Our Marketing Intern’s top tips on planning a virtual event as a beginner

 

Written by Shaheen Sheikh, Marketing Intern at SOCIATE

 

Virtual events are not an entirely new concept – we saw them in dribs and drabs over the past few years but they have truly come into their own in 2020. Hands up if you saw this coming!

With the pandemic still in action, marketers and professionals across the globe have pivoted to a new reality for safety and inclusion – virtual events. Planning your own? Here are some tips for beginners:

 

Long-range planning
Develop your strategies and plan the event well in advance, at least a month before the actual event is to take place. This will help you to forecast possible issues and eliminate them during or before your event.

 

Promote it and create awareness
Ensure that your event is getting enough coverage and attention. The best way to do so would be promoting it on social media platforms to increase engagement and get maximum exposure.

 

Choose your virtual platform wisely
Weigh the pros and cons of each platform, and choose the one you and your audience are familiar with. Try to take your audience’s opinion in advance to find out what they are comfortable with. This will help to avoid any challenges you may face on the technical side of the platform.

 

Draft a rough script and practice your on-camera presence
Keep your script concise and ensure you cover all the points to be discussed. Practice your script in front of the camera, and make notes that you can use to tweak your script. Ensure your body language and posture are welcoming, and have a natural smile when you are speaking to the screen.

 

Use natural light and a neat background
Take advantage of natural light. Try to keep a plain or neutral background with minimal to no furniture visible. This would make your event more authentic and professional. A simple wall hanging would also work to give your background a pleasant aesthetic, and will put your audience at ease.

 

Make the session interactive
Virtual events can be tiring and often result in Zoom fatigue. Try to have question-and-answer rounds at small intervals. This will ensure that your audience engages with your event and are kept alert and engaged.

 

Concluding your event
Turn your script into a checklist to ensure you have covered all the topics on your agenda. Allot time after the event to speak with your audience, addressing their questions and taking on their feedback. This will help you prepare for your next event, and make it even better than this one.

 

We hope these tips send you sailing smoothly into your first virtual event.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask our marketing pros at [email protected]