Virtual Events: Are you thinking about hosting a virtual event for your business? Virtual events have been around for about 10 years now but become popular since the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual events involve people interacting online instead of at a physical place. In 2022 and in years to come, companies should definitely consider hosting virtual events.
Let’s explore some useful statistics about virtual events.
· Based on LadyBugz findings through hosting virtual events for clients 90% of the registrations come from your personal LinkedIn connections, those of your people within your business and community. We have discovered that a client can get a minimum of 60% registrations on the day of virtual event.
· The evidence shows that the longer you market a virtual event on LinkedIn – the better your chances of seeing an influx of registrations over time and on the day of the event.
· Create consistency with your webinars. Once a month, once a quarter or even a series of informative sessions that brings your audience back and allow for enough time for Q&A. Keep it short and have more time for live questions to the panel.
Virtual events can lead to business growth.
· Virtual events give you the opportunity to track and gather data about your audience in real time. The data that you collect from your virtual event can help you understand what your attendees can expect at your next event.
· According to our findings at LadyBugz, in one of the events we hosted this year, we got 451 Registrations with 178 of them all signed up on the day. Of that 178, 168 sign up an hour before or during the webinar.
· You should position yourself as a thought leader and share your personal insights at your virtual event. Hosting experts in the industry at your virtual event improves how your customers see your brand. (This shouldn’t be used as a product demo session)
· Saving you time is another benefit of a virtual event. Attendees don’t need to travel anywhere as your event is online. They can attend your event from the comfort of their own homes.
· Bonus, it’s recorded so available afterwards if people are unable to attend.
Here are some important tips when it comes to your virtual events:
· Consider creating a virtual event to add value, which in turn, could generate leads for your business.
· Make sure to promote your virtual event on your social media pages. In LadyBugz experience, LinkedIn has the largest organic traction for sign ups than paid for promotions.
· Take the time to inform your followers about your virtual event on all your social media channels. At LadyBugz, we have also learned that it’s best to plan a minimum of 6 weeks before the event to allow the LinkedIn algorithm to process your event and marketing efforts.
You can also use other mediums to promote your event such as Facebook Events, or post pictures and videos of your virtual event on Instagram. Even Google Business has an event function. Sometimes, creating a hashtag for your virtual event and include it in all your social media posts may help find content for your event.
· Invite your LinkedIn Connections to attend your event.
· Use email marketing to inform everyone about your virtual event. Send out an email to your customers about your event.
· Write a blog post on your website about your upcoming virtual event.
· Use LinkedIn Newsletter function to talk about the topic and let people know you are hosting an event on the subject.
· After your virtual event has ended, stay online and answer questions from your audience. You can gain valuable feedback from your attendees that you can use for you next virtual event.
· You can even create a recording of the virtual event and share it with your attendees. Having a recording helps you see what worked and didn’t work, and gives you tips that you can use for the next virtual event!
· Use the recording to engage further and email your attendees and ask for feedback.
As you can see, hosting a virtual event can really be beneficial for your business. Enjoy hosting your next virtual event! It does require a strategy, the know-how of the tools and media you use and the willingness to engage your audience authentically.
Are ready to leverage this amazing resource? Then let’s talk about HOW your business’ brand can grow through virtual events. Send us an email: noleen@ladybugz.co.za for a connect.