As online events continue to grow, most companies have added more virtual corporate events to their portfolio. By now, we are all mostly well-versed in the online space, but there are ways to take your next virtual event a step further in order to provide an even better event experience.
Brand Consistency
Most organizations use third-party technology, such as web-conferencing systems or registration tools, to host their virtual events or collect RSVPs. However, relying on third-party software is not a justification for neglecting your branding. It is important to make sure you keep your brand consistent across all touchpoints with your audience, including the email invitation, the event website and registration process, the slideshow, and the web-conference itself.
Virtual corporate event platforms like EventUp Planner will allow you to keep your brand colors, fonts, images, and more, so you can keep control of your brand on a fully white-labeled experience.
You can go an extra-mile and build a branded background for your speakers as well. Whether you build a real studio for your online events or a virtual background, this will surely make you stand out from the crowd!
Sponsorship Opportunities
When running virtual events, you will need to adapt the sponsorship packages to a new reality. While you are no longer able to share physical banners or sponsor a dinner, online events can offer different types of opportunities with far less cost for the event producer – which can result in more ROI for you!
In addition to showcasing the sponsors on the event website (bring the physical banner to the online space!), you can also have organizations sponsor unique sessions of your multi-session event, include their logos in PDF catalogues and supporting materials, as well as showcase them during your virtual event.
To go the extra mile, you can produce a short video clip to promote your sponsors before or in-between your sessions. Just like a recorded commercial for TV or YouTube, this pre-recorded video will make your event look even more professional, while also giving your sponsors a reason to love you!
Interactivity
Although fostering interaction online may pose some challenges, there are still ways to engage your audience and make them an integral part of your event.
You can ask questions during the presentation, encourage attendees to participate through chat, create live polls and surveys, and more. Additionally, incentivizing participation by offering prizes for the most engaged can help motivate people to involve.
Use Music to Help Set the Mood
Keeping the energy up for the duration of your online event can be challenging, particularly if it extends beyond a few hours. To help maintain the energy, consider utilizing music to your advantage.
You can use music during breaks between sessions or before introducing new speakers and sessions. You may prepare live music, or pre-record video introductions and break slides in advance.
Networking/ Messaging Capabilities
We can’t deny that one big reason people love events is due to the networking opportunities it provides. Although it can be challenging, it is not impossible to translate these opportunities to the online space.
Whether you provide a directory hall where attendees can browse the profile or fellow event-goers, or connect directly with sponsors and exhibitors to book one-on-one meetings can go a long way. Give power to the people and let them select those they’d like to connect with and book their meetings using online event technology.
Finding the Right Virtual Corporate Events Platform
It can be as simple or as complex as the technology you use allows it to be to run an online event. With EventUp Planner Virtual Studio, you can manage all your events, whether in-person or online, from one unique platform.
The Virtual Studio is a truly integrated virtual corporate events platform that supports planners in providing a seamless experience to attendees, from start to finish. Now, your virtual events journey doesn’t have to feel like a second class citizen to your in-person events portfolio.
EventUp Planner (formerly Attendease) covers all you need to plan and manage your event including event registration, agenda management, website builder, event marketing, reporting, and more. While the Virtual Studio add-on covers all your virtual events needs. With minimal training and setup, it is easy to get started and launch your first virtual event with EventUp Planner.
If you are ready to see how this can work for you, contact our team to book a discovery call and see if this could be a fit for your event planning needs.