information