Virtual Event Insights & Building a Paid Community: Key Takeaways from The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group

Leveraging Virtual Platforms, Overcoming Challenges and Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Introduction?

The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group gathered to share experiences, insights and strategies for navigating virtual events, building paid communities and addressing challenges faced by event professionals who just happen to be entrepreneurs, business owners and founders. Toya Glenn, one of our featured members, shared her journey with virtual events, including overcoming technical difficulties and her work in empowering women through the C·SHE·O Club. The session was filled with valuable tips for community building, leveraging virtual platforms and personal growth.

TL;DR

• Toya shared her experiences hosting virtual events for nonprofits and chambers, preferring platforms like Ringcentral over Zoom.
• Discussions included book banning concerns, especially in Florida and its impact on cultural access.
• Toya introduced C.SHE.O Club, a paid community for women entrepreneurs, highlighting its membership features and benefits.
• Overcoming camera shyness and the importance of community collaboration were central themes.
• The meeting concluded with a recap of next steps, including plans for an upcoming live stream.

Virtual Event Experiences

Toya began the session by discussing her work hosting virtual events and webinars for a variety of clients, including nonprofits, chambers of commerce and service-based organizations. While Zoom is often the go-to platform for her clients, she mentioned that it’s not her personal favorite. In fact, she prefers using platforms like Ringcentral, which offers a more studio-like environment that can enhance the production quality of virtual events.

One challenge Toya highlighted was the technical difficulties that sometimes arise. She shared a specific instance where she lost her slide deck during a Zoom call, resulting in a disconnection. Her advice for event planners facing similar issues is to always have a backup plan and be prepared for the unexpected.

Book Banning and Cultural Access

The conversation shifted towards a topic that has been gaining national attention—book banning. Both Toya and Ericka expressed concern about the trend, particularly in states like Florida, where restrictions on access to certain books are limiting educational and cultural opportunities. This not only affects personal growth but also the ability to connect with diverse communities and ideas. It was a sobering reminder of the importance of advocating for freedom of information and cultural literacy.

Building a Paid Community: Introducing the C.SHE.O Club

One of the most inspiring parts of the session was Toya’s introduction of the C.SHE.O Club, a paid community designed to support women entrepreneurs and business owners. Along with her partners, Toya has built a collaborative space where women can come together to leverage each other’s expertise, share resources and offer support.

Toya emphasized the value of community in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. By working together, members of the C.SHE.O Club can overcome challenges faster and with more confidence. The C.SHE.O Club offers not just networking opportunities but also actionable advice, forums and even co-working spaces to keep members engaged and connected.

Membership Structure and Features of C.SHE.O Club

The membership structure of the C.SHE.O Club was another key highlight. Toya explained that they offer a range of membership options, including a lifetime membership at a discounted rate for early adopters. The platform features various tools designed to foster collaboration, including private forums, a podcast and virtual co-working spaces. These features allow members to not only learn from each other but also grow their businesses in an inclusive, supportive environment.

Overcoming Discomfort with Being on Camera

The discussion also touched on a common challenge faced by many professionals—camera shyness. Patrick Jackman, one of our members, shared that he prefers working behind the scenes, rather than in front of the camera. We offered several strategies for overcoming this discomfort, emphasizing the importance of getting comfortable with visibility to better serve one's community. With the growing importance of video content in digital marketing, finding ways to engage confidently on camera can be a game-changer for business owners.

Recap & Next Steps

As the meeting came to a close, We recapped the key takeaways and planned the next steps. Patrick was tasked with preparing for an upcoming Event Innovators Insights Session (Master Class), while Jason Hodge offered his endorsement to support the group's future initiatives. The session ended on a high note, with everyone energized to take action on the insights shared.

Conclusion

From navigating virtual event platforms to fostering a thriving paid community, the September meeting of The Virtual Summiteers offered a wealth of knowledge for entrepreneurs and event professionals alike. Toya's experiences and the group's collective wisdom provided actionable strategies for overcoming challenges and creating successful digital communities.

Take Action?

Are you interested in learning more about virtual events, community building or connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs? Join The Virtual Summiteers Peer Group today and become part of a vibrant community where collaboration and growth are the focus.