25 Jan Keynotes for virtual events to keep in mind
the value of face-to-face live events will always be important, but there are times when going virtual is a crucial part of your event program. hosting a virtual event requires the same care and attention as an in-person event and in both cases, you need to craft an event strategy.
virtual events are made of many of the same elements as any other kind of event, but fundamentally rely on technology. a virtual event is built around content, attendee engagement, and data. video production quality and connectivity will be important, as well as a registration site. but there’s more to virtual event technology than these tools, virtual events benefit from the use of an entire virtual online event platform that helps you promote, execute, and manage your event.
here are some key tips to keep in mind when planning your virtual event and choosing your virtual event platform:
clear objectives:
clearly outline the purpose of your virtual event. determine the goals, whether they are educational, promotional, networking, or a combination of these.
identify your target audience and understand their preferences, time zones, and technological capabilities. tailor the event to meet their needs and expectations.
establish a budget:
define a budget that covers technology costs, speaker fees, marketing, and other related expenses. virtual events can be cost-effective, but it’s essential to plan and allocate resources wisely.
engaging content:
create compelling and relevant content that resonates with your audience. choose knowledgeable and engaging speakers who can deliver content effectively in a virtual format
plan a diverse and engaging agenda with a mix of presentations, panels, q&a sessions, and interactive elements. consider the attention span of virtual participants and incorporate breaks.
maintain a professional image through consistent branding.
user-friendly technology:
choose a reliable and user-friendly virtual event platform that suits your specific event type. consider features like chat, q&a, breakout rooms, and networking capabilities
test the technology beforehand to ensure a seamless experience for attendees. conduct thorough testing including all interactive features.
interactive elements:
incorporate audience interaction through polls, q&a sessions, and chat features. bring each session to life by allowing delegates to chat together during the session, ask questions to the speakers and feedback at any time.
encourage networking opportunities through virtual breakout rooms. dedicated networking rooms give attendees intuitive and engaging spaces to effortlessly join video conversations with other attendees and watch event live streams as small groups together once again.
networking rooms can be focused by topic, industry, attendee group, or any other way that helps your attendees connect with the right people, transforming the experience of attending a virtual conference, member meetings or awards ceremony.
virtual engagement tactics:
leverage gamification to keep participants engaged. you can create custom challenges to encourage desired audience activities in a fun and engaging way.
realtime activation, voting and results means speakers can run live polls, display voting percentages on dedicated screens to immerse the audience in the session
speaker preparation:
ensure speakers are familiar with the virtual platform and its features. we always recommend tech rehearsals with all speakers to ensure any troubleshooting is complete.
security & accessibility:
implement security measures to protect the virtual event from potential disruptions. use password protection and other authentication methods as needed.
ensure your virtual event is accessible to participants with different needs. provide technical support for both participants and speakers. conduct pre-event tech checks to address any issues in advance. include clear instructions for accessing the virtual platform.
monitor and engage during the event:
seven events will always have a team dedicated to monitoring the event in real-time. address technical issues promptly and engage with participants through chat, q&a sessions, and social media.
have contingency plans and be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances and make real-time adjustments if necessary
post-event engagement, feedback and analytics
gather feedback from participants to assess the success of the event. use surveys and analytics to understand what worked well and areas for improvement.
send post-event communications thanking participants and providing access to recorded sessions, presentation materials, and additional resources.
after the event, conduct a thorough evaluation to assess the overall success and areas for improvement. use insights gained to refine your strategy for future virtual events.
by focusing on these keynotes, you can enhance the overall experience for both organisers and participants in virtual events.
sevenevents have sourced an integrated event application which creates an authentic event experience for attendees in a web-based platform and phone application. we have teamed up with a leading event software company to provide a robust virtual and hybrid event solution.
If you are ready to start planning your next virtual event, get in touch today at info@sevenevents.co.uk or call us on 020 7659 4430.