Even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the business world to rely on online meetings, large corporations were already seeing the value in moving major events online. Apple's decision to stage their 2019 iPhone unveil paid off, with over 1.8 million viewers tuning in.
ContentsUnderstand your audience and presentersHave a clear plan for your contentEncourage engagementKeep it up to dateHost your most important company events onlineSo whether it's a routine meeting or a major product unveiling, hosting events online will be an integral part of how we run our day-to-day business.
And as we enter this brave new world, here are some tips to make sure all your virtual events can have the maximum impact.
Knowing your audience would be an important principle in any presentation framework. However, moving things online introduces new considerations that you'll want to take into account.
You may recall that when the lockdowns were first instituted last year, many people struggled to make the transition to an online-only infrastructure. This is the kind of problem you want to plan for.
Those of us more used to face-to-face interaction might be reluctant to adapt. And even if they want to, you'll need to plan for their level of technical knowledge when determining the programs and equipment you'll use for your events.
Holding the attention of an audience would be important in all circumstances. But the fact that you are separated by screens compounds the problem. If you can't captivate your audience, they can quite easily minimize your presentation and click into the background.
This makes it all the more important to have a plan for your presentation, what you want to accomplish with it and how you are going to get there. Keep it direct and to the point.
This is perhaps the most important aspect of planning an online event.
It is not enough to be concise. You need to engage with your audience and create a situation where they want to engage with you in kind.
There are many ways to do this, be it surveys, quizzes, sweepstakes and prizes, etc. Your only limit here is your imagination.
The 2020 pandemic is a great example of how quickly everything can change. And staying competitive always means keeping abreast of the changing landscape.
It is therefore incumbent on you to always educate yourself. A great way to start is to take a look at these trends in the way digital and hybrid events are run right now.
If you take the right approach, hosting major events online can be a boon for your business. This can save time and resources for everyone involved, while allowing you to reach a wider audience than would otherwise be possible.
But that's just one aspect of what the ever-changing business landscape will look like.
To make sure you're always on the cutting edge, be sure to browse our company blog now.
