The Insider's Guide to Virtual Event Excellence
Ericka Bates
I help SaaS companies gain warm leads in 90 days or less with virtual events, without the stress of overwhelm.
Unveiling the Power of Virtual Events with Benjamin Dell
Introduction
Virtual Events have become a powerful Digital Transformation tool for businesses, educators and organizations to connect with audiences worldwide. August 2nd., I facilitated an insightful Event Innovators Insights Session (Master Class) featuring Benjamin Dell , founder, creator and CEO of HeySummit.com, where we explored the intricacies of virtual events. From understanding the diverse formats to leveraging them for maximum impact, this session was brilliant for anyone looking to get into virtual events!
TL;DR This post covers:
Rather hear it and see it??
You can find the recorded live stream portion of The Insider’s Guide to Virtual Events Excellence on the Talk Virtual YouTube channel in The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group, Event Innovator Insight Sessions Playlist.?
If you would like to see the full recording of this event and others you can subscribe to The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group Master Class recordings.
Wanna be there live, wanna be among those of us who are asking the questions and receiving personalized feedback, got your own 2 cents share; to help your fellow event pros? Well, this kind of access requires an application and a 30 minute interview with me Ericka Bates; the facilitator of? The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group. This way we can both see if this is the right peer group for you.
Understanding Virtual Events
Virtual events, is a versatile tool that can range from simple webinars to complex multi-day conferences. As Benjamin Dell emphasized during the session, the beauty of virtual events lies in their flexibility. They do not need to be overly elaborate to be effective; the key is to find the right format that resonates with your audience. Experimentation and innovation are encouraged, as they can lead to discovering the most effective ways to engage participants.
The Benefits of Going Virtual
One of the most compelling reasons to host virtual events is the ability to reach a broader audience. Unlike in-person events, which are often limited by geography and venue capacity, virtual events can be accessed from anywhere in the world. This increased reach with cost-effectiveness and flexibility, makes virtual events a very attractive option. Additionally, they offer the ability to collect valuable data and insights, helping organizers understand their audience better and tailor future events accordingly. However, it's really important to avoid pitfalls like content overload and pricing challenges, which can diminish the effectiveness of the event.
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Industry Trends and the Future
The rise of remote work and growing comfort with online formats have made virtual events more mainstream. Benjamin highlighted that the industry is seeing increased investment in virtual event technologies and this trend is likely to continue. As people become more accustomed to virtual interactions, the demand for engaging and interactive online experiences will only grow.
Pre-Event Engagement and Community Building
Building anticipation and fostering community are essential elements of a successful virtual event. Benjamin provided practical tips for promoting events, such as leveraging the influence of speakers and affiliates and running pre-event webinars. He stressed the importance of engaging the audience before, during and after the event to create a sense of community and belonging.
HeySummit Platform Demonstration
A highlight of the session was a live demonstration of the HeySummit platform. Benjamin showcased its features, including tools for creating and customizing event pages, managing speakers, setting up ticketing and pricing and he also showed us how to analyze our data. The platform has a user-friendly interface and many capabilities make it a valuable asset for anyone looking to produce or host virtual events.
Q&A and Upcoming Updates
Our session concluded with a Q&A segment where Benjamin answered questions about HeySummit's capabilities and future developments. He also shared exciting news about upcoming updates, including the launch of an "event lobby" feature for enhanced community engagement and a new proprietary streaming studio solution. These updates are expected to offer more flexibility and potential pricing adjustments, making HeySummit an even more powerful platform for virtual events.
Conclusion
Virtual events are a valuable tool in today's digital-first world, offering unparalleled reach and engagement opportunities. As Benjamin Dell illustrated in this insightful session, understanding the nuances of virtual events and leveraging platforms like HeySummit can lead to greater success and impact.
The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group
Ready to go further with your virtual events? Join The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group to connect with like-minded professionals, share insights and learn from the best in the industry. Join our Discussions!