Due to the pandemic, the year 2020 became an evolutionary moment for video. It now connects us all on a whole new level. It promotes the power of communication, education, entertainment, and of course, work collaboration.
From every corner of the globe, people have begun to witness and be a part of the rapid shift to a digital-first approach, which now, we must all learn to embrace. Sure, the pandemic drowned the world in negativity, but for some within the business world, it’s provided many positive benefits that surround digital transformation.
A big part of that digital transformation revolved around virtual events. But what exactly are virtual events? And what does the future hold for them? Let’s dive in!
It’s true, businesses are becoming more familiar with virtual events. However, there still seems to be a cloud surrounding what the future holds for the virtual event when we return to a new kind of normality in the months to come.
Event planners have quickly moved their physical events to the virtual platform and have been able to host global conferences, trade shows, product launches, or recruitment fairs from the comfort of their home or office, using only a laptop or mobile phone, and an internet connection.
Yes, we are entering a new era of tech, where event planners have now become global event planners as well as digital ninjas and content producers.
Creating amazing presentations to host on your virtual platform plays an enormous part in the potential success of your event.
While it is important to have a virtual event strategy, a content strategy is equally important, and how you get that content across to your audience is just as important.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the different types of virtual events around and how content plays a part.
1. Virtual Conferences
Virtual event conferences are produced and revolve around a live, complex agenda. This can include sessions, breakouts, and keynotes. When hosting a virtual conference, you’re able to include multi-session content, and can even involve community engagement tools. Virtual conferences allow all of your attendees to view keynotes in real-time, build their own agenda from relevant, on-demand content, and great fun can be had through interaction with other attendees.
Content can either be live-streamed or pre-recorded. Many companies have opted for pre-recording their keynote presentations to avoid any technical glitches on the live day but opt for their presenters to be available for live Q&A after their presentation, which has proved extremely successful (and less stressful for the event planner too!).
2. Hybrid Events
Everyone looks forward to returning to a physical event, whether hosting one or attending one but we will see a shift as we move forward. The hybrid event provides a greater reach at each and every event.
Hybrid events require higher levels of video production so that both physical and virtual attendees reap the rewards of relevant content. If you’re running an event that the attendees are unable to travel to, then a hybrid event is the perfect solution. It may seem challenging to provide the exact same value, however, when done correctly, it can be a truly enjoyable experience for all involved.
While your main speaker launches his engaging keynote at your live event, you could be launching pre-recorded content at your virtual event at the same time, or even stream the keynote live.
3. Internal Virtual Events
Internal virtual events are usually used for sales kick-offs, HR training, shareholder updates, company-wide events, and departmental meetings. For worldwide organizations, internal hybrid events are utilized to spread messages to the entire company when employees can’t all be in the same place. Sure, it would be ideal to fly out every employee to the headquarters of your company, however, it would be incredibly costly. In this case, the best option is definitely the virtual events.
4. Webinars and Panel Discussions
When an organization hosts virtual event webinars, they open themselves up to the world as one or more speakers allow people to join and listen to the content they produce. By doing this, they’re able to gain profit through charging attendees to join, or, they’re able to offer it free of charge in order to gain even more exposure. Throughout a webinar, organizations typically use video virtual conferencing tools that promote Q&A, and they have the chance to present live or through a pre-recorded video.
You may opt to pre-record your panel discussion to avoid any technical or bandwidth issues with your panelists. The Q&A session for the audience could be presented live at the end of the recording, thus ensuring a slick and professional event.
You can already see why virtual events have made their mark so quickly. Due to the wide range of benefits they provide to businesses globally, as well as the environment, they will continue to be part of the marketing strategy after this global crisis decides to pass. With thoughtful planning and a well-structured, strategic approach, businesses around the world can create deeply engaging and rewarding virtual events.
Customers, potential customers, and even internal employees often lookout for opportunities where they’re able to network and have fun with their peers. With a virtual events strategy, you’re able to provide all with those experiences whilst reducing costs, downtime, and lost productivity. You can expand your target audience, make your events accessible to more people, broaden your reach, and shape the future of virtual events.
Interested in learning how we can help you create a successful event by producing great content? Get in touch today to speak with the experts and find out how we can help take your business to the next level.
