3 Ways to Make Your Virtual Event Stand Out from the Crowd
We’ve all had to adapt and change the way we do things over the past two years, and the events industry is no exception. Virtual events have been a mainstay for event organisers throughout the pandemic and, although there are currently no restrictions on in-person events, it looks like they’ll be here to stay.
Hosting a hybrid or virtual event gives you ultimate flexibility in uncertain times. You don’t have to worry about cancelling last-minute if restrictions change, and it’s the ideal option if your audience are nervous about travelling to multiple venues. Come rain or shine, your event can still go ahead, and you’ll be able to reach more people than you ever could in person.
But how do you stand out from the virtual crowd when you’re fighting for digital space not only with organisers across the UK but the world? Read on to find out.
Make it personal
It’s the little things that make an event or conference special; a goodie bag of freebies, complimentary tea and biscuits, an all-you-can-eat buffet…
Great events are all about the perks and your online event should be no exception. Virtual event and conference packs are a great way to make your guests feel extra special, whilst ensuring they receive the same great experience they would in real life. And the best bit is that they can be delivered straight to your delegates’ doors.
You can make your next online social event pop with wine and nibbles, energise your meeting with a healthy snack letterbox gift or get everyone’s creative juices flowing with a hamper-full of conference essentials (think notebooks, pens, and refreshments).
Everyone loves free stuff – just make sure it’s tailored to your audience for maximum effect. Don’t forget to make your gift sustainable as well (e.g., plastic-free). Customers are more eco-conscious than ever before so it’s important to choose gifts that are not only good for them but the planet too.
You can give your pack that extra bit of zing with personalised products or branded merchandise. As well as being a nifty bit of promotion for your business, products or services, branded gifts are a great way to ensure your delegates think of you long after they log off.
Get your game on
After living our lives predominately through screens throughout the pandemic, ‘Zoom fatigue’ poses a very real challenge for event organisers when it comes to audience engagement. And with studies showing that the average adult’s attention span is less than 20 minutes in normal circumstances, it’s never been more important to find exciting ways to engage your delegates.
With gamification software or apps, you can do just that and more. They’re great for presenting your ideas in an exciting way, consolidating what delegates have learnt and, more importantly, injecting some fun into your event! There are plenty to choose from that help to deliver a truly memorable event experience that’s accessible from anywhere in the world.
You can drive delegate participation with interactive quizzes (who doesn’t love to see their name at the top of a scoreboard?) or encourage your guests to network through a series of tasks or challenges. It could be something as simple as getting everyone to share three facts about themselves or a photo of their pet.
Whatever you choose, the key is to create shared experiences that result in the sense of togetherness that usually only in-person events provide.
Use the right platform
Hosting an event online requires the same amount of planning as an in-person one. Just like how you wouldn’t meet without a venue, you shouldn’t plan your virtual event or conference without considering your platform first. A venue can make or break your event, and this is also true in the digital world.
There are so many online event platforms out there that can enhance the virtual or hybrid event experience. When it comes to finding the best one, it’s all about what you’re hosting. If you’re organising a team meeting, Teams or Zoom will suffice.
But, if you’re running a multi-sessional academic conference, you’re going to need something that does a bit more. Think technology that can deliver live streams, networking sessions, presentations and more, simultaneously.
Successful online events are the ones that mimic reality. So, if you’d normally have a hall full of posters at your conference, make sure you use a platform that can support a virtual exhibition space. Hosting a networking event? You’ll need software that allows you to create an online meeting hub where people can meet and chat.
Technology will only get you so far though; it’s what you do with it that counts. Make sure you make the most of your platform, whilst keeping it relevant to your audience. To generate a buzz around your event before it’s even begun, you could create an event website or even upload some pre-recorded content for your delegates to watch in their own time.
Not sure where to start with taking your next event or conference online? There’s no need to do it all by yourself. At Conferences & events, we’re here to help you stand out from the virtual crowd with full event management from start to finish.
With expertise in delivering all sorts of online events across a variety of platforms, we’re here to help you deliver a flawless hybrid or virtual experience every time. Wave goodbye to tech glitches and hello to online events and conferences with impact.
We can support on:
- online delegate registration
- managing abstract submissions and virtual poster sessions
- sending event packs to your delegates
- online platform management and event website creation
- all aspects of AV
and more! Get in touch with a member of the team today to find out more.
