Planning Your Digital Events
Key Things to Consider
Virtual events are device and browser-agnostic sessions that are accessed via the internet. There are three distinct stages: the promotion and registration leading up to the live session, the live session itself, and the archive where viewers can return to watch at any time. Speakers join a virtual control room to deliver the content, while participants interact using text-based interfaces. When a virtual event is completed, it becomes a valuable content asset that can be repurposed for extended reach and ROI.
This guide is designed to help you effectively plan and execute successful virtual events. Whether you’re hosting employee town halls, engaging in content marketing, or organizing investor relations meetings, this document will guide you through the essential questions to ensure your event aligns with your business goals.
Key planning questions:
- Identify Your Use Case: Start by outlining the purpose of your event. Whether it’s to engage employees, generate leads, or provide continuing education, understanding your goals will shape the planning process.
- Understand Your Audience: Consider who your target audience is, why they would join your event, and which languages or formats would best serve them. What time zones are they in, and would they prefer to view the event during or after work? This helps determine optimal timing.
- Weigh Your Options: Conference calls are ideal when you want phone-based interaction with your audience. Collaboration tools work best for peer-to-peer informal discussions, while virtual events are formal sessions where the audience is focused on the experience and content.
- Define Success: Think about the business outcomes you’re aiming for, the metrics you want to track, and what success looks like for you. Outline any specific data integration needs with your CRM, LMS, or other systems.
- Evaluate Your Current Setup: Assess your existing platforms, tools, and event history. If you need assistance managing the event, decide whether you want to handle it in-house or outsource it.
- Logistics and Preferences: Consider your preferred viewer journey, starting with how they will discover your event, the format and supporting visuals, content duration, and how accessible the event will be for viewing afterward.
- Accessibility and Security: Identify any special requirements, such as closed captioning, participation tracking for continuing education certifications, or security protocols to limit content access.
- Audience Engagement: Determine the nature of your event—whether the audience is passive and focused on content absorption or if you want them more engaged with polling, Q&A sessions, exit surveys, and calls to action at the end.
By addressing these key areas, you’ll be well-equipped to create a detailed plan that ensures your digital events run smoothly and meet your objectives.
For further information or to set up a meeting, contact:
Email: sales@wishcollaboration.com