Format

Create a new experience

Be open to new event formats – think about what your audience will enjoy and let your online event develop an identity of its own, whilst retaining your event and/or brand values.

Time to move

Being glued to a screen from 9-5 isn’t good for our concentration levels or our well-being, so why expect your audience to remain actively engaged with your event all day unless you provide them with time to move!

At an in-person event, the networking opportunities and stand visits are typically timed to take place during breaks in the conference programme, however for an online event these may be the only times when your attendees can move away from their screen! Make sure to allow time for your delegates to attend the sessions, speak to exhibitors, network with peers as well as take scheduled breaks from their screen.

Try something new

A whole day of online educational or business content can be exhausting for the viewer. Offering optional videos and sessions that are unrelated to the main event can be a great way to bring some light and shade into the day.

On-demand videos or sessions could include a light workout routine, online magic, podcasts, online games or even a cooking demo. The opportunities are endless and this could be a nice way to involve employees in their own event.

Interrupt your audience

It’s easy to become distracted when attending an online event. However, there are many ways to avoid attendees missing keynote sessions and important messages. You could use a red alert message, an audio sound, or an online Host who pops up on the screen to update attendees on what’s coming next. If you have must-not-miss moments, you could send a 15 minute warning email to attendees ahead of those big moments in your programme.

Hold an after party

After a long day of watching sessions and speaking to colleagues and exhibitors, attendees will appreciate the opportunity to relax and share take outs from the event.

If a virtual DJ or musician isn’t right for your event, why not try a post-event quiz, a comedy room, a virtual magician, a fireside chat with a celebrity – the list is endless…