As we enter another week of social-distancing here in the United States, we hope everyone is staying safe, staying healthy, and staying home as we all do our part to flatten the curve of Covid 19. This pandemic has impacted the events industry as much, if not more, than any other industry around the globe - with events being delayed or cancelled outright for the foreseeable future.
But events professionals are, by their nature, tenacious and always working to find a solution, so while there are currently no conferences or face-to-face meetings of any kind, many brands are going virtual to stay connected with their customers. And while virtual event experiences are a great way to engage with your audience - we know that shifting your mindset, presentations and content to an entirely new medium can feel like a daunting undertaking.
So to help brands adapt to the ‘new normal’ as seamlessly as possible, we’re outlining the items that are most important to consider when bringing your first virtual event to life. And they start with a simple mantra:
Don’t Panic: Virtual & In-person Events Aren’t All That Different
It’s true! While virtual events are more tech-forward than an in-person live event, they share many of the same production considerations. Below are the 3 most important elements to determine when creating your virtual event.
1. The Venue: The place where your end user will go to engage in the experience.
For an in-person event, this might be a ballroom or a conference center. For a virtual event, your ‘venue’ is the software platform you select to host your virtual experience: from Facebook Live to Intrado to your own website, there are a lot of powerful options to choose from.
The most important things to consider when selecting your venue? The user experience. The platform should be easy for your audience to find, access,and engage with.
2. The Show Flow: Your step-by-step production outline that governs all aspects of the event experience.
Just as you would for an in-person conference, the development of a Show Flow is a critical component of your virtual event. This document will give all of the stakeholders involved in the production like speakers, panelists, moderators, and sponsors, a clear understanding of what is taking place and when.
Your show flow will include what is being presented, who is speaking, and what content should be displayed. Any good production partner will collaborate directly with your team to build a show flow that is well paced, realistic to produce, and provides an engaging event experience.
3. The Creative: The presentations, graphics, videos, and interactive experiences your organization is planning to deliver to your virtual audience.
Will the content display correctly on the devices your audience is likely using? Can it hold their attention throughout the production? These are just some of the questions to ask when creating content for your virtual event. Duration and pacing are so important in the virtual space, because when users are tuning in from their computer, distraction is just a click away.
And just like at a live event, you’ll have the option to give your audience the power of interactivity - with things like social media integration, polling, and Q&A. Giving consideration to what types of interactivity will be most valuable to audience members and presenters alike - and when they should be available - is a great way to ensure your audience can feel like their part of the action, without ever risking distraction.
Ready to get started building your Virtual Event? Get the experts! Schedule your free Virtual Event Consultation today:
