5 Audience Engagement Tactics for Virtual Events
With COVID-19 forcing businesses to move from in-person events to the digital landscape, it can be difficult learning how to host and navigate a virtual event. But, we believe that shifting to an online platform doesn’t have to mean sacrificing that personal touch.
Here are our top 5 best practices your business can take to better your virtual events.
Interact with your audience
Respond to as many questions and comments as you can. When the host spends the entire event talking about themselves rather than getting to know their audience, things can get boring pretty fast. Try not to lecture (if you can avoid it) and think of your event as more of a social gathering than a business meeting.
Show your viewers what you’ve been working on
Create a teaser by giving your followers a preview of your upcoming or next interview. This can be best done by showing a slideshow of some pictures that haven’t been put on your page yet, creating a beautiful Instagram or Facebook story, or creative static post. Plus, remember to upload all your video content to your subsequent Instagram TV channel, Facebook post, and YouTube Channel.
3. Be prepared for lulls in the conversation
Have a list of conversation starters on hand in case things get too quiet or slow. Nothing’s worse than a dry, stale video chat. To keep things interesting, try asking things about your audience. Get involved with the crowd; don’t talk at them talk with them.
4. Practice good presentation tactics
Make eye contact! Try not to get caught staring down at your own screen too much. Hold your head up high, speak out towards your camera/microphone, and smile. Make sure you’re speaking clearly and not too fast. And, remember to give some time for your audience to process what they hear.
5. Have fun!
Show everyone that you’re having a good time. If you’re enjoying what you’re doing, that energy then replicates itself in your viewers! The more passionate you are, the more genuine your event is going to be.
All in all, communicating online should feel the same as talking face-to-face. Although we lack the physical proximity, we can still keep our businesses up and running if we learn how best to host a virtual event. Like most things, it will take time and practice makes perfect. But, your customers will appreciate the time you took to perfect those virtual wine tastings, cooking lessons, or whatever it is you’re marketing. Looking for a little extra help in coordinating your virtual events? Let us help. We’re always here to help your event go smoothly.