An explosion of virtual events unraveled during the pandemic, ushering in and solidifying a new digital era. Many businesses learned to use the internet in multiple ways to maintain operations, such as conducting virtual meetings or hosting hybrid events. Here are ten compelling reasons for businesses to plan virtual events.
1. Larger Audience and Global Reach
Virtual events do not have the limitations of physical location or attendance caps, thus allowing for an unlimited number of participants as long as they have a device and internet connection to access the platform. Also, attendees of virtual events do not have travel or scheduling challenges. These days it’s easier to get more people to sign up for an online event than attend a physical event.
It is easier to promote virtual events through websites and social media channels since you are not limited to a local market segment; you can reach out to the global market. This allows for a global audience to participate and expands the reach of the event to include people from all over the world, regardless of their location.
2. More Connections, More Leads, More engagement
At a traditional convention, it’s challenging to network, collect leads, take notes, keep your leads and notes organized while many attendees themselves are busy handing out business cards, and let’s not forget to follow up after the event. Everybody has his/her own system, and attending conventions has its advantages, but you can generate a long list of qualified leads through online surveys and networking.
Networking during a virtual event may seem challenging, but it offers more advantages than you might think. Sponsors and exhibitors tend to have more effective engagement when interacting virtually one-on-one with attendees, rather than in a large exhibition hall where it can be challenging to establish as many solid connections as you’d like.
3. Cost & Time Savings
Organizing a convention is much more expensive than a virtual event. The main costs to consider for a virtual meeting are access to a streaming platform and cloud services. Virtual events save time for your organization and for the attendees. You’ll need to put in some time to plan your virtual event, but not as much as if you were planning a public event. Getting access to a virtual event is also easier; your registration email will include a link with access to the virtual event. Getting access to a physical event is slightly more complicated: first, you have to find the registration counter or area, which can be a challenge, the larger the event is before you can print your event badge and get your lanyard.
4. Flexible, Versatile, Easy to Access
Virtual events are not a replacement for physical events, but a new type of event to add and enhance the mix of events that you organize. And you can choose to organize your event as a webinar, a virtual conference, a hybrid event, a virtual exhibition, a virtual seminar, or a virtual trade show. For attendees who cannot tune in to the live broadcast, you can provide on-demand content based on event highlights and deeper information. The more quality content options you offer, the more potential for wider engagement.
Virtual meetings can be short or long and take on any of the formats mentioned above. You can customize the event for your business.
5. Availability
Online events don’t necessarily need to be live. You can make pre-recorded content available to subscribers for a fee, just as if you were charging for a live event.
6. Higher Attendees’ Engagement
To keep virtual event attendees engaged and focused, it is important to create a fully immersive experience, which can help to reduce distractions from digital and home-related sources. To keep your audience engaged you should consider and prepare: Live polling, Push notifications, live Q&A, Surveys, Compelling additional content, networking opportunities, Live keynotes, and On-Demand content.
Many people feel comfortable with online interaction because it allows for their voices to be heard by a community. It also makes it easy to build new relationships. Tracking virtual event attendees’ opinions is easy by offering online surveys. You can collect valuable information on your target market. And Live chat allows attendees to ask questions and get answers in real time. It eliminates the problem of someone on a microphone not being heard clearly by the audience.
Virtual events are modern social centers that allow people to connect with new friends who share similar backgrounds and interests. It’s possible to find long-term business partners through online networking.
7. Measurable Results
Another huge advantage to a virtual event is that it allows you to collect a wealth of data about your attendees. It can help you build a responsive marketing list.
Not only will you learn how many people are attracted to your virtual event, but you’ll also find out details about attendees. It will help you plan your next virtual meeting.
8. Lead Retrieval is Made Easy
When you use digital methods for retrieving leads, it’s easier to integrate with your e-marketing platform. You can input data from leads directly from their event badges.
9. Virtual Events Increase Sales
Since virtual events can reach larger audiences than physical events, it’s possible to increase your numbers. You prime the pump by developing the event for your target market and making sure that your customers and prospects are attending. It requires preparation and follow-through, starting with identifying and nurturing (hot) prospects before the event, teaching base with your prospects during the event, updating your list of hot prospects immediately after the event, and following up with your prospects after the event. With this methodical approach, you can reach out to more prospects and create at least three touchpoints per prospect as part of a virtual event.
10. Content for Post Event
One of the advantages of an online event is that you have lots of content at the end of the event. You need to hire a specialized team to record the various keynote speeches, panel discussions, and talks at a physical event. In a virtual event, this can be done during the event at no additional cost.
After the event, this material can be used to promote the next editions, it can be used as an online course, or for marketing, engagement, or other purposes. Don’t forget to add a copy of the event to your on-demand video channel, your YouTube channel, and other social media channels.
Conclusion
Your business can become more competitive and productive by engaging in virtual events with your personnel and customers. This emerging mode of business communication opens up new opportunities for training staff, showcasing products, and generating leads. Whether you make online presentations or mix the internet with live discussions, virtual events can modernize and elevate your business.