Your organization made the quick switch to virtual events a few years back. You may have been too quick to make your digital events a success, and cut corners to ensure that guests could attend.
Research has shown that these events will continue to be a problem in the future. The article sums it up well: “Temporary convenience solutions that emerged as pandemic remedies are likely to stay around for the long-term.”
It’s worth reviewing the key elements of virtual events to ensure that you are building on a solid foundation. We’ll be covering the following aspects of virtual events in this guide:
Exhibitor ExperienceExhibitor ContentSessionsExhibitor Engagement Strategies
We’ll be discussing all aspects and then we’ll discuss tips and strategies to help you execute that part of your next event. Remember that you can always hire an eLearning consultant who specializes on virtual events to help bring your strategies to life.
Let’s get started.
Events and Content Sessions
Your event’s content, divided into event sessions, is what makes it unique. Members attend your event primarily to take part in the sessions. They can learn new information and network with other peers through these sessions.
Content is the foundation of any event. It’s also the most important factor to consider when planning your virtual event content strategy. These are some of the key aspects to consider when reviewing your virtual event strategy.
Presenting content to guests: There are many ways to present information to them. Pre-record speakers and keynote sessions, then broadcast them during the event. You could also broadcast live sessions, where speakers can give their talks to an audience. This is similar to what would happen at an in-person event. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. Pre-recording takes some of the pressure off the event, but it can prove more difficult to coordinate speakers with the event organizers in advance. Event Layout: How the content is organized. Traditional layouts would look like a webinar, with one speaker and a 2-dimensional PowerPoint. Combination layouts could include this webinar-style presentation with one speaker and a two-dimensional PowerPoint. The longer 60-minute sessions are best for panel discussions or in-depth presentations. You can have 45 minutes worth of content and 15 minutes for Q&A. A 30-minute session of moderate length is ideal with 20 to 25 minutes worth of content and a quick 5- to 10-minute Q&A. Finally, 15-minute sessions are great for customer stories, entertainment segments and other options that don’t require you to answer questions. This is an example schedule.
You can add value to your content over time. You can record each session and reuse it later. It can be shared with event registrants that missed one or more sessions, sold on-demand to members of the organization who were unable, or used as part your content marketing strategy.
The content of your event will determine how you structure it. For events that are centered around keynote speakers or networking opportunities, for instance, you might want to include longer sessions and live interaction.
Your virtual experience software may also limit the content and ways you can share it. Make sure your technology supports the content you wish to share.
Exhibitor Experience
Events can generate revenue for your company, but it’s not limited to the sale of event tickets. Event exhibitors and sponsors are valuable revenue generators for your organization, so make sure you provide an enjoyable experience for them.
There are two key aspects to consider when designing the sponsorship experience: what types of sponsorship opportunities will you offer and how much you will price them.
Consider the following options when considering sponsorship opportunities:
Live Chat: Sponsors can create a virtual poster that showcases their brand. Event guests can scroll through the posters to find out which companies are sponsoring them. Sponsors can be viewed by event guests as they scroll through the posters to see which companies sponsored the event. Sponsors could be allowed to display their logo in your pre-event outreach such as email and social media.
Start creating sponsorship packages by choosing the right opportunities that align with your event.
Tiered sponsorship packages can be created. For example, a Gold package may offer the highest or most valuable opportunities. A Silver package offers slightly more opportunities. A Bronze package provides basic sponsorship perks. To increase demand, you can limit the number of tiers that you offer. It will be difficult to highlight the benefits of each tier if every sponsor can purchase the “Gold” package.
ttendee Engagement Strategy
Your event guests have been attending virtual events almost three years. Virtual events are popular because of their increased accessibility and ease of use. However, many people can lose focus when looking at a computer screen.
For event guests who have lost their focus, it is crucial to develop strategies for attendingee engagement. Strategies such as the following are examples:
Live Chat: Allow guests to interact with event organizers and presenters during the event. You can ask questions and get answers during the sessions. This encourages guests to stay engaged for the entire event, and receive answers. Discussion boards: Create discussion boards that are focused on particular topics or aspects of your event. If guests find sessions valuable, they can connect with others who share their interests.
To allow guests to take a break from their computers, you might consider adding short breaks to the event. Event attendees will be more focused if they schedule breaks to take a break.
Although virtual events were first introduced a few years back, it is clear that they will continue to be popular. To ensure that you are able to host this type of event, it is worth reviewing the foundations of your events.
You will be able to address content, event sessions, exhibitor experience, and attendees engagement. This will allow you to cover all the important aspects that make an event a success. You are welcome!
Amber Winter is Director of Sales & Market at Web Courseworks. She is committed to helping association executives realize their potential and transform them into high-performing revenue generators. Talented Learning named Amber one of Madison’s 40 Under 40. She was also the number one LMS salesperson.
Marketing Insider Group’s first article, Anatomy of a Virtual Event: Key Factors to Take into Account appeared first on Marketing Insider Group.
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By: Guest Author
Title: Anatomy of a Virtual Event: Key Factors to Consider
Sourced From: marketinginsidergroup.com/content-marketing/anatomy-of-a-virtual-event-key-factors-to-consider/
Published Date: Tue, 03 May 2022 12:30:37 +0000
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https://onlinemarketingagencies.net/?p=4181
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