5 Keys to Successful Virtual Events [ Must Know ]

From keeping communication flowing during uncertain times to boosting morale and improving teamwork, there are many significant benefits to hosting digital events.

However, planning impactful, successful virtual events also comes with specific challenges that cannot be ignored.

To help you overcome those challenges and reap the benefits, we have identified five essential things that everyone putting together an online gathering should prioritize.

Let’s jump right in! 

1. Strategy

No matter the size of your event, creating a game plan is critical to you hosting a successful event. The sooner you start working on this, the better.

Start mapping your strategy by establishing a primary goal and concept for your event. Also, make sure to consider the following:

• What type of experience do you want to offer the guests?
• What is the best time for the event?
• What are the channels you will use to promote the event?
• Will access to the event be free or gated?
• What metrics should you track to be able to evaluate if the event managed to meet its goals?

2. A Great Opening

How you open your virtual gathering will set the tone for the entire event.

Those first minutes of your event provide an excellent opportunity to energize your virtual attendees and set the premises for an engaging, interactive event from the get-go.

A great way to take advantage of this opportunity is to book a high-energy entertainment act to open your online event.

From ventriloquists to magicians, singers, dancers, and more, there are many amazing artists that you can book to kick off your event with live entertainment.

What is more, many of these entertainers offer the option to incorporate your event’s theme/topic into their program to help you maximize impact.

3. Audience Engagement

Audience engagement is a key factor in making the difference between successful virtual events and run-of-the-mill online gatherings.

This is why it is critical to creating opportunities for engagement and interactions throughout the event that allow for audience involvement.

Here are a few practical “tools” you can utilize for this.

1. The event’s live chat functionality.

Encourage guests to ask questions and have some of your speakers answer those questions live.

2. Contests.

Online team-building activities with an interactive, competitive component will get participants’ competitive juices flowing, which is a sure way to keep their interest.

From Virtual Trivia Games, Escape Rooms, Virtual Casino, Puzzle Challenges, and more, there are a lot of options available for you to choose from. And if you want to up the ante, you can also consider adding prizes in the form of branded swag.

4. Production Quality

You can have the most exciting content – if the audio and video quality is not great, it will fail to entice your audience. So whether we are talking about prerecorded videos or keynotes and panels streamed live, the production quality should be high.

This is one reason why it is important to work with professional keynote speakers who have experience presenting their programs virtually. In addition, some keynote speakers have their professional studios to ensure flawless audio and image quality.

Sound and lighting basics matter, so make sure to keep this aspect in mind for successful virtual events.

5. Star Entertainment

Guests watching an event on a screen still need to be entertained.

Featuring premium entertainment at your event will help generate buzz, increase turnout, spark enthusiasm, and make the event more memorable.

So, integrating a high-quality entertainment act, like the ones suggested below, can pay big dividends.

• Comedy show. The right comedian will have attendees roaring with laughter while improving morale and keeping spirits high throughout your event. Furthermore, you can book a comedian known for integrating other distinctive elements into their shows, like Michael Harrison with his ventriloquism or Kristin Key’s musical flair.
• Celebrity chef. Take guests on a culinary adventure by booking a celebrity chef for your event. Attendees will learn actionable cooking tips and tricks straight from the pros and gain more insight into this fascinating world.

Need More Entertainment Options for Successful Virtual Events?

You can count on us! So start browsing through our selection here, find the right entertainment to support your goals, and set your event up for success.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us at (615) 283-0039. We are always happy to hear from you!