Do’s and Don’ts of an Online Event
As customers and audiences are increasingly dependent on smartphones and digital devices, marketers are trying to connect the physical and online worlds to optimize interaction and create unique moments. Virtual and hybrid events deliver a perfect solution by combining the digital engagement people crave with the best of brand experience. Beyond effective marketing, an excellent way to efficiently reach a global audience and further monetize an event is, going virtual.
Objective of organizing an event
Understanding the pulse of the audience/ identifying the trend
The most difficult part of organizing an online event is to find the pulse of an audience. Yes, we do know it’s right there. We can sense it in their nods, applauses, hear it in their echoing exclamations, and feel it when they are at the edge of their seats and when they lean forward. Online events should thus resonate with the audiences and are of high importance when it comes to understanding the pulse of an audience.
Choosing the right speakers/ domain experts
When the script is hitting the right cords and when everything is going right, the speaker rarely considers resonating with the audience. Speakers or domain experts need to structure their speeches and scripts so that audiences care about the message they are trying to convey and at the same time find it valuable and worthwhile. A right cord when hit appropriately with the audiences, will initiate a knowledge sharing chain.
Do’s of on Online event
Choosing the right platform
Virtual events can range from limited online experience of live-streaming a presentation to hybrid events which assist in merging the engagement of remote participants with the onsite audience. All virtual event providers are not built the same. Hence finding a right platform which can deliver your brand’s vision and goals is highly important.
Today, there are an array of platforms to organize or host a virtual event:
- Zoom
- Airmeet
- Skype
- Facebook Live
- YouTube Livestream
- Microsoft Teams
Some of these virtual platforms have combined the formal and informal aspects and built unique product offerings. Airmeet is such a platform which provides ‘Social Lounge’, a place for attendees to interact with each other at virtual tables.
Doing enough publicity of an event
Marketing an event is of the utmost importance, so as to pool in an audience which actually cares about the topic at hand. Event organizers are turning towards eye catching advertisements on social media. Social stories are also a great platform to share visuals of the event with special effects, filters and stickers. These special effects and stickers helps organizers to conduct polls, and take questions.
Proactively engaging the audience
A seamless way of getting the audience to engage with organizations and brands, is a two-way conversation. Hence it is important to allow the involvement of audience in the form of quizzes or online Q&A.
Educating participants on various features of the platform
Providing participants or attendees with the knowledge to utilize the virtual platform effectively goes a long way in creating engaging virtual event sessions in the future. Another important aspect is to educate the participants on how to use different features of a platform for their own benefit and to network with remotely located colleagues.
Don’ts of on Online event
Non-Punctual
Not being punctual is a sign of disrespect towards the audience or colleagues. In case of a speaker/expert the audience might grow impatient and lose interest.
Points to remember for being punctual:
- It helps to strengthen integrity
- Build self-confidence, and
- Assure the audience that you are at your best
Unclear/ambiguity in communication
Ambiguous or unclear communication might divert the audience from the intended purpose. Hence it is highly important that the speaker conveys the message in a crisp and clear manner.
Things to avoid while communicating with an audience:
- Don’t make the assumption that the audience synchronizes with your interest in the subject
- Don’t make the assumption that the audience will get your underlying thoughts on a subject
- Don’t hesitate to make informed changes when presented with a different point of view or a new information
Not testing the platform for different use cases
Not all platforms available in the market will be in line with an organization’s goals and vision. Hence, it is important for organizations to test the platform for different use cases and check its viability.
