A Virtual Event, also known as an online event, virtual conference or live stream experience, is essentially a gathering in which people engage online rather than in person. A group of individuals come together to discuss over an agreed-upon subject matter, consume content, and share their expertise and opinions on the topic in question.
They are one of the most powerful marketing tools out there and if you want your Virtual Event to be a success there are many factors at play that you should consider – one of them is choosing the best platform where to host it.
There are numerous platforms to choose from, each with special advantages. The decision you make revolves mostly on what kind of event you intend to hold.
Types of Virtual Events
Certain gatherings work best for smaller audiences, while other ones can be stretched up to allow for a vast number of participants.
What you should do is include as many different kinds of virtual events in your advertising approach as you can. That will enable you access to a worldwide audience and also generate opportunities for networking within your local area.
- Virtual Conferences
Virtual conferences are way bigger than a normal online gathering. These types of summits are most appropriate for large yearly gatherings with a massive turnout. They have proven useful in improving brand exposure and generating leads.
A virtual conference could include plenty of things, like training sessions to exchange information and skills, opening statements from important speakers from all over the world and debates on captivating issues. With a turn out this big, these types of events make a big rival to actual in person events.
- Networking
Networking is the second most prevalent cause why people participate in online gatherings. Virtual networking events make it possible for participants to interact and make connections in intimate settings.
It allows professionals from every corner of the planet to gather knowledge from their peers while increasing their professional connections, skills, and insights. It is very important to note that all of this was not be possible before these types of online functions took place in the business world.
- Webinars
Webinar (a web seminar) is the most popular Virtual Event there is. They can be distributed live, usually in a form of a video meeting, or on-demand; however the second type is way more ineffective because the audience has no way to participate other than posting comments, even though they aren’t that interactive anyways. Participants usually ask questions or answer polls at the end of the meeting.
Webinars allow speakers from one firm or group to converse and share guidance and information on any particular subject with every individual listening. They normally last an hour or a bit more, but are never longer than two hours. Product presentations, tutorials, lectures, and panel discussions are all great reasons to put out a webinar.
- Training Sessions
After the pandemic, almost everything moved to an online world, including training sessions. They have proven to be an ideal way to reach a larger audience without paying any of the travel expenses and companies have found virtual training sessions very much helpful for skill-based training.
The instructor has to have the capacity to communicate information in a simple and yet effective way. The students also have to be able to interact with the instructor and work with other students. They have to be actively involved in the learning process and engage in the activities provided by the host of the event.
How to pick the Best Platform for your Virtual Event?
When you decide on the type of the virtual event you want to host, the next step is choosing the most appropriate platform for it. Virtual event platforms are software programs which allow you to host internet-based gatherings that appeal to particular audiences, such as webinars, Q&A sessions, virtual conferences etc.
Virtual event platforms enable organizations and firms to connect, exchange ideas, and communicate with their target demographics all over the globe.
It is very important that you pick a good tool because if you execute online events using a low-quality virtual event platform it is possible that you will negatively impact the reputation of your company.
Your preferred platform should be able to accommodate the scale of your meeting. As an organizer, you should also be able to provide a seamless, error-free experience for the people who are attending. This implies relatively easy registration and simple directions and navigation.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, Zoom has become one of the most popular platforms for all sorts of online meetings, from college courses to yoga classes, basically everyone at the time was using it.
Zoom is pretty easy to use, has a good quality video and is able to support a large group of people. On the other hand, it has a big con which is if you are not a premium user, the video is can only last 40 minutes.
It is best for Virtual Conferences.
Like we have with Zoom, GoToWebinar is popular because of its simplicity and how easy it is to use. Its con is that it isn’t that interactive, but it does include some options for the audience to engage. Good thing about it is that after your event is over, they will provide analytics so next time you are hosting you know what to do.
It is best for Webinars.
Vfair is one of the platforms that you can use for different types of events. Its key features are 3D models that make you feel like you are a part of the actual in person event instead of the virtual one. It even has personalized booths and avatars that can help make your event interactive and truly memorable.
It is best for Virtual Trade Shows.
It is a platform that produces stimulating, specific interactions that help businesses improve connections with clients. It is very interactive and will keep your audience engaged with the content. SpotMe is a mobile friendly platform and it has a pretty large user base.
It is best for Enterprise Events.
Conclusion
The outcome and success of your virtual event relies solely on selecting the right platform for it. Determine what kind of event you’re showcasing and choose a platform that’s compatible with the event’s goals.
