Virtual is the new normal. At this point, it’s unavoidable. For our safety, your safety, and the safety of everyone everywhere, any event typically held in larger groups has now been switched to a format made much more of pixels than of people.
But here at DVI, we’re not just accepting that new normal. We’re embracing it!
This is the age of virtual meetings of all kinds, from teleconferences and digital tradeshows to Zoom calls and virtual groundbreakings. It’s all happening with the power of digital communication, so why not make your distanced discussion something to remember?
Read on to see our top five tips for a spectacular virtual event.
Pre-recorded video of speakers or actions
Believe it or not, doing a virtual event that’s 100% live isn’t always best. In fact, it rarely is.
Pre-recording your sales convention or channel partner event allows you the luxury of tweaking content, presentation, and all the bells and whistles of stellar video production. While live video forces you to sync several technological and staging factors just to create a nice background, with pre-recorded video, you can have a production company or creative agency take care of everything for you. The whole production can be packaged into a single, simple video format that you can play for event attendees at will.
And if you’re still itching to go live, remember that hybrid virtual events are becoming increasingly popular—simply put the majority of your content into pre-recorded videos, then hold live breakouts for attendees to ask their biggest questions.
Pre-recording your sales convention or channel partner event allows you the luxury of tweaking content, presentation, and all the bells and whistles of stellar video production.
Coordinated ad campaign
Drum up support and attendance for your upcoming virtual award presentation or gala with digital ads and other eye-catching placements. The perfect logo, slogan, or tantalizing offer may just bring a whole new group of attendees to your event.
In this new age of working from home and telecommuting, potential event attendees spend more time browsing the digital environment than ever before. They’re paying close attention to all the messages headed their way, so you’d best take a slice of the pie and get their attention!
Event website
Speaking of the digital environment, a snazzy landing page for your corporate conference is just the thing to catch more eyes. It’s also the perfect place to spread information about your event and tell attendees what to expect.
Even a single landing page can elevate expectations, transforming the feeling of your event from “smalltime Zoom call” to “professionally organized extravaganza.” And if you’re fresh out of website ideas, enlist your favorite creative agency to take care of the heavy lifting.
An event website or landing page can elevate expectations, transforming the feeling of your event from “smalltime Zoom call” to “professionally organized extravaganza.”
Animated video
Animation isn’t just for kids. It’s got a million different uses for today’s industry professionals, from software and technology to heavy equipment and construction. Animation can give any presentation or event a fresh face, allowing you to reimagine some of your content without the constraints of live-action props or skits.
Animation and motion graphics can even be used to keep attendees’ attention during long virtual sessions using short interstitial videos and extra tidbits. Use a fun animation of your company’s logo to honor the showrunner while attendees think through a focus question, or display a slick motion graphic trivia question to get your attendees thinking before the big event.
Event guide or introduction
Last, but certainly not least, make sure your attendees know exactly what to expect when they log in, click “Go,” or otherwise engage with your virtual event link at its release.
Technological problems can dampen the mood at even the most exciting virtual event, so make sure your attendees have a clear instruction booklet—perhaps even an illustrated pdf or explainer video—so that they know how to engage with you during the event. Let attendees know how to chat, raise their hand, watch the presentation recording, or pause playback before those questions even arise.
Remember: virtual events aren’t something to fear. Instead, embrace the freedom of virtual production, prepare thoughtfully, and get ready to dazzle your audience!
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