When most of us think about a virtual event, we assume that the event will involve a large group of people with a common interest getting together in a single location. The truth is that thanks to technology, live events have evolved. In today’s world, virtual events are not only possible but are also a highly effective marketing tool. Many marketing experts feel that even once the worldwide COVID-19 lockdown ends, virtual conferences and events will remain a vital marketing tool. Let’s take a look at ideas for virtual conferences and events, and how to choose the best event agency.
The Various Benefits of Virtual Events
The future of virtual events is bright. There are several reasons virtual events work as well and in some cases, even better than traditional events for tech companies. These benefits include:
- It’s more affordable both for the tech company and those who wish to attend the event
- Improved flexibility
- It’s easier to make the event a global affair
- There’s little chance that unexpected events, such as a pandemic, will force you to cancel the event
- It’s time-efficient
- It’s easier to work around prized contributors schedules
Happily, there are some virtual event ideas your tech company should consider incorporating into your upcoming schedule.
The Many Types of Virtual Events
Virtual Press Conferences
Virtual press events are relatively easy to put together and often generate an outstanding ROI. The great thing about press events is that there is no shortage of times you can utilise them. Outstanding reasons to host a virtual press event include:
- When your tech company launches a new product/service
- When your tech company is merging with or acquiring another company/branch
Make sure you invite reporters who routinely post both quotes and links when they write articles about the virtual press conferences they’ve attended. Each of these quotes/links help boost your tech company’s SEO.
Virtual Educational Seminars and/or Virtual Training Events
Furthering the education of your employees, customers, or potential customers is an excellent reason for your tech company to host a virtual event. There are a number of different ways to do this. You can make the event a seminar-style educational opportunity that includes a Q&A period that provides participants with a chance to get detailed information about a product/service you offer. You can create a virtual event that serves as a training program for your employees. Many tech companies use virtual educational events as an opportunity to provide official certification opportunities.
Inviting a few industry giants to participate in the educational virtual event is a great way to increase event interest.
Virtual Employee Events
If your tech company is large enough, putting together a few virtual employee events each year is a good idea. These virtual events can serve a few different purposes, including:
- Rewarding employees and providing incentives to work harder
- Encourage employee engagement
- Creating educational opportunities
- Generating feedback from employees about their job satisfaction levels
- Creating a virtual situation that enables employees to connect with other employees who work in different locations
Before promoting the employee virtual event, decide if the event is mandatory.
Virtual Brand Awareness Events
Brand awareness events serve a few different purposes. You can use them to:
- Attract new customers
- Attract loyal customers to a new product/service
- Serve as a customer reward incentive
- Create establish a symbiotic relationship between your business and another
- Etc.
Because brand awareness events can serve so many purposes, it’s important to know exactly what your objective is prior to starting to work on the virtual event. The objective influences:
The guest speakers you line up to offer virtual seminars
- How you promote the event
- The event’s overall tone
- What type of incentives/programs are offered during the event
Never forget that the purpose of the virtual event is building brand awareness. Every single aspect of the event should resonate with your tech company.
Virtual Tradeshows and Virtual Expos
While virtual tradeshows, virtual conferences, and expos are a relatively new concept for many tech businesses, some experts feel that in the wake of COVID-19, virtual tradeshows become commonplace. While the main reason to attend, or even put on, a virtual tradeshow is selling products and generating leads, they can serve a second, extremely useful purpose. A good industry tradeshow is an excellent way to make key connections within the tech industry. When attending or organising a virtual tradeshow, make sure you do whatever it takes to promote your brand.
Don’t assume that because you’re involved with a virtual event rather than a live event, that putting the event together will be a simple affair. It’s vitally important that you provide your attendees with a high-quality event. It doesn’t matter if it’s a three-day virtual conference or an hour-long educational seminar, creating the type of high-quality virtual event that generates the desired ROI takes time and preparation. The sooner you start planning your virtual event, the better the final results will be.
Set a Clear Goal for the Virtual Event
When you contact us and set up a free consultation where we’ll discuss your virtual event, we’ll help you understand the importance of setting a virtual event goal. Your tech company needs to have a clear goal for every virtual event you host. Good goals include:
- Promoting your tech company
- Launching a new product/service
- Generating brand awareness
- Growing your customer base
- Recruiting new talent to your tech business
- Boosting revenue
Having a clearly identified objective for the virtual event enables you to determine the projected ROI, identify the best way to promote the event, figure out which guest speakers you should line up for the event, and who to invite. Knowing the event’s goal can even help you determine which virtual platforms and technology are the most suitable.
Avoid Mistakes when Planning a Virtual Event
Failing to take the event as seriously as they would an in-person live event is one of the biggest tech companies make while organising a virtual event. Many organisers don’t give themselves enough time to iron out all the details or to make sure the event schedule is properly laid out. Contacts aren’t followed up, Invitations aren’t sent out. The technology needed for the event isn’t adequately tested. The event doesn’t get the proper funding. The lack of adequate prep work results in the event failing to meet satisfy everyone who is involved with it and not generating a satisfactory ROI.
Making a single mistake while planning your virtual event can have a devastating impact on the event’s ROI. We’ll make sure you don’t make any costly mistakes and guide you through every single step of planning and executing your virtual event. We have a great deal of experience with all types of virtual events and can’t wait to help you get started on your virtual journey. With us in your corner, you’ll enjoy the entire experience.
If you enjoyed this article, click through to learn more about: Your guide to generating brand awareness through virtual events.
Our event agency has the knowledge and resources needed to turn your next virtual event into a success story. Book a consultation today. You’ll be glad you did!
