How can you keep stakeholders engaged after a face-to-face program ends?

2 Use multiple channels

Depending on your stakeholder group, you may want to use different communication channels to keep them engaged. For example, you can use email, phone, social media, webinars, newsletters, or podcasts. Try to match the channel to the stakeholder's preferences, needs, and goals. For instance, if your stakeholders are busy professionals, you may want to use email or phone for quick updates, and webinars or podcasts for more in-depth discussions.

3 Provide value

Don't just communicate for the sake of communication. Make sure you provide value to your stakeholders in every interaction. This could be in the form of information, insights, resources, recognition, or opportunities. For example, you can share relevant articles, reports, or case studies that relate to your program topic. You can also highlight the achievements, challenges, or best practices of your stakeholders, and invite them to share their stories or expertise with others.

4 Seek feedback

One of the best ways to keep stakeholders engaged is to seek their feedback and act on it. Feedback can help you measure the impact of your program, identify areas of improvement, and generate ideas for future programs. You can collect feedback through surveys, interviews, focus groups, or online forums. Make sure you ask specific, relevant, and open-ended questions that elicit honest and constructive responses. Also, don't forget to acknowledge the feedback, thank the stakeholders, and inform them how you will use it.

5 Create a community

Another way to keep stakeholders engaged is to create a sense of community among them. This can foster collaboration, learning, and networking. You can create a community by facilitating online or offline events, such as webinars, workshops, meetups, or conferences. You can also use online platforms, such as social media groups, forums, or blogs, to encourage interaction and discussion among stakeholders. You can also invite stakeholders to contribute content, such as articles, videos, or podcasts, to showcase their work or perspectives.

6 Plan for the next steps

Finally, you want to keep stakeholders engaged by planning for the next steps of your program. This could be a follow-up program, a new program, or a different type of engagement. You can involve stakeholders in the planning process by asking for their input, suggestions, or feedback. You can also inform them about the timeline, objectives, and expectations of the next steps. This will help you build trust, loyalty, and anticipation among your stakeholders.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?