5 Tips for Increasing Virtual Event Engagement

We can all remember when virtual events became commonplace. We’ve embraced and enhanced virtual events out of necessity over the last several years. Recently, many people have been excited to get back to hybrid and in-person events, which may have decreased the number of virtual events on your calendar. 

However, this doesn’t mean that virtual events are gone. The innovation of virtual events has changed our perception of what’s possible online. With technology and video platforms only improving, virtual events will likely have a place in our culture for good.

With that in mind, it’s worthwhile to reframe our thinking of virtual events and how we can continue to engage potential attendees. Here are five tips for increasing engagement for your next virtual event. 

Use Polls

Polls are a great way to make your event interactive. As your event kicks off, you can use a poll as an icebreaker and to capture information about the attendees and where they’re joining from. Start off an event by asking questions about the attendees’ demographics or their interest in the program. A poll click is simpler than posting in chat, so you may see more engagement in the first few minutes with a poll. Polls can also be useful in virtual classes to gather attendance and make sure folks are still listening. Think of also using a quick exit poll before the call ends to capture how useful, fun, or engaging the event was. 

Pair Games with Giveaways 

Gamification techniques, such as quizzes and challenges, can make an event more interactive and enjoyable. Paired with a giveaway, this strategy is sure to keep your attendees engaged and interested. Whatever tactic you choose, ensure the prize is within your budget and fits the mission of your brand. Also make sure the prize has some sort of value for your audience. You could consider product giveaways, brand merchandise, gift cards, free courses, or one-on-one sessions. If you have gated goods, giving away a membership is also an excellent strategy. 

Engage with Chat  

The tried and true way that virtual events simulate in-person engagement is through a live chat. Live chat interfaces vary depending on your platform, so if engagement is your focus, consider platforms that prominently feature the chat window, such as Zoom and Meet. One new way to use chat is through a proximity chat feature. Instead of being forced into a breakout room or on a call with every attendee, proximity chats use avatars running over a map to discuss topics. The visual component of seeing who is where and who is talking to whom helps the attendee navigate through networking, just as in real life. 

Leave time for Q&A

Some folks will stick around only to ask a question, so ensure them that Q&A time is coming throughout the event. You can also have an open Q&A going during the virtual event with a moderator answering questions in the background via chat. Or, intersperse Q&A during break times in the event to mix up who’s talking and interacting. 

Connect Post-Event 

At the end of your event, check that you’re providing opportunities for attendees to connect with each other. Attendees can share information in the chat, or be added to an online social group or email list to connect. For you to connect with attendees, verify that your follow-up email has ways to keep in touch: a newsletter, social media, or signing up for the next event! You can use a marketing solution, like Promoter, to automatically follow up with attendees with valuable information about you and your next event. 

The Events Calendar Can Help 

Virtual events aren’t the stale conference calls they use to be. With the emergence of engaging new technological features, you can stimulate interaction and real engagement from attendees’ homes. 

Overall, the key to increasing engagement in virtual events is to make the event interactive, informative, and enjoyable. 

With the Events Calendar’s Virtual Events Bundle, you’ll receive all the tools, integrations, and plugins necessary to run a virtual event campaign, from sign-up to post-emails. Ready to see how fresh your next virtual event can look? Try out virtual events tools in our demo to see if this is a right fit for your upcoming virtual events in the new year.