Need help with your upcoming virtual event? We provide tech support and event production for all virtual meetings, trainings, workshops and conferences ranging from 1 hour to multi-day events. Check out details at www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/tech. We provide full-service virtual event management from start to finish.
As we approach the one year mark of national stay-at-home orders, we still find ourselves asking folks to gather online for a variety of reasons - from meetings to conferences to networking opportunities. We likely will continue to stay online as we begin to be able to gather safely, simply because of the ease of gathering at the click of a button. When asking attendees to gather online it is important to have a clear purpose. Why are you asking people to gather online?
One of your reasons might be...
Orientation
Strategize for the future
Conversation
A discussion
Brainstorming opportunity
Educate
Raise Funds
Build Community
Network
Learn
Having a clear purpose helps you understand how to design your virtual gathering and choose the appropriate event platform. The process of answering this question of the purpose of our virtual gathering helps us create a better experience for all.
Picking the Right Platform
You will want to choose your platform based on your priorities for engaging attendees. Asking adults to gather online without a clear purpose or ideas for engagement is a sure way to get folks to log off within seconds. Curated breakout rooms, meaningful polls, visual whiteboards, and purposeful chats are all great ways to engage your attendees. It is important to make sure the platforms you choose allow for these options.
Some of our favorite platforms that allow for breakout rooms include
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Go into your virtual event prepared. If you are speaking, ensure you have a back up plan for your back up plan. Does your microphone work? Are you in a quiet space to present? How is your WiFi connection? If you are having someone else speak, make sure you have gone over at what point you will be turning things over to each other. Leave room for improvisation by ensuring a final, set transition sentence at the end of one person’s portion. The more preparation you go through before your event, the better equipped you will be to address any issues that may come up during show time.
Bringing It All Together
Creating a virtual gathering people actually want to attend takes thoughtful planning. The structure, length and size of a virtual event varies based on the purpose and the event’s target audience. Every virtual gathering is unique and mishaps are bound to happen. By equipping yourself with a thorough event plan, your guests are bound to attend a virtual event they won’t soon forget.
Need help with your upcoming virtual event? We provide tech support and event production for all virtual meetings, trainings, workshops and conferences ranging from 1 hour to multi-day events. Check out details at www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/tech. We provide full-service virtual event management from start to finish.