How to Create a Successful Virtual or Hybrid Event

In the age of social distancing, many event planners are scrambling to figure out how to transition their in-person events to a virtual or hybrid format. But just because your event is taking place online doesn’t mean it has to be any less awesome! With a little creativity and planning, you can still create an engaging and successful virtual or hybrid event. Here’s how:

Planning Your Event

The first step in planning a successful virtual or hybrid event is to determine your goals and objectives. What do you want your attendees to walk away from the event with? Once you know your goals, you can start planning the content and structure of your event.

If you’re planning a virtual event, you’ll need to choose a platform that will allow you to deliver your content in an engaging way. There are many great options out there, so take some time to research what will work best for your needs. You’ll also need to decide whether you want your virtual event to be live or recorded. Live events have the advantage of being more interactive, but recorded events can be easier to produce and don’t require attendees to be available at a specific time.

For hybrid events, you’ll need to decide how you want to use the in-person and online components to complement each other. Will attendees be able to participate in both the live and online portions of the event? Or will they have the option to choose one or the other?

Creating Engaging Content

Once you’ve got the logistics sorted out, it’s time to start working on your content. Keep your goals and objectives in mind as you develop your content strategy. What topics will best help you achieve your goals? How can you make sure your content is engaging and interactive?

There are a variety of ways to make sure your content is engaging, regardless of whether you’re hosting a virtual, hybrid, or in-person event. If you’re hosting a virtual event, consider using video conferencing software such as Zoom, Google Meet or WebEx so attendees can see each other’s faces and body language. You can also use chat features during presentations to allow attendees to ask questions and engage with the speaker in real time.

For hybrid events, use technology to bridge the gap between the in-person and online components. For example, if you’re holding an in-person panel discussion, provide a live stream of the panel for online attendees. You can also use polling and Q&A features so that everyone can participate regardless of whether they’re in person or online.

No matter what type of event you’re planning, make sure that your content is relevant and engaging. If your attendees aren’t getting value from your event, they won’t bother showing up –virtual or otherwise!

Creating a successful virtual or hybrid event takes careful planning and execution. But by keeping your goals in mind and developing creative and interactive content, you can ensure that your event is engaging and enjoyable for all who attend – no matter where they’re viewing from!