Smart marketers understand the value of the brand. The popularity of virtual events is rising. This implies that efficient virtual event marketing is essential. However, adopting a virtual event plan is difficult for marketing leads.

The same level of accuracy is needed to implement a marketing strategy for virtual events as it is for physical ones. But you need online event marketing that stands out because of the rising competition in the virtual event industry. You can only do this if you want to increase your virtual events' attention, attendance, and conversions.

In this article, we’ll discuss what virtual events are, how they’re hurting your brand, and top tips to host successful virtual events.

What Are Virtual Events?

These brand activations, as the name implies, are entirely online. There are advantages to meeting key stakeholders in person and developing personal relationships. But with virtual events, you can use the internet's reach to spread the word about the same event to a far larger audience.

According to a Bizzabo study, over 80% of event planners might increase their audience with virtual events, and around 93% of event professionals intend to invest in them in the future.

Are You Using Virtual Events To Hurt Your Brand?

In 2022, only 23% of event attendees think virtual events are unique, and 33% think they are engaging; talent and technology are the primary barriers to virtual event success, and technology partners are needed to help address gaps to differentiate and diversify.

Airmeet, the leading virtual and hybrid event platform has released a new commissioned study performed on behalf of Airmeet by Forrester Consulting titled "The Right Virtual Event for the Right Audience is a Catalyst for Growth." According to the survey, poorly planned virtual events might harm a brand's ability to engage target audiences.

Here’s what event organizers are saying about virtual events:

• In 2023, 82% of event organizers intend to host the same number or more virtual events. Learn how to set your events apart from the competition.
• 73% of respondents think holding an event at the correct time, with the right audience, will produce better outcomes. Find out how to do it.
• 76% of event organizers believe that diverse virtual experiences must be developed. This year, Forbes sponsored about 90 events, which helped them set a new revenue record and serve as evidence that the strategy is effective.

Depending on the size of the event, it may take up to two years to arrange an in-person event; virtual events, on the other hand, can often ramp up considerably more quickly. Since virtual events occur faster than physical ones, we must now adapt to shorter timelines. We need to be quick to act and respond to what the market needs to hear.

This has several advantages, including the ability to address pressing issues with audiences since we know what they want to talk about and the ability to arrange an event in a month rather than guessing what they would find interesting in a year.

Tips for Hosting Virtual Events

Hosting a virtual event might be challenging, but it doesn't have to be. You can make sure that your virtual event is effective and provides everyone with an excellent experience by following some helpful guidelines and best practices:

1. Set Clear Objectives Right Away.

Ensure you understand why you want to host an event before deciding on the best virtual event platform or arranging the agenda. Make sure the project team as a whole is aware of your objectives by setting SMART targets.

2. Ask Prospective Speakers And Moderators Whether They Have Experience With Virtual Events.

It's possible for a speaker to be great in person but stiff or boring on camera. Before booking any potential speakers, ask them about their experience speaking on camera and view videos of their previous events if you can.

Moderators will also require different skills to monitor a virtual event. They will need to be much more tech-savvy and able to switch between questions as they arise quickly. They must be able to keep the audience interested and determine when the energy is flagging without seeing the audience members.

3. Repurpose Your Content

Don't let all that great work go to waste; after the virtual event is over, repurpose it so that it can be used in other contexts. Create blog articles from keynotes and presentations. Assemble the best advice from each speaker and compile it into a guide. Post replays to Vimeo or YouTube.

Make every effort to utilize this content fully. It has taken hours to make, and it can be used again. 

When hosting a virtual event, it’s important to create engaging content that resonates with your audience. This includes videos or presentations based on topics relevant to your industry as well as interactive elements like Q&A sessions or polls/surveys which give attendees an opportunity to provide feedback on their experience or weigh in on topics being discussed by presenters/panelists. Additionally, incorporating multimedia elements such as music or graphics can add another layer of interest and engagement for attendees throughout the duration of the event. 

 

4. Impress Attendees with Gift Cards And Giveaways

Offering incentives and presents is another way to differentiate your company from other exhibitors. This is the most effective technique to draw visitors to your exhibit booth. Exhibitors, for example, use gaming to attract a large number of guests to their booth. So just a few people get to win gift cards or giveaways. However, the likelihood of sales increases with the number of booth visitors.

However, the tactic works well if you trademark your giveaways and presents. Gift cards, vouchers, and swag bags can all be personalized with your organization's logos, names, and colors. As a result, your company name may spread globally through your branded swag.

5. Promote on Your Website

A fantastic way to generate interest in your upcoming virtual event is to advertise it on your website. We advise putting a prominent link to your virtual event on your website's home page.

Some of the more advanced options include interstitials, banner ad placements, and message panels that attach to the bottom or top of the page. But maybe more importantly, the copy you use in your advertisement makes a big difference. Create a catchy headline highlighting participants' benefits and establishing a sense of urgency to encourage immediate action.

Conclusion:

There is no universal checklist for virtual event promotion. Every virtual event has unique values, presentations, and challenges that participants must overcome during the acquisition process.

However, if you're looking for the best virtual event marketing strategies, use these tips to create the ideal virtual event promotions.