How to make virtual events more interactive: 5 proven practical tactics.
Trying to make virtual events more interactive is undeniably one of the main strategies brands are using to increase their global reach.
For years, videoconferencing was the only option when meeting online. However, with macro changes, like the pandemic, the need for more robust and complete solutions emerged.
But what exactly can make a virtual conference more interactive? How can you guarantee that your guests will not get distracted by everything else that surrounds them?
At the end of this read, you’ll know some of the options that have been demonstrated to be more efficient for us.
5 proven Tactics that make virtual events more interactive.
1. Q&A’s
Not only are Q&A’s shown to be the most effective way of making online events more interactive, but it also is basically the most expected moment of a few events.
It allows you to prepare custom presentations, interactive polls, and graphics, as well as fun tests and engaging questions that make attendees feel they are really part of something.
Likewise, you can engage with your target audience through a questionnaire by bringing your attendees as hosts, so they can make their questions with their cameras and mics open without the need for moderation.
The ideal time for a Q&A varies between 10 and 20 minutes. Don’t worry if you can’t handle all the questions from the audience. End a session at the promised time and, if possible, send answers to unanswered questions in a document after the event is finished.
2. Polls
One of the most difficult aspects to replace in a face-to-face event is the ability to provoke debates.
How to make the audience identify and react spontaneously to a problem presented?
The truth is that however old-fashioned, polls remain relevant. It is through them that the audience will provide relevant data for a marketing strategy of the event organizer, as well as realize if they are in the right place.
You can ask questions, for example, where your participants are watching from. It seems like a common question, but it is very valuable.
Or, if you intend to break the ice, ask for something more personal and fun. For instance, you could ask who’s is already changed and who’s still wearing pajamas.
Still, if the intention is to persuade, you can ask your participants what the highlight of the session at the end of it was. This makes the participants convince themselves that they have learned something.
3. Gamification
Gamification in events allows votes and other dynamics. This kind of interaction makes participants feel part of the decisions, thereby increasing the quality of the presentations.
Interesting tools such as Mentimeter or noonah provide a range of visual games, as well as the possibility to implement some cool features and visually attractive screens.
If you’re making open questions, Wooclap allows you to create those and provide a code for the participant to answer the questions in real-time. Then, a word cloud is created and integrated into your presentation on Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Keynote.
4. Make appealing visuals
Sharing something other than the host’s face is essential.
Whether it’s a persuasive presentation or an impactful video, at this point, you should know that it is not a differential anymore. It’s a must.
However, you can still innovate.
Something that keeps the guests interested in the event, in fact, is the live sketch. At live events, these graphic facilitators usually draw large paper screens. When finished, the outline becomes a summary of what that session was about.
It is normal to see these screens being surrounded by visitors wanting to take a photo and spread this material to their colleagues. To create visually appealing presentations, you can use a variety of resources of infographics and visual slides, such as those offered by SlideModel, for example.
In virtual events, this helps a lot to keep viewers interested since they see the performance of the designer building the whole process, which increases the curiosity to see the final product.
5. The next level: experiential marketing for virtual events
Virtual events are also called online events or hybrid events. The definition is so broad that we have prepared an article specifically on the subject.
You can read it here: “What is a hybrid event after all?”.
Anyways, what is most impressive is that to make virtual events more interactive, you can even try strategies that seem to be applicable only in face-to-face experiences.
For example a few weeks ago, we held a virtual wine tasting. Each of the participants received, on their doorstep, wines from the Napa Valley region in California.
The guidance of the Guest Manager specialized in creating an exclusive and intimate environment was something until then unimaginable to be done at a distance.
Everyone was able to share their perceptions about their own experience on breakout sessions and watch a pocket show that further harmonized the wine tasting.
6. In conclusion
There are several tools at our disposal to make virtual events more interactive.
So integrating all event planning and management on a digital platform able to offer engagement and interaction between organizers, participants, speakers, and exhibitors, makes all the difference in your final result.
If you’re interested in knowing how integrations can increase your revenue, we prepared a quick guide to help you. You can access this link: why you need these 5 integrations to sell more.
The core question remains what and how to do to maximize the possibility of engagement.
We know that event attendees care about networking opportunities. However, what they might not know is: they love to be surprised.
Enchanting the client is something that event pros are used to, and now technology is more crucial than never to deliver it.
Keep learning! Take advantage of our free and always updated resources:
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