In times of a pandemic, technological advances have made work easier for many companies and professionals. For example, the inevitable cancellation of physical events in the worst stage of the pandemic caused virtual event tools to gain strength and popularity by leaps and bounds as an excellent alternative to face-to-face meetings. That’s why it is important to know what the best virtual event platforms are and how they can help you to create an engaged audience and an unforgettable event in general.

What are virtual event platforms?

Virtual event platforms or software tools are used to organize events or meetings in a virtual or 3D environment. They allow connecting hundreds of people, who can interact - with voice and movements - in a virtual environment that simulates a physical one, but that adopts a certain appearance similar to that of a video game.A virtual event is often highly interactive and can connect hundreds of people at the same time from multiple devices in the same place. They can even complement physical meetings to improve the impact among attendees and boost engagement, making the experience as immersive as possible for users. Virtual events are compatible with any type of meeting: trade fairs, conferences, sales meetings, conventions, open days at universities, etc., and are a really interesting opportunity to make presentations or internal sessions in companies.

25 of the best virtual event software platforms

Let's take a look at some examples. We present you some of the platforms that allow you to organize very professional virtual events with great results. We have divided the list in two: on the one hand, we highlight the tools most recommended by our team, and on the other hand, some tools that you should take into account and also have a look at if you require some special functions for your virtual event like gamification since this is not offered by all virtual event platforms..Remember that this is a list that is constantly updated, so please let us know if you don't see any tool that you think we should include. This is our selection of the best virtual event platforms:

The best online event platforms

1. expertshare
2. BigMarker
3. Hopin
4. MeetMaps
5. Brella
6. Virtway
7. Accelevents
8. And others that you may also find very useful
9. BlueJeans (new)
10. Tu fabrica deventos
11. ClickMeeting (new)
12. Cvent (new)
13. Eventact (new)
14. Eventscase (new)
15. Eventswallet (new)
16. Eventtia
17. Hubilo (new)
18. Inwink (new)
19. INXPO
20. iVent
21. Lets Get Digital (new)
22. MeetYoo
23. Remo
24. Run the world
25. vFairs
26. Vimeet

Let’s get into the details of each platform.

1. expertshare - best virtual events platform

expertshare allows you to host whole events in 3D and you can even use your own background (it is the only company that has this). It also has scalable live streaming capabilities with unlimited attendees and it is very easy to customize this virtual environment. This will turn your virtual event into an experience that will be remembered. The whole physical experience can be replicated in a 3D environment. Moreover, you can have group calls or one-to-one calls while still being linked to the main video event. People can also vote live during the event to make them more engaged. expertshare offers multi language support which means the event can be held in a custom language. Other great features they offer are:Analytics & Reporting, Two Factor Authentication, Sponsors & Exhibitors, Video Library, Comments & Discussions, Ask The Speaker (Create a question board, moderate questions and improve user engagement), Automatic Certification, Screen Sharing, Hybrid Meeting Relationship Management, Custom Branding, Onsite Support, Cloud and cogwheel, SaaS and On-Prem, Certificate E-Learning, Document Library and more.

2. BigMarker

BigMarker's goal is to empower interactive conversation with audiences of any size through webinars, virtual and hybrid events. They offer more than 15 virtual event modules that can be mixed and matched depending on your use case to create a unique experience.In addition, it allows you to create targeted landing pages and customize the entire interface, from the look and feel of discussion boards to interactive Q&A sessions and calls to action. It also features integrated conversion-optimized sales and payment pages. You have the option to process transactions through Stripe (earnings go directly to your Stripe account) or Authorize.Net (earnings are deposited into your PayPal account, with a flat fee of $0.88).It integrates with Salesforce, Hubspot, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign and a dozen other applications. You can request a sample of how the tool works and then get a quote tailored to your needs.

3. Hopin

Hopin is an all-in-one tool that aims to replicate the experience and benefits of attending a conference without the expense and other obstacles such as travel, logistics and environmental impact. It is also adapted to run hybrid events.The platform allows meeting participants to connect online in new ways, exchange virtual business cards and get a summary of their connections after an event. During the event, it allows sharing presentations, chatting, creating individual rooms for private meetings, tracking attendee behavior to obtain metrics and performance reports, among other options. It also has an app to improve accessibility, offers the possibility of customizing the interface of presentations and sharing an event with up to 100,000 people, and has support in 10 languages.It has a free plan for up to 100 registrants (it charges 15% commission for each paid registration) and then offers subscription plans that start at €87.03/month.

4. Brella

Brella allows you to host all your event information: from speakers and multi-track agendas, to sponsors. Like other platforms on this list, it also features live chat, 1to1 meetings between attendees and sponsors (with ROI measurement), and a specific space for exhibitors, guaranteeing a cost-effective experience. It integrates with Hubspot, Eventbrite and Salesforce, and offers attendee engagement and behavioral metrics.Pricing starts at €3,000/event.

5. MeetMaps

MeetMaps has been organizing virtual events since 2013. From Barcelona they have created an all-in-one software to create digital events for all sectors. Among the functions it includes is to connect your streaming for the presentations with a fully customized and personalized platform; group chat and live voting so that participants can freely ask questions and make votes to the expert through their cell phones; private agenda with parallel sessions to streaming and 1 to 1 meetings by video to promote networking. In fact, this is the technology we have chosen to organize our NEXT Epayments event.In addition to traditional virtual events, it also offers 3D meetings in a customized space and virtual booths for exhibitions.

6. Virtway

With this tool you can organize any type of hybrid or virtual event, from small corporate meetings to massive trade shows. For Virtway, gamification is one of the most effective methods to attract people, so it considers entertainment to be an important element when organizing virtual events. Its platform allows interaction in a fun way with 3D avatars that can be configured and customized to the taste of each visitor. It even allows you to create a sponsored virtual world in line with your event. The platform's priority is to improve the user experience, with interaction and a good level of engagement.You can pay per event or per monthly subscription (from 10€/month, recommended for startups, SMEs and universities).

7. Accelevents

Accelevents takes the stress out of virtual and hybrid event management by offering event organizers an easy-to-use enterprise-grade event management platform coupled with the best support in the industry. Its highly customizable virtual engagement tools enable event organizers to effortlessly maintain high attendee engagement levels, while also empowering them to aggressively expand their virtual event footprint to national and global audiences.

With registration, live streaming, 1:1 networking, gamification, and in-depth analytics all in one place, hosting events has never been easier. Accelevents offers a mobile app, 24/7 customer support, and it integrates with CRMs and several applications.

You can pay per event or subscribe for unlimited events. Visit the Accelevents website for a free trial and to schedule a demo.

8. BlueJeans

With this tool you can organize and manage live interactive webinars, virtual town halls and events for large audiences (up to 50,000 participants and 150 presenters) around the world through immersive videos, Q&A, polls and rich moderator controls.It has a very easy to use interface, from where you can manage all the activity and is accessed from a browser, without the need to download any application. You can also access it from the mobile applications available for iOS and Android. It offers annual plans from 36,67€/month (up to 100 attendees).

9. Tu fabrica deventos

With the all-in-one software of Tu fábrica de eventos you can organize conferences, lectures, trainings, fairs and even "one to one" business meetings from home or your workplace. Among the options offered by the Spanish platform, you can create the event's informative website, automate tasks, manage the registration of participants, give access to your private area, visualize the contents issued online, generate automatic invoices for paid registrations and obtain advanced statistics. There is no limit to the number of guests and it has its own TV set that offers 360° sessions.You can hire the tool per event or pay an annual subscription.

10. ClickMeeting

With ClickMeeting you can hold conferences and large online events with multiple presenters and thousands of participants in the same virtual conference room. Among the tool's functionalities, we highlight the possibility of creating polls and surveys, sharing screens and desktop, tracking seminar statistics, recording the event or activating a chat, among many others.It integrates with applications such as Paypal, Zapier, Pipedrive, Hubspot and many others. It offers a 30-day free trial and then has different plans starting at 22€/month.

11. Cvent

Cvent offers comprehensive solutions for face-to-face, hybrid and virtual events, prioritizing the interaction of attendees with organizers, sponsors and exhibitors.With the platform you can create a personalized registration website, manage all content from one place, perform email marketing, combine live content with participation tools such as scheduling, questions, answers and networking, keep attendees connected through their browser or mobile device with the native event application before, during and after the event, make simultaneous and video-on-demand sessions with interactive tools, create a community with virtual appointments and collaborative sessions, and many more options.

12. Eventact

Eventact is an integrated solution for online and hybrid events with website, registration, ticketing, live streaming and networking. It offers you the possibility to create a customized website from templates and automatically generated basic content, which you can easily edit with drag and drop functionality. From there you can manage event registration, create forms and sell tickets.Allows participants to ask questions and share their ideas with presenters and other participants during and after conferences. You can also create meeting rooms for small groups and round tables, and share material directly from your video studio, VMIX, OBS, Zoom, YouTube, Facebook Live or Vimeo. Another option of this tool is to send push notifications, annotations and pop-up information to participants in real time, move them from room to room, conduct surveys, display offers from exhibitors and sponsors, measure audience participation and behavior, among many other options. You can pay per event (from 110,53€) or subscribe to the platform with unlimited events (from 87,54€/month).

13. Eventscase

It is a customizable all-in-one event management software that synchronizes different technologies needed to develop and promote virtual, hybrid and face-to-face events. No programming skills are required; the platform is easy to use and has a dedicated customer suppoet team.Eventscase is modular and supports any language. It offers more than 11 products that will help you manage, enhance the active participation of your attendees and improve networking. Among them, we highlight the check in and event apps, the badge generator, the customizable website creator, the 1 to 1 meetings, the possibility of broadcasting through your providers (YouTube, Vimeo and Zoom) or through its streaming platform with no session limit, live chat, direct private messages, surveys, among others.You can access one of their 4 packages (from 99€/month), or request a customized quote. It offers a 7-day free trial and free demos.

14. Events Wallet

This Israeli tool also offers solutions for online, offline and hybrid events. It allows an unlimited number of broadcasts, rooms and sessions, speakers and their documents, integrated chats and questions for speakers. There is also no limit to the number of participants or the duration of the event. In the case of exhibitors or sponsors, booths include company equipment, photo and video material, product catalog, documents with presentations and price lists. For each visitor and exhibitor, individual statistics are generated to evaluate the effectiveness of the event. The tool is available to users in the web version, as well as mobile applications for iOS, Android and the Wechat mini-program for Chinese audiences. Participants will be able to log in via a click or a QR code that is automatically generated for each activity.The cost of the platform depends on the number of exhibitors, sponsors and business program sessions.

15. Eventtia

Eventtia is a virtual, hybrid or physical event management platform that easily integrates with the vast majority of streaming tools. The platform centrally provides you with all the necessary modules for any type of event covering the entire processthe Pre: customized registration forms, mass-mailing, customized web page, payment integrations with PayPal, PayU and Stripe, discount coupons, online interaction space before the event with the participants.the During: presentations, parallel rooms, participant interaction systems, attendee list management, automatic determination of appointment spaces (tables or booths) for face-to-face meetings, surveys. and the Post: access to all types of metrics and surveys.

16. Hubilo

Hubilo is a cloud-based event management platform that helps automate the entire process, from registrations, tickets, networking to promotions with detailed analytics. All this from customizable workflows and various integrations with tools such as Hubspot, Mailchimp, Salesforce and Zapier, among others. It allows you to create multiple meeting rooms and lounges to engage attendees, run contests, live polls, chats, Q&A, use a matching algorithm to connect attendees based on their wants and needs, generate customizable event web pages, send personalized URLs, measure performance, monetize the event by integrating popular payment systems like Stripe and Chargebee, -which accept over 120 currencies-, and then perform billing and accounting on the same platform, among many other functionalities.

17. Inwink

Inwink is an event marketing solution that allows you to organize physical and digital events from an all-in-one platform offering a 100% branded online experience and collecting all participation data in real time. It allows you to create a responsive website with no coding or graphic design skills required; stream live, concurrent and repeat sessions; include chat, Q&A, live polls and online networking tables; customize forms and manage free registration or ticket purchases; create and automate personalized emails; automatically generate personalized badges for each participant, partner or speaker; scan QR codes; suggest a qualified list of leads to your partners and give them autonomy to meet and contact people; match participants according to common interests; integrate the platform with your CRM or marketing automation tools to synchronize event data, and many more options.

18. INXPO (Notified)

Among its multiple functionalities, the INXPO virtual event platform, acquired by Intrado, allows you to choose the type of space or venue that best suits the objectives of the event in question. Whether it is a lounge, a classroom, a foyer, a meeting room, an auditorium, etc. The spaces also adapt their dynamics to the events and can be configured for games or feedback surveys. Event organizers have at their disposal a universal space where they can configure everything in their own way or use a predefined configuration. They can integrate logos in the branding image area or ads in the advertising space. These ads can be linked to sponsors or other virtual spaces.

19. iVent

In addition to organizing virtual events, iVent specializes in hybrid events, which tend to work very well for product launches, large conferences or presentation-based meetingsThe process is fairly straightforward. The event promoter first organizes the physical event in the usual way. Then, on the day of the event, iVent technicians configure the online platform as necessary to allow remote attendees seamless access. All live event content can be recorded and stored for viewing after the event is over.In this type of hybrid event, iVent handles the filming and virtual integration. The video is streamed online and virtual attendees can participate in any discussion as they would if they were physically attending. In addition, both audiences can interact with each other as they would at a traditional event. They can view each other's CVs, send messages to each other, chat via audio or video, and participate in discussions. As for virtual events, attendees can log in via any device, the interface is fully customizable, delegates can interact, network and collaborate via live chat, direct messaging or video calling features built into the platform, interactive games can be played, exhibitor booths can be included, private meeting rooms can be created and real-time data can be collected.Prices per event start at €7,698.

20. Let's Get Digital

With this tool you can organize virtual and hybrid events starting with a landing page, mobile app and platform ready for you to customize and use. It also allows you to create websites or set up a custom branded app for iOS and Android to suit your needs.Among its many features, we highlight the ability to schedule individual or group meetings, connect participants with the smart pairing feature, send push notifications through the online platform or mobile app, use popular live streaming options and services such as YouTube, Twitch, Jetstream, Vimeo or through an iframe to showcase customized services, among others.You can also give your business partners the freedom to set up virtual booths with live streams, videos, online chat, meetings with availability calendar, downloads, social media links and much moreYou can pay per event (from £900), or subscribe for unlimited events (from £300/month).

21. MeetYoo

MeetYoo is a German company that organizes customizable virtual events of any size (up to 50,000 participants). For those meetings where there are several stands, each one will be designed according to the corporate image of the company.Among the features offered, we highlight the possibility of conducting individual or group chats, video chats, surveys or rounds of questions and answers, metrics analysis to evaluate results -either grouping visitors into groups or scoring each visitor individually-, breakout sessions, digital networks, interactive games, among several others.It offers 3 specific products for different purposes: MeetYoo Pro (fully managed premium service for virtual events, starting at £20,000/event), MeetYoo Go (self-service tool for virtual events, starting at £1,000/month) and MeetYoo Show (premium quality webcast with professional technical support, starting at £800/hour).

22. Remo

The peculiarity of Remo is that it is built by a team working remotely. With this tool it is very easy to create an immersive virtual space that allows people to communicate, connect and collaborate with each other as they would in real life.When the user enters a space in Remo, they will see a 2D top-down map of an event venue, virtual office, conference or school, filled with interactive "rooms". Each room hosts an always-on video chat for a room's occupants, making it easy for collaborators to jump in and out of conversations with ease.The application uses video, audio and chat to allow people within each room to interact in real time, from anywhere in the world. Each user has his or her own avatar, which can be moved from room to room by simply clicking on a space and interacting with people in the room.It offers a no-cost subscription with events of up to 30 minutes with up to 15 participants. Payment plans can be monthly (from €237.57) or per event (from €352).

23. Run the world

Run the World has executives and veterans from Facebook, Instagram and Amazon, and is backed by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, an early investor in companies such as Skype and Airbnb, among others. It is an online event platform designed for organizers, attendees, speakers and sponsors from around the world.It is an all-in-one platform (registration, streaming and analytics) with tools for live chats, debates and panels. It allows one-click access to each event without registration, 1:1 playback, live Q&A, and a branded interface. Ensures that the social aspect of your virtual event is not lost, with a virtual "cocktail party" option and an algorithm that matches attendees with other like-minded people based on questionnaires they complete before the event.It offers a free-to-use plan with unlimited events for up to 50 attendees. Paid plans start at €68.29/month.

24. vFairs

vFairs is a virtual and hybrid event platform that helps organizations reach global audiences. It offers extensive customization with features and integrations (Stripe, Salesforce, Zapier, among many others), 3D layouts, event performance reporting, access to exclusive lobbies, halls and virtual lounges, auto-matching profiles and various other options.It offers a free demo and then pricing is customized.

25. Vimeet

Vimeet is the platform of the Proximum365 group, a French leader in the organization of scheduled meetings. With this tool you can organize and monetize virtual and hybrid events. It offers HD live streaming, interactivity, attendee support, the ability to interact and upload presentations of all kinds, record the session, create unique registration paths for each attendee, scan business cards, add appointment rooms with full HD encrypted video, monitor the development of the event to generate performance reports, do B2B lead capture through premium events, and many other features.

The competitive advantages of holding virtual events

They are cheaper

Virtual events represent a considerable cost reduction for both organizers and attendees. On the one hand, there are savings on travel and hotels, and the organization itself does not have to worry about setting up a stand or looking for a physical space to hold the event. This also results in higher profit margins.

They increase the geographical area and the number of attendees.

They have no geographical limitations, so the events can be better spread around the globe and also have a more international character. In addition, their low costs mean that they can be held several times a year, which can increase audience loyalty.

Strengthen the network of contacts

It should be borne in mind that virtual events are more than just videos or online conferences aimed at a group of people. They are designed primarily to enhance networking, so that brands can strengthen their network of contacts to help them generate business opportunities.

Measurable in very precise results

Another of the great benefits of virtual events is that you can obtain very precise data on the attendance or the specific characteristics of the audience attending the event. Metrics that can be analyzed to improve, for example, future conventions. The best virtual event platforms are essential for this.

What are the best elearning platforms and why should you care? The global elearning market, according to Forbes, will grow to $325 billion by 2025, doubling its gains over the past decades.Already in 2015, 49% of learners worldwide reported having taken an online course in the last 12 months. Without going any further, just look back to 2020. The global pandemic brought with it major transformations, especially in education, where thousands of colleges and universities were forced to close their classrooms, causing more than 177 million students to be affected.This led to the birth of the elearning boom. A methodology that, despite already being used in some academic fields, increased considerably throughout 2020. Therefore, this new learning adapted to the digital environment is here to stay. It is not for less if we think about all the advantages that this new study alternative offers us.Below, we take this opportunity to explain what an elearning platform is and which the most prominent ones in this sector are. Read on because this will be of interest to you.

What is an elearning platform?

An elearning platform or online learning platform is a virtual learning space to facilitate the distance training experience for students. It allows the creation of "virtual classrooms" in which the interaction between tutors and learners, and the learners themselves, takes place.In addition, there are also evaluations, file sharing, chats, a wide range of additional tools, and participation in forums. Therefore, we could say that it is a classroom like any other center, but virtual and everyone connects from home or wherever they are.Within the elearning platforms we can find: free or open source and commercial or paid. Each of them consists of:Open source elearning sites: their license is public domain, so they can be developed and distributed freely. Some of them may involve maintenance costs.Commercial elearning platforms: in this case, the subscriber pays on a pay-as-you-go basis. This means that the license is paid for.

Compare the best elearning platforms available on the market

Looking for the best elearning platforms? You've come to the right place. Teaching an online course is one of the best ways to build a profitable online business.While setting up an online store is still a popular option for those who want to get involved in digital sales, online learning is growing at a rapid pace. The market is currently valued at approximately $190 billion USD, with an annual growth rate of 7%!Unfortunately, just knowing that your customers want to share is not enough. You need a way to cultivate that knowledge and place it in an environment where your customers can benefit from it. That's where elearning platforms come in.Today's best elearning platforms give you the tools you need to not only share your knowledge, but also to engage your students. Let's take a look at some of the best online learning tools you can access today when you want to make your voice heard.What makes an online learning platform great?But, how do all of these options work when it comes to teaching new skills to your audience?

Top online learning platforms

The following platforms aren't really designed for course creation. While you can partner with companies if you're already involved with a huge learning institution like Stanford, these solutions are more for students than teachers.

1. expertshare - best elearning platform
2. Coursera
3. Learning LinkedIn
4. CompetenceShare
5. EDX
6. "MOOC"
7. Udacity
8. Docebo

1. expertshare - Best online learning platform

Fully fledged E-Learning Platform System solutionsexpertshare allows you to build powerful fully integrated online courses all the way to creating virtual Bachelor’s & Master’s courses. With a full system from course creation, to student management all the way to creating online test for courses. expertshare allows you to create tasks and curriculum all from our web based platformPlatform used by thousands of usersOur e-learning platforms are used by thousands of users worldwide – a living proof that they work. We facilitate both e-learning and e-learning management, making sure you can reach internal employees as well as external, paying customers.Trainings or collaborative solutionsexpertshare helps you embrace various learning technologies, so you can share your expertise while letting others grow alongside your business. Customize every feature of our online e-learning software to suit the needs of your brand and accurately convey your message.Additional Features: Automatic certifications, multi-language, task creations, quizzes & exams.

2. Coursera

What makes Coursera different from the other tools we've reviewed so far is that it doesn't allow you to create and host your own online course experience with all the custom branding you love. Instead, you join a community and submit your courses to the elearning platform.Getting involved with Coursera as a creator is often very difficult. You have to approach the business as part of a business or online learning center. However, the good news is that there are many ways to learn on Coursera if you want to improve your knowledge.

3. Learning LinkedIn (formerly Lynda.com)

Learning LinkedIn is another fantastic course marketplace designed to help professionals accelerate and improve their skills. You can't be an online educator on this platform, but you can learn a lot. There are over 1,000 XNUMX business courses to choose from, on top topics from project management to web development.Linkedin Learning was known as Lynda, one of the leading digital learning solutions on the web. The company stands out by offering an easy-to-access environment for students. Plus, you can earn certificates that you add directly to your LinkedIn profile. If you are looking for a way to increase the value of your resume, LinkedIn Learning can help.

4. Skillshare

Skillshare is another solution for online education that takes a slightly different approach to sharing content online. If you're looking to teach your trade online, you can sign up for free with SkillShare and start creating various unique course experiences.Most Skillshare classes include video lessons, discussions and community projects. Rather than focusing on certificates and final results, Skillshare is about sharing their progress and getting feedback. This is great if you are involved in the creative environment.Unfortunately, the earning potential of Skillshare is pretty limited, so you're probably not going to make a fortune if you use this platform.Pricing: Free to start, but your earning potential is also very low.

5. EDX

EDX is another course solution similar in style to Coursera. It hosts many premium and free online courses designed for dedicated scholars. EDX offers customers many ways to consume educational materials, from XSeries programs that get to the heart of specific topics, to various professional certification programs.Compared to some of the other solutions on the market for online learning, the EdX experience appears a bit simple and low-tech. However, it's very clear how authoritative this site is. There are plenty of trust badges on the site showing that there are educators here from Berkeley, Harvard and more.Clicking 'like' Coursera, it's not really possible to launch a course on EDX unless you are part of a learning institution. However, you can access the EdX platform for businesses that allows you to teach and train other team members in your community. This could be a good option if you are looking for a new learning solution that does not involve in-person teaching for your company. Pricing: Not much of an option for course creators, as Edx will only work with other top educators.

6. MOOCs

On the other side of the EDX.org coin is Mooc.org.Massive Open Online Courses is a term often used to refer to free online learning opportunities that anyone can sign up for online. However, there is also a company called Mooc.org that functions as an extension of EdX. This solution basically offers a slightly different learning experience for Edx, with flexible tools for growth.Again, this isn't really an option for course creators, but you can use MOOC to find out about things like professional certificates and online masters if you want to expand your skills.

7. Udacity

Udacity comes to us from the Silicon Valley environment, characterized by renowned partnerships with Google and other tech giants. The focus here is on cutting-edge topics and machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies.While there are many ways to learn on Udacity, you can't launch your own online courses on the platform, which is a shame for course creators. This means that we can only really recommend this course solution as an educational environment for learners.

8. Docebo

Docebo is another LMS that is suitable only for partners. You can access Docebo for a small fee, starting at about $3.33 per user per month. However, this is for educational purposes only. If you want to launch your own learning solution through Docebo, you need to partner with the brand.One good thing about Docebo for business owners who want to access training for their teams is that the service is full of things like gamification and community collaboration. There's also a wide range of third-party integrations to explore.

Best online course platforms

Let's continue by looking at some of the biggest course creation tools available on the market today.

9. Teachable

Teachable is probably one of the most popular learning platforms to ever appear in the digital education landscape. The solution was initially created to solve the problems faced by other basic elearning marketplaces, such as limited branding, for example.Because of this, Teachable comes with many options to make it easy to customize your website. You can eliminate some of the more common cookie cutter templates provided with options like Udemy. Multilingual support is a plus for Teachable, as is the fact that you can access things like SEO, discussion forums, quizzes, and more. Engaging your audience is a breeze.Other features of Teachable include a drag and drop generator for your course delivery solution, support for a wide selection of files, and more.Ideal for: Teachable is ideal for those who want access to fantastic course creation features at a low price. The monthly rates are very reasonable, especially considering all the incredible features built in. In addition, the marketing and analytics are also excellent. There's even integration available with things like Ontraport, Mailchimp and lots of e-commerce tools too.Pricing: Starts at $29 per month for the smallest plan and goes up to $299 per month depending on what you need. A free plan is also available but is limited to 10 students

10. Podia

Podia is a solution designed to help build a site with as little work and effort as possible. It is designed to build your learning experience in digital downloads, online courses or membership sales.If you don't want to worry about things like e-commerce and selling from a traditional point of view, then Podia could be exactly what you need. It comes with a clean and easy to use interface, as well as a range of options to help you customize your site. Podia is simple for beginners, but it also has very limited functionality when it comes to advanced tools.Ideal for: The Podia experience is ideal for anyone who has found Gumroad and other competitors in the learning environment too complicated or too expensive. Podia makes sharing knowledge online as easy as possible.Pricing: Podia's pricing is pretty straightforward, with the Mover plan for $39 per month, or the Shaker option for $79 per month.

11. Thinkific

Thinkific offers a great experience compared to other course creation platforms for several reasons. First and foremost, its course designer is one of the most advanced on the market today. If you're not really a coding expert or have never used code before, Thinkific is a good choice.All the content you need to build a successful "education empire," as the company calls it, is available via a drag-and-drop editor. You can add your own branding to the mix, which is great for building a name for yourself online.To engage your audience, there are plenty of fabulous features such as downloads, quizzes, polls, discussions, etc. Also, unlike many competing online course platforms, the Thinkific solution is available to access for free initially.Ideal for: If you are looking for a way to design a new learning experience from scratch, Thinkific is the tool for you. With many great features for engagement and a handful of customization tools as well, Thinkific is a great choice for anyIdeal for: If you're looking for a way to design a new learning experience from scratch, Thinkific is the tool for you. With many great features for engagement and a handful of customization tools as well, Thinkific is a great choice for any business owner.Pricing: A free option is available to get you started, or you can pay for the basic platform at $49 per month. There is also a professional platform for $99 per month, or premier for $499 per month. If you need additional features, you can get add-ons such as the Growth package, or Thinkific Plus

12. Academy of Mine

Another brilliant elearning solution, Academy of Mine gives users access to an all-in-one solution for a personalized online course experience. You don't have to settle for one-size-fits-all experiences with Academy of Mine. One of the things that makes this solution so high quality is that you can really drill down into your customization options.If you need help getting started, you have the option to select a fully hosted template with galleries, landing pages, and offer pages. Academy of Mine is a solid choice, as the solution comes with a full course creation and learning management offering. There is also the ability to accept PayPal and credit cards when selling your courses.If you want to increase your chances of gaining learners, various marketing features are also available from the Academy, such as affiliate programs and email marketing.Ideal for: The Academy of Mine The solution comes with a complete learning management system, or LMS, so you really do get everything you need to create massive open online courses. If you're selling your course content upfront and want to make sure your brand is front and center, Academy of Mine can help with that. However, the price is quite high.Pricing: Prices start at $499 per month, but you get two months free if you pay annually. Additionally, there is a "professional" plan for $899 per month with additional development hours and features included. If you need a higher level plan, you will need to contact the team for a quote.

13. Teaching

Teaching is another elearning platform that aims to make selling online as simple and seamless as possible. With this amazing service, you can create and sell your online courses with no fees. Which is a huge bonus. No transaction fees means you can focus more on building your sales strategy as much as possible.Teaching comes with a bunch of features to help you get started, including access to unlimited courses, lessons and student access. There's also the ability to duplicate existing courses at the touch of a button and make changes using the platform's built-in live course editor.In addition to uploading PDF text and other content into your course, you can also embed video, audio, images, and slides. However, Teachery does not host your video, audio and other content for youIdeal for: Anyone serious about selling online courses will love the range of great tools Teachery offers. You'll have plenty of features on this platform, and you won't have to worry about transaction fees that reduce your earning potential.Pricing: Teachery pricing starts at about $49 per month, or $470 per year. This is the simplest pricing we've seen.

14. Ruzuku

Ruzuku is another leading online course solution that is packed with incredible features. For starters, course management for this service is quick and easy to understand. You can upload virtually any type of learning material to quickly sell to your customers. You can also help your customers track their achievements in your online training platforms with certificates and course milestones.One thing we particularly like about Ruzuku is the fact that you can give your customers a chance to really engage with their community. As they progress through the learning paths you set for them, your students can connect with other online learners in forums and chat.Plus, to enhance your engagement strategies, you can integrate Ruzuku with email marketing tools like Mailchimp and set up automated emails to let your customers know what's next.Ideal for: This is one of the best elearning platforms for those who want to connect with their learners on a deeper level. Different types of media are supported on the Ruzuku platform and you can run webinars as you wish. Ruzuku is also good for drip content delivery based on different schedules. You don't even need much technical knowledge to get started.Pricing: Ruzuku pricing starts at about $74.75 per month for the lower level and goes up to $125 if you pay annually. You'll pay a little extra if you use a monthly plan.

15. Udemy

Udemy is probably one of the most popular solutions we've seen online when it comes to selling learning courses. The solution has mixed reviews online, probably due to the huge amount of money you pay in fees to Udemy to help you attract customers to your online courses.However, while there are significant fees to consider, it's also worth noting that the Udemy online education network is unmatched in attracting sales opportunities. If you want your subject matter experts to be heard online, this could be one of the best online course platforms for you.With Udemy, you can create an online course using all the different types of media you like. However, you should keep in mind that Udemy will keep up to 50% of your earnings when they help promote the course you create to another student. However, if you earn students without Udemy's help, you keep the profits.Ideal for: If you're not sure about creating a website and selling your courses from scratch, Udemy might be a better choice for you. You will lose some of your revenue if you rely heavily on Udemy's help, but you can greatly increase your online presence with this service. Pricing: The Udemy platform is free (it's a learning marketplace), but you'll pay up to 50% of your sales to Udemy for every student the company helps you earn.

16. Kajabi

Kajabi is another truly market leading tool in the world of online course creation. If you are looking for the best elearning platforms, but also want something that will help you create sales funnels and landing pages, then Kajabi is the option for you.Perfect for those who want extra help converting their leads into paying customers, Kajabi offers everything from email marketing campaigns managed from your dashboard to integrations with top services like Active Campaign and MailChimp.Kajabi also offers a pretty solid blogging platform. It's not as great as WordPress, for example, but it offers a lot of features compared to some of the other blogging tools available on the web-based elearning platforms.Ideal for: Kajabi is a great choice for anyone who needs a sophisticated elearning solution. Appealing to solopreneurs, coaches and lecturers, Kajabi has a lot of incredible potential to offer, and it's also available at a relatively reasonable price. Most importantly, Kajabi is surprisingly beginner-friendly. You don't need to become a code expert to get started. There are templates to help you offer everything from ongoing training to membership products.Pricing: Prices start at around $119 per month, making Kajabi one of the most expensive options on the market right now. However, it's worth noting that Kajabi can prevent you from needing to access additional features and tools elsewhere, saving you money in this regard.

17. WizIQ

WizIQ is an easy-to-use and affordable solution for classroom and LMS software. Designed to make it easy to create online courses, WizIQ offers access to everything from tests and assessments for your customers, to e-commerce features and in-depth analytics.With WizIQ, you can create MOOCs to increase your revenue stream, enroll students from around the world, and create new sources of cash flow. There's also the ability to deliver live training, learn on the go via smartphone apps, and much more. You can create and sell your online courses via a comprehensive system, or you can manage a virtual classroom, which is ideal for things like teaching colleagues and internal partners. While this solution has many of the market-leading tools that we've covered when looking at other leading platforms, it's the little extras that set WizIQ apart.Things like the ability to deliver course content via smartphones and use an interactive whiteboard to demonstrate your knowledge to students are incredible. There are also many ways to engage with your students via chat, forums, and polls.Ideal for: WizIQ is ideal for the modern course creator who wants to stay ahead of the curve. You can access all the features you need with this solution to tutor clients online, train your partners and more. Plus, since the service comes with a free plan, it means it's very easy to get started.Pricing: There is a free plan available with the basics, or you can have a free trial and see how you feel about the software first. The average plan starts at $83 per month, which is quite reasonable for a premium service.

18. Learning

Learning is a popular online course platform that continues to grow in features and functionality. Used by countless major universities and Fortune 500 companies, Learndash offers many features and speed to course creators. The platform includes many of the tools associated with a traditional elearning site, including dripping content, rewarding learners and more.Learndash's pricing comes on an annual basis, which means it comes with discounts, but it also leaves you quite "locked in" to the environment. Learndash supports professional training opportunities, higher education, WordPress projects, etc. You can even issue certificates and badges to learners and access a range of engagement triggers to interact with your customers.One thing to note about Learndash is that it's available as a sort of WordPress LMS plugin, which means you can integrate it into your existing WordPress website. If you've already started developing your online presence and don't want to start from scratch, this could make Learndash a more attractive option for you.Pricing: Pricing starts at about $159 per year for a website. If you want to upgrade and have more websites to play with, you can pay $189 for 10 sites, which is a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, there is no free trial to get you started, so it's hard to test the functionality of this service before handing over your money.

Elearning, the Basis of Online Training

In the field of online training, elearning is the branch of distance education provided through electronic channels such as the Internet. It uses tools such as web pages, e-mail, discussion forums and instant messaging. Generally, these services are centralized in training platforms to facilitate student support during the teaching and learning process.In addition, as it is a massive and bidirectional teaching system, personal interaction is replaced by the provision of educational resources and tutorial organization to facilitate autonomous learning. With regard to its influence in the field of pedagogy, elearning is based on the change of the classical model of the teaching and learning process, since the teacher ceases to be the active part of the master class in favor of the student.In fact, the teacher becomes an online training instructor who provides the necessary resources or tools and solves the students' doubts.

Advantages of the best elearning platforms

• Personalized training without space and time barriers
• Active role of students and immersion in the web 2.0 environment.
• Facilitates the exchange of ideas, content creation and collective enrichment.
• Immediate in the search for information and constant updating.
• Allows internships in virtual environments
• It is more economical and generally requires less time.

Disadvantages

• Overcoming the technological barrier
• Requires more organizational work, planning and knowledge of ICTs
• Need for a technical production and management team
• The learner is responsible for his or her own learning
• Loneliness and isolation of the student
• Quality of educational material to avoid demotivation

Frequently asked questions

What is the best elearning platform?

Undoubtedly the best elearning platform is Moodle. It is open source and its usefulness is recognized by thousands of users who use it daily all over the world.

How to use elearning platforms?

The first step is to download them to the device to be used and you will be able to access the learning designs already integrated through a personal password. It is a private space with all the necessary tools to learn.

How many elearning platforms are there?

There are many other elearning platforms. In addition to those already mentioned, we can also find: Canvas, Sakai or LMS for WordPress, among others. These are the most used free elearning platforms.

Best LMS for Healthcare

A learning management system for healthcare is useless if it fails to provide your healthcare organization the adaptability it needs to train employees for the post-pandemic era. The problem with most healthcare LMS is that they offer generic answers to the unique challenges you face as a forward-thinking organization.

Contrariwise, the most effective learning management systems for healthcare are flexible enough to meet your changing requirements. Also, it should be a platform that humanizes digital processes through live and interactive events in online education. It needs to be a hybrid or cross-platform application that is as user-friendly as a conventional classroom.

Expertshare, the industry-leading LMS for healthcare, now provides an innovative hybrid solution to help you transform your organization's operations and staff training without sacrificing the patient quality of care. With this system, your team will be empowered to build modules for the medical staff without disrupting their workflow. Expertshare's versatility boosts users' knowledge and output equally. Request a demo to see how we can help your organization.

Expertshare Healthcare LMS Solutions

Since its inception, Expertshare has grown to become the industry-standard healthcare LMS. The platform's most valuable features are the software's accessibility and ease of use. You don't have to understand the underlying technical ideas and methods to use Expertshare in your company.

Using this service, healthcare business owners can provide their staff with regular training sessions, certification, and ongoing education. This is necessary to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies and business practices while complying with new regulations in the healthcare industry.

Expertshare, in a nutshell, serves as a condensed training program for all of your healthcare workers and educators. Like a traditional educational setting, it begins with a theoretical review of the course material, followed by exercises designed to put that material into practice. The e-learning platform also includes a testing component.

The leading healthcare LMS follows a similar concept, making a learning platform readily available and user-friendly to anybody with interest. Using the best LMS for healthcare for training purposes improves performance in the long run while providing a comprehensive solution for e-learning in healthcare. You need to fully understand what sets Expertshare apart from other learning management systems for healthcare and how its unique features compensate for the flaws of others.

How Expertshare Transforms Healthcare Innovation

Many innovations have been made in the recent decade to improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Telemedicine System is a one-of-a-kind robot that helps those who aren't getting the attention they need during their visits by keeping track of their medical records and vitals. The MelaFind optical scanner is one example of a recent advancement that aids doctors in making the call to do invasive biopsies.

These are only two of the dozens of new technologies appearing daily in the medical field. Your healthcare providers will not be able to provide top-notch treatment to their patients unless they are adequately trained to use these innovative new tools. The problem is that their daily schedules are always busy, leaving them little time to learn about these new developments elsewhere.

Expertshare, as the best LMS for healthcare, can aid in instructing your medical staff on the proper use of cutting-edge in-house technology. Your medical team will be able to continually improve their skills without having to waste time away from the office.

Healthcare businesses like yours value employee education because it helps them provide better patient care, adapt to organizational changes, and meet patients' expectations. You understand that the entire organization benefits when employees take healthcare courses on the Expertshare learning management system for healthcare.

Expertshare Unique Features and Benefits

• All LMS healthcare training reduces the time, money, and effort spent traveling to and participating in the in-person training. However, the Expertshare system allows multiple employees to be trained at once, which is unavailable on many healthcare LMS platforms. This is particularly helpful for healthcare institutions that accommodate different shift schedules.

• Trainers can organize training procedures anywhere and at any time with the help of Expertshare. Due to the dynamic nature of their work, doctors hardly have time to learn from the conventional classroom setting. Therefore, Expertshare provides them the platform to complete their education and training programs, either independently or with the help of a mentor.

• Expertshare LMS for healthcare provides information in line with current market needs. Healthcare professionals are accountable for the well-being of the people they serve daily, and as a result, they must continuously acquire new knowledge to provide high-quality treatment. Using an Expertshare LMS, you may create courses that can easily be modified to reflect the ever-evolving needs of your field.

• Copybooks, learning tables, maps, and posters are all examples of classic teaching resources found on Expertshare and are sure to be appreciated by both teachers and students. The platform gives students access to information through videos, links, PDFs, and other study materials. This boosts participation and accessibility by keeping all information in one place with easy accessibility to all users.

• Expertshare lets you design LMS healthcare training programs tailored to your organization's needs and goals. In addition, you can modify the already-existing materials to suit your needs, thereby raising the expertise of your staff.

• The platform's advanced tracking features provide the most detailed information on how well your staff has learned. Users can monitor their progress with each course on the platform seamlessly.

• Expertshare allows you to host multiple sorts of events and training efficiently. In turn, workers can acquire information in a manner most conducive to their learning styles.

• Appoint and register employees for LMS healthcare training courses based on a thorough understanding of each worker's strengths and weaknesses.

• With Expertshare, implementing a learning management system for healthcare couldn't be simpler. You don't have to be technologically savvy to use the platform. It's user-friendly and requires no training to master.

• Expertshare lets you leverage the knowledge you and your organization have previously amassed; making the material into instructional modules is a simple solution.

What sets Expertshare Apart as the Best Healthcare LMS?

Expertshare's functionality is the total of the capabilities that have made it the go-to e-learning platform in the healthcare sector. Here we'll go over the fundamentals of the Expertshare LMS:

• Social Wall
  Expertshare is unique among e-learning platforms in that it encourages participants to engage with one another in real time by sharing videos, comments, and other media related to the course material. The use of emojis and a direct reply feature for other users make the Expertshare e-learning system feel more personal.
  Pinning forthcoming events on the social wall is a great way to keep your healthcare staff informed and engaged. Expertshare is a helpful resource for medical facilities worldwide as it displays its e-learning courses and live events in various languages.

• Message
  With this functionality, your patients can have one-on-one conversations about any issue they're experiencing in your healthcare facilities. One of its features is the ability for students and teachers to have one-on-one discussions in certain classes. Users are not limited to one-on-one chats; they can form study groups specific to their courses and engage in conversations as if they were in a physical classroom. As a bonus, this function shows users' online status and who might be available for project collaboration or live chat.

• E-learning
  The courses offered by your organization's LMS healthcare academy at any given time are listed on the platform. All the information your medical staff will need to make the most of the opportunity to further their education is laid out for them, from course speakers and dates to module descriptions and required readings. Thanks to this functionality, users can monitor their progress in real-time. Additionally, they can start interesting dialogues with other students by commenting on posts made under specific courses. The course materials also include answers to frequently asked questions to assist students in grasping the material and gaining new perspectives. The e-learning component of Expertshare also lets you administer exams or create quizzes for each lesson.

• Live Events
  This function combines e-learning with live event attendance. Live events can be organized with Expertshare as part of the required work for completing course modules. By combining online and in-person instruction, this method provides hands-on experience to students and fosters student-teacher interactions.

• Document Hub
  Document hub presents a library of resources in various forms, including videos, PDFs, and others, for your Expertshare's healthcare academy LMS. Students can save these materials to their devices and read them at leisure. Moreover, they can also tag their teacher in a comment or inquire about a shared document on Expertshare.

• Video Library
  This feature offers supplementary video resources to keep healthcare professionals up-to-date on particular concerns and technologies. Expertshare, the best learning management system for a healthcare facility, prioritizes showing the most popular videos, but users can browse to find content that meets their specific needs.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  This section provides detailed responses to frequently asked questions about Expertshare. It elucidates frequent concerns while enabling users to make targeted support requests.

• Speakers and Attendees
  Expertshare lists the instructors and students enrolled in a class together or a virtual event. With this functionality, users can check the profiles of healthcare professionals they have chosen to contact and send them direct messages. They can also connect these professionals via their connected social media accounts.

• Question Board
  Use the Question Board, and the Live Events function for the best results. The four-column format gives users and attendees of live events a place to voice concerns or ask questions about the show. Moderator approval is indicated in the second column; rejection is indicated in the third if the query does not appear appropriate. The fourth column carries the responses to the questions.
  Besides, the question board function allows users to save or export the questions and answers from a live event as an Excel document.

Partner with Expertshare, the best LMS for Healthcare

In the healthcare industry, the consequences of insufficient training could be catastrophic. Fortunately, it's not too hard to develop and manage healthcare learning and training programs and fulfill your organization's needs with the best healthcare learning management system, such as Expertshare, in your arsenal. Increased employee engagement, capacity, and contentment will positively affect the efficiency and operation of your healthcare establishment. Unlike other healthcare learning management system platforms, Expertshare prioritizes efficiency informed by adequate and incremental education.

Care to learn how the Expertshare hospital learning management system can help you grow your staff capacity?

Request a demo now!

With the advancement in technology, the ways to deliver your message have also been simultaneously advancing and expanding. Therefore, professionals all over the world prefer hybrid events to convey their ideas to their audience. Hybrid events allow you to interact with your audience through a virtual medium. But, as mentioned before too, the world has been advancing, and so does the number of platforms providing the facilities to run your hybrid event. But there's a question that arises: "What are the best hybrid event platforms?" We will be honest with you that searching for the right hybrid events platform is almost equivalent to searching for a needle in a hay stack, considering the number of options. And here we offer you our services as we have narrowed down this search. In this regard, we are naming some of the best hybrid event platforms in our article today. Read this article till the end to get the most out of it.

10 Must-Try Best Hybrid Event Platforms In 2022

When you are dealing with professional matters, you always prioritize the smooth flow of your work. With that being said, you have to search out for those hybrid event platforms that guarantee or at least assure you a smooth streaming of your live video. We have crafted this article in such a way that you can be familiarized with the best-rated and reviewed platforms. Now, let's have a look at what we think are the best hybrid event platforms:

1. Expertshare

expertshare is the best hybrid events platform for online events. It is convenient for the user as it combines solutions for online conferences with live streaming, e-learning, and networking in one hybrid events platform and gives you a very interactive experience. It has its own pros and cons; let's discuss them below:Pros:

• It gives the facility of 3D Modelling Integration
• Data architecture for regulated enterprises
• They guarantee you high-level Security and end-to-end encrypted live streams
• It is the only hybrid event platform that combines E-Learning with Virtual Events
• It ensures the Interactive Attendee Options & Networking which also includes deep insight of attendees.
• It provides you with multi-language and multi-time zone functionality, which eventually makes it user-friendly.

Cons:

• There is no native version of this platform.
• The subscription prices are higher compared to other hybrid event platforms.

2. Communiqué Conferencing

Now, we have communiqué conferencing. It was launched in 2001, and as of 2022, it has an excellent rating of 4.5 stars. You're probably wondering about the reason we have mentioned it here and especially at the top of our list. There are multiple pros of this platform. Let's have a look.Pros:

• It’s an all-in-one webinar platform through which you can organize virtual meetings, conferences, and events.
• The professional tech team helps you out whenever you need it. They help you create the right tech stack to meet all of your virtual & hybrid event goals.
• The tech team helps you with industry benchmarks and the data infrastructure.
• They are fully committed to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our information systems and your data.
• They have invested a high proportion of their income in security to ensure that they exceed industry standards, applicable regulations, and your expectations.

Cons:

• No cons to this platform

3. Accelevents

Accelevents has an extraordinary rating of about 5 stars on SOURCEFORGE and multiple factors have elevated this hybrid platform to that level. You can organize a customized event through this platform. Interesting right? Let's have a look at the other interesting pros of this platform:Pros:

• It allows you to design a stand-out digital even environment that you can customize according to your brand.
• You don’t even need the codes to send out to your audience for joining purposes.
• It has an interesting Ticketing & Registering concept. You can sell tickets for your hybrid events, register attendees, and segment your audiences within minutes.
• Allows you to increase your revenue by delivering enhanced and measurable value to exhibitors and sponsors.
• This platform gives you other facilities like Gamification, Group & 1:1 Networking, and high Security.

Cons:

• High subscription prices

4. SpotMe Anywhere

We have another extraordinary platform to tell you about, SpotMe Anywhere. It also has an immaculate rating of about 4.5 stars on SOURCEFORGE; let's find out the reasons behind it.Pros:

• It provides you with a marketplace through which you can easily build end-to-end digital experiences that fit all your needs.
• Their tech teams are active 24/7 and give you a response within 5 minutes.
• Many multinational countries have been using this platform as they consider it reliable.
• It gives you stand-out options like Q&A, Applause, Live polling, Video breakout rooms, or one-to-one meetings.
• It provides you with data about every attendee like who attended, for how long, and how they engaged with your event.

Cons:

• Limited live broadcasting and breakout session functionality
• High prices
• No complete analytics about the attendees
• Backstage could be clearer to navigate for admins
• It doesn't give you full permission to edit the registration page.

5. Hopin

Let’s have a look at another hybrid event platform, Hopin. This platform has a rating of about 4.5 on SOURCEFORGE and about 13 positive reviews on that third-party website alone. It has many pros; let's explore them.Pros:

• Hopin allows you to create immersive virtual, hybrid, and in-person event experiences for your audience, irrespective of your location.
• This platform helps you in producing professional, reliable streams, easily leveraging StreamYard's innovative broadcast studio.
• You can promote your event with customized and user-friendly landing pages designed to drive registrations and ticket sales.
• It allows you to efficiently set up in-person events with all the best and easy-to-use tools.
• You can optimize your personal experience of this platform with best-in-class capabilities like badge printing and lead retrieval.

Cons:

• It’s expensive
• The audio and video quality can be lacking in quality in breakout rooms
• No virtual backgrounds capability
• It doesn't give you full accessibility on all devices or browsers.
• You get limited white-labeling and on-demand capabilities.

6. BroadcastMed Digitell

Digitell claims that they are a Solution for Every Event Strategy and for sure, they have got their right reasons to make such a bold statement. Digitell is an award-winning hybrid event platform, something which enhances and boosts the credibility of such a platform. This platform assembles and conveys a large number of virtual and hybrid events, online classes, and on-request instructive meetings.Pros:

• The Digitell platform is a vigorous, adjustable platform intended to address the issues of affiliation, corporate, government, and for-benefit occasion coordinators.
• The accomplished hybrid and virtual events group will work with you to create your event and flawlessly associate your worldwide crowd with the adaptable and customized platform.
• Easy to use and versatile, this foundation makes an unrivaled encounter for your audience every time you decide to use it.

Cons:

• It is quite expensive compared to other platforms.

7. Canapii

Another 5-star-rated with numerous positive reviews over the internet, Canapii holds a strong position in the world of hybrid events platforms. It’s your digital solution for all types of virtual events, conferences, and meetings.Pros:

• It provides you with an interference through which you can create engaging and interactive events and help you streamline your event more efficiently than ever.
• It provides you with detailed insights into the event's performance.
• They prioritize your event success over anything; therefore, their tech team is always active to help you out when needed.
• Leading multinational brands have left positive reviews about their experience with Canapii.

Cons:

• Sometimes it takes too long to even start transmission or playback.
• Messages about incompatible browsers or drivers also appeared
• You also need to invest some time to figure out how it works

8. Samaaro

You can start on Samaaro by creating a free showcase booth, and you can have a free ride on this platform as it also offers a free tour to their new customers.Pros:

• Big brands like Huawei, google HSB and Deloitte are some of the loyal users of Samaaro.
• It also helps in the virtual launch of well-known brands and events like the Garnier Men Product Launch, ILD Radiology, PPGAP, and many more.
• It gives you exceptional options like Immersive 3D spaces, End-to-end Customization, Unify Virtual & In-person Events, trade shows, exhibitions, and many more.

Cons:

• No cons

9. vFairs

When we tell you that brands like P&G, Unilever, Nestle, and T-Mobile have used the vFairs platform, you can get an idea of the credibility of the platform. It’s the top-rated hybrid event platform on websites like G2 and Capterra.Pros:

• vFairs claims to expertly manage your physical events and elevate attendee experience with their experienced tech team and vFairs in-person events technology.
• It provides you with robust features, end-to-end project support, and a global reach for every type of online event that you may want to organize.
• Other features like the Q&A section, polls, and many more that this platform provides you with during your webinar, help you to be more interactive during the live stream.
• The immersive virtual environment set by vFairs makes your audience feel like they are at a physical venue and having a conversation with you in a face-to-face setting.
• It also has a distinctive feature like a matchmaker and allows you to have all the relevant information about the event attendees.

Cons:

• High prices
• Complex to operate for event organizers
• It’s not preferred for academic conferences
• Concurrent live sessions can be problematic.

10. Airmeet

Another efficient hybrid event platform entrusted by multiple multinational brands, Airmeet, is one of the platforms that you must try. Considering its stand-out features, let’s have a look at the pros and cons.Pros:

• Airmeet allows you to access an event, meeting, or conference from anywhere. Therefore, it allows the attendees to have a very interactive experience.
• Another feature of this platform is that it helps your event sponsors and exhibitors stand out and drive their connect rates by 3X.
• You can contact your favorite apps with this platform, and even If you are an attendee, you can increase your ROI by being the most interactive out of all fellow attendees.
• Airmeet ensures high support from their tech teams to make sure everything is running smoothly in the backend. Even if you feel like you need some help at unusual times, they provide you with a 24/7 service.

Cons:

• Lack of support/communication from the vendor
• It doesn’t work on mobile & other compatibility problems.
• There can be occasional technical challenges in the social lounge, especially with audio dropping, that produce a negative experience for some users.

Final Thoughts:

We have now come to the conclusion of this article. All of the above-mentioned platforms are distinctive in their own way. Most of them use features that are unique and make them stand out in the market. But one thing that is common in almost all of them is their support by the tech teams and their guarantee of security during an online event. And another factor that we get to see in all of these above-mentioned platforms is that they all compete to provide you with the most interactive event, meeting, or conference.In order to increase the interactivity between the attendees and the host, they all come up with interesting features and tools like live questioning and live polls, etc. Therefore, you should choose the event platform that is the best hybrid events platform for you personally. One that gives you the highest level of interactivity with the audience like expertshare. You should also have information about the attendees of your event. That’s how you will be able to measure the success of your event.

There is a wide range of virtual networking ideas that companies can choose from. It is important to select an idea that fits well with the attendees, so that they feel comfortable and actively engaged during the event. In this article you will learn what is virtual networking, benefits that virtual networking brings you, what is significant in virtual networking events, the right introduction of virtual networking ideas, and 4 virtual networking ideas you can easily adopt.

What is virtual networking

The process of forming a mutually advantageous relationship with other people, future clients or consumers during a virtual event is known as virtual networking. The intangible benefits of engaging with other experts in or related to your field are known as virtual networking benefits.

Networking activities often produce the best outcomes. There are numerous other benefits to networking, the most significant of which is the opportunity to share expertise.

Virtual networking is no exception. It is done on a virtual networking platform, like expertshare, where attendees can connect with other like-minded people virtually.

Benefits of virtual networking

To reap the benefits of a virtual network, you must first understand what business networking benefits you can obtain and how they can assist your company in increasing sales, increasing efficiency and morale, and increasing brand awareness.

Virtual networks offer companies a variety of benefits to have a positive impact on their businesses, employees, as well as business partners. It also makes it easy to build relationships with new people globally. Additionally, you can strengthen the already existing relationships between business partners and colleagues.

Thus, virtual networking helps to:

• Build mutually beneficial relationships with like-minded people
• Maintain contact with existing business partners and colleagues
• Communicate with people who share your interests
• Establish contact with new business partners
• Collect additional information and viewpoints
• Strengthen employee loyalty and morale
• Assist in the sales of products
• Increase Brand awareness

What is significant in virtual networking?

Purposeful virtual networking has many benefits. It brings individuals and companies together, allowing for effective collaborations and breakthroughs. However, not all networking events are successful. Understanding your potential attendees and using engaging networking event ideas to organize and execute the entire event is essential to hosting an interesting virtual event.

Moreover, if you're not cautious, these virtual events can deteriorate into boring, one-way lectures, with lots of attendees nodding off or scanning their phones! Without prompts to encourage attendees to mix, they may wind up keeping in their own social bubble, chatting with people they already know.

The right introduction of virtual networking ideas

What is important in virtual networking is to provide a space where your attendees feel comfortable. To be successful, event planners must think of new ways to make such gatherings as engaging, entertaining, and fruitful as possible. Therefore, each attendee should always have the opportunity and motivation to actively participate in the event.

Before the virtual or hybrid event, you should decide what you want to achieve with the event. The question of what impression you want your event to leave on your attendees is essential because it will help you to strengthen your relationship or the relationship of your attendees with each other, and thus strengthen the cooperation to achieve your goals.

Event planners should also convey what essential features will be available and provide instructions ahead of time as a best practice. Attendees will be able to acquaint themselves with the platform ahead of time, and fully utilize the features that will assist them in achieving their event objectives.

Read also: How to host a virtual networking event

4 Virtual Networking Ideas

Here are 5 simple virtual networking ideas that are easy to replicate on expertshare, and can be hosted without the need for any additional equipment:

1. Personal 1:1 chats or video calls

One-to-one conversations can be more meaningful as it helps you connect more deeply than when you are in a group. For example, attendees can be randomly paired and have five minutes to exchange ideas. After that, they are randomly paired again, and are given five minutes again. To give the conversations more fire, the time can be reduced with each conversation. The second one could be four minutes, then three minutes, and so on. In this way, the time adds momentum and more liveliness.

It is best to start these one-on-one conversations with guiding questions to break the ice at the beginning and have a specific intention for the conversation. You can base these leading questions on what the goal of the event is. They can be personal questions, for example, to improve the relationship with each other, or business questions to find new innovations for the company.

Another example is that attendees can choose who they want to connect with and make this connection spontaneously.

2. AI powered matchmaking for targeted connections

Virtual events are designed to deliver a specific message, interact with potential attendees, expand connections, improve engagement, and generate more leads and income. It's not easy to sift through hundreds or thousands of individuals at an event to find the ideal prospect with whom to continue interacting.

AI matchmaking aids in the discovery of the most appropriate attendees for the user's interests at the event, allowing them to communicate with them further. It also saves time by identifying the most relevant matches and facilitates networking through virtual gatherings. Attendees can then hold real-time conversations and communicate with appropriate attendees using the chat or video features mentioned above.

Knowing your attendees' interests and objectives before the event can be incredibly beneficial to you as an event organizer. And this is exactly what the targeted connections technique does. Prior to the event, you send out a brief survey to each of your attendees. Questions on the form can help you learn more about their background, interests, and why they are attending the event.

You can then use those responses to match them with potential attendees, using AI powered matchmaking, then send them this customized list of 8 to 10 persons. This method is especially useful if your attendees are pressed for time, and you have a long list of attendees.

3. Virtual roundtable

Roundtables are created by separating guests into groups of five or six in different virtual breakout rooms. These gatherings are a great method to get people to communicate, brainstorm, and work with one another. It allows users to meet multiple people at once, minimizing the need to divulge personal information on a one-on-one basis.

A successful roundtable, therefore, needs careful organization in terms of who to group with whom. It also needs an engaging moderator who continues to provide intriguing cues and questions for each virtual table to use to get to know one another better.

4. Gamification

The process of incorporating game aspects into non-game situations, such as virtual events, is known as gamification. Games are a great approach to educate and engage attendees, at the same time encouraging them to feel like they're part of a wider community while also earning prizes and badges.

In virtual event contexts, maintaining engagement is an ongoing problem. It's much easier to zone out when attendees aren't physically present. Plus, distractions in our homes and the constant urge to check social media notifications make staying focused and attentive much more difficult.

If you're going to gamify, make sure you have a plan and a strategy in place. If you want to enhance attendee engagement during sessions, for example, gamification components like in-session polling, and trivia questions could be useful.

In order for your virtual event gamification to be successful, attendees must grasp the rules and awards in order to be motivated to participate. Create curiosity in the build up to the virtual event, explain how it works and how participation will be rewarded. To encourage attendees to participate, make it obvious what they will gain or lose by doing so. (This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with sponsors for prizes if appropriate.)

Make sure your speakers and presenters are engaged as well. Integrate scavenger hunt clues and trivia questions into their presentations, and they'll be paying attention more than ever before.

Leaderboards should be a part of your event gamification plan. Automated leaderboards, or at least sporadic updates on the top leaders during a live event, can promote competition by letting attendees know where they are in relation to other participants.

Virtual event planning is a strategic mapping that covers pre-production, communication, and post-event since an online event can generate amazing results. But those who think that creating a virtual experience is much simpler than the face-to-face one are wrong. In the online environment the challenges are different. The attention to investments, technology, and especially the expected return from the event, are essential factors to achieve success in this type of project.

Since the entire experience is virtual, then the investment and care with technology must be even greater. A well-done strategy is necessary if you truly want to maximize your working hours in the production of an online event because it will incorporate all of the event necessities in an organised manner. Let's get started with the steps, shall we?

The 3 stages a virtual event planner needs to consider

With so many tasks that the production of an event requires, organization becomes a decisive factor to have good results. For many things there is no formula, but for a good virtual event production there is, and it is called strategic event planning.

We will divide the stages into pre-event, production and communication, and post-event. It is worth saying that they do not happen in a linear fashion, there is always room to revisit the planning even when you are in the production stage.

In serial events, the data collected after a first live event, for example, can change the planning and production of the following editions. Each professional virtual event planner has his own way of planning events, and we have separated here the main steps for a successful online event.

1. Pre-event: The beginning of virtual event planning

The starting point of virtual event planning is to define the purpose of the event, the target audience, and the message you want to convey to the participants. To help you with this task, you can use the Golden Circle methodology, which guides you to start defining the identity of a piece of content by the "Why", then the "How", and finally the "What?".

It is worth formatting a briefing about the event to help you guide through all the tasks and ensure end-to-end alignment. In this step, you should detail:

• Target audience
• Size and type of event
• Event format: online or hybrid
• Day, time and duration of the event
• Choice of speakers
• Definition of the team, roles, activities and responsibilities
• Survey of the logistics necessary for the execution of the event
• Detailing of the technological needs
• Each type of event has its own particularities, however, these tasks above are common to all

If it is a hybrid event, it is in this phase that the choice and contracting of a comfortable place for those who will be in the face-to-face part will take place. Other details such as food, transportation, reception, and accommodation must also be provided.

Schedule

Every event producer knows the importance of having a thorough schedule, which is updated as the activities are carried out and unforeseen events occur.

Make a detailed reverse schedule and update it daily.

The reverse schedule is a strategy to organize the tasks starting always from the day of the event and counting backwards the time needed to complete each task. This way you can organize the tasks and ensure that everything goes well on the day of the event.

Your schedule should also include all the meetings that will be held, whether with sponsors, suppliers or internal staff. It is important that each meeting has a well-defined goal, that it is short, and that it has minutes, so that everyone involved is on the same page.

Consider holding daily meetings with the operational team, especially days before the event is scheduled to take place. And don't forget to plan the rehearsals!

Budget

Budget planning is a delicate point, but with organization it is possible to allocate the available resources well. To be assertive, highlight in your virtual event planning the needs that cannot be waived. Infrastructure and marketing are at the top of the priority list, so start thinking about these demands that usually involve the biggest investments.

Always make a cost-benefit analysis because some decisions can optimize your resources. For example: would you rather hire multiple tools for video, email, Hootsuite, and content hub, or invest in a platform that combines these and other services in a single virtual event platform like we offer here at expertshare? Somtimes, saving money on certain areas isn't always the greatest strategic option, because integrated solutions, already in a platform, tend to optimize time and make management easier.

In addition, consider ways to attract sponsors and other supporters, as they can increase the event's value without affecting the budget you already have. Ticket sales can also be another way of receiving revenues, providing they fit the event's proposition.

When you list everything and detail it in the strategic planning, you get a broad view, and this is fundamental for good decision making.

The day of the event

On the day of the event, attention to detail must be doubled. In other words, you must test everything, try to foresee the unexpected, and solve all problems. The focus is to make sure that everything goes according to plan.

The technological infrastructure and the way the event is conducted are crucial in online events, since it is easier for participants to disperse when they lose interest or face technical problems.

So, check in advance:

• the quality of your speakers' internet;
• the audio and video capture, considering microphone, camera, scenery and possible noises
• the accesses to the transmission platforms;
• who will moderate the chat.

In addition, it is essential in virtual event planning to have immediate support for any unforeseen event.

2. Production and communication of the event: invite your audience!

This is the stage where the production of the event actually happens. Consider that the speakers are confirmed and the main decisions have already been made. It is time to organize the technical details and structure the marketing plan.

Depending on the audience profile and the message to be transmitted, invest in actions to invite people interested in your content. There are a number of digital marketing strategies that will make your event a success

Some of them are:

• Postings on social networks;
• Running ads;
• Creation of a dedicated Hootsuite profile;
• Targeted email marketing to attendees.
• When choosing content, focus on conveying a message that passes perceived value, because you need to generate desire and thus stimulate people's participation.

It is at this moment that you must define what the engagement strategies and interaction tools for the public will be. It is worth betting on dynamics, interactive and collaborative content. It is very important that the participants feel connected to each other by a common interest.

3. Post-event: Time for data analysis

Event over... The work is done, right? Negative! There are still some very important activities that, once done, will indicate whether the event was good or not.

During the event, a lot of data is generated and they are the basis for analyzing the performance of the attractions and the content. It is at the end of the event that the analysis of indicators begins, with the aim of evaluating results such as ROI or ROO.

However, there are other metrics that can guide future actions:

• Number of participants;
• How was the behavior of the public: did they engage with the proposed activities? Was there interaction in real time?
• Were the day, time and duration of the sessions assertive?
• Were the contents and the form of communication well accepted by the public?
• For how long and on which pages did the participants browse?
• Was the format chosen for the event ideal for the company's niche?

There are other analyses, even of a more qualitative nature, with analysis of the public's behavior with the contents and awareness on social networks.

Other important points to be considered in virtual event planning

Branding

When we talk about branding, or brand management, it is not only about a visual identity aligned to your concept, but the ideas associated with it. In other words, a set of elements that will transmit the personality of your event.

This is the moment when you will relate directly to your audience, offering them an experience with your brand. And that experience needs to be memorable!

Applying the 4 vectors of branding to virtual event planning and events, we can describe them as follows:

Product

Your product is your event and what you propose to deliver with it: lectures, debates, international attractions, market trends, business opportunities, networking, innovation.

Each result generated through actions and activities can be considered as a product originated from your event

Environment

What is the best place to organize your event? Choose a city and a location that will attract participants and provide sensations aligned with the objectives of your event. If it is an international congress, for example, a touristic and easily accessible city has great chances of bringing a larger audience.

On the other hand, a sales convention, which usually has mandatory attendance and brings dense content, can be more motivational if held in a hotel or resort. That's why, with the product and the audience well defined, you have halfway to a good choice of environment in this event planning process.

Besides the venue, the structure itself must reflect the values of the event. The decor, lighting, and even the type of food offered make up this environment.

Communication

A fundamental point for people to know about and want to come to your event is to have good communication. The public needs to know what your event is about and why it is worth attending it.

This starts with the right choice of a visual identity: colors, fonts, textures, symbols, and images must reflect the values of the event and the brand(s) involved. And this identity must be cohesive in all materials and points of contact with the public: website, invitations, promotional materials, uniforms, social networks, emails, and applications.

Just as important as visual identity, the definition of the persona will help you establish a language, a tone of voice, the best terms, content, and channels to communicate with your audience.

This is a vital point in virtual event planning.

Behavior

Is your staff oriented on how to interact with your audience? The least that is expected is efficiency and good will, but what other attitudes will bring your public closer to your brand, once again making the experience memorable?

Strategy

With clear objectives, understanding of the public, and conceptualized branding, it is time to move on to strategy, which is in practice your action plan.

And here, coherence is the watchword. Your choices must be aligned with everything that was previously identified and defined. How do you intend to generate value for your public, keeping in line with your identity and targeting your goals?

On your website, or in any promotional material, highlight the main attractions for your audience. Is the goal to disseminate scientific content? Publish the abstracts of the papers. Is the goal to generate business? Publicize your exhibitors. Is it motivational? Give voice to the participants and allow them to share their moments in the event.

Is your goal to promote networking? How do you generate value for these participants?

Who is your exhibitor's target audience? Where will you advertise your event to find this audience? Are your communication channels being effective? How do you evaluate this?

All these questions should be raised during your virtual event planning strategy phase.

Conclusion

We have seen that good virtual event planning is complex and considers numerous variables so that you can, in the end, achieve your goals and offer a memorable experience to the participants. All of this while adhering to a schedule and respecting your budget.

The journey is arduous, but extremely rewarding when you can see everything come out exactly as you expected.

The idea here was to bring just a few insights. What do you think of this article? Does your company organize and have other event planning steps? Let us know if you need help and we'll organize your event for you.

But if you are adding knowledge to start organizing your events, read our article "Virtual Event Production - The complete guide" with all the steps that involve the production of a successful event.

What is the best hybrid event platform? Before we get to the answer, let’s get into the details, first. Hybrid events have become the means of choice when it comes to creating events with lots of participants and a high entertainment factor. This mix between a live in person event and a virtual event is quite new and before the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid events were rather a niche than something that was widely adapted. In the meantime, this has changed completely. E-learning on the other hand, has been part of people’s lives for over a decade and many e-learning platforms have built thriving businesses from the growing demand of online education in the form of courses. Both forms have lots of benefits individually but what if you could combine these benefits? Then any platform which could offer both of these in one platform would be at the top of the hybrid and virtual event scene. expertshare offers exactly what one of the best online learning platforms has to offer.But let’s explore the benefits of this type of combination between a hybrid event and an e-learning platform, first:

Easy access to content files from previous hybrid and virtual events

One big advantage is that you'll never again have to transfer any file from one platform to another in order to make them available for your e-learning classes since there is a shared library of videos and documents. And it’s also not necessary anymore to upload files from your e-learning platform to your virtual or hybrid event platform. This easy access and the fact that you don’t have to upload anything twice, gives you time savings as well.

Use the content from hybrid events for certifications

If you are organizing a hybrid event, a lot of thoughts are going to be put into the selection of the speakers and the content that should be presented. Instead of wasting this potential by not recording it or by just making it available to the participants, why not re-purpose it and put it online as content for e-learning? In this way, it can even be used to get certain certifications only if the learner has seen a certain piece of content from a hybrid event and if he or she can answer a couple of questions about it afterwards. But what else can be done with the content?

Re-purpose the content from virtual & hybrid events

The recordings of your event represent a virtual goldmine of opportunities to reuse this content in different ways and the clips add highly targeted and relevant learning content to form the foundation of your e-learning webinar series. In other words: Virtual events and hybrid events alike, present an opportunity to curate a collection of great educational video content.That’s why it makes sense to turn your video content into a short and focused webinar series which could be on a very specific subject. And when you’re adding additional learning resources, such as a downloadable workbook or other collateral material, you will get free e-learning material that doesn’t need a lot of effort to be produced. You can just package it up and monetize the small series with member and non-member pricing. You now have a great educational package which you can monetize 24/7 and 365 days a year to your e-learning community.

Create 4-minute snippets for YouTube with valuable information or insights

If your speakers are well-known the content they are producing is getting plenty of attention. They are usually the ones that are attracting the majority of the audience to your event. The large number of followers should be used to create a lot of interest in your event by uploading short snippets of their speeches to YouTube. Since it is attracting their own followers, the engagement on YouTube will be really high which will make the video more and more popular also with non-followers. Meaning, the reach will be huge and you might be seen by everyone in the industry.This gets you new students for your e-learning courses and participants for your hybrid and virtual events without much effort at all.

Publish the content as a podcast

More and more of us are tuning to podcasts to get the latest tips, tricks, and best practices. And with all of the content that you’ve accumulated from your virtual event, it’s time for you to do the same. Podcasts are a great way for you to reach out to new audiences across the many podcast platforms out there. And to do this you simply need to turn all of the high-quality recordings that you’ve captured from across the event into audio clips and podcasts.

Transform your hybrid or virtual event into a series of articles

As much as we try and disperse into other forms of content, blogs are always the most popular option. And they are very important with regards to SEO. Across the event, you’ll have a variety of different content clusters that cover your main topic, and all of these will provide you with plenty of material for blog posts. It’s also worth considering the topics that resonated especially well with your audience, as this is what they’ll want to see, and it provides a great starting point for any further content that you want to publish in the future.Tip: Another great way to drive traffic to your website is to encourage guest posts from your speakers. This can be anything from a follow up on what they discussed to a step-by-step guide of how to turn their ideas into actions.

Use info graphics to present the online event insights

Info graphics are a great way to pull out the most insightful and interesting snippets of stats and valuable information (which there should be plenty of). many of these infographics have gone viral in the past and created a lot of traffic for the publisher. Go through all of the recordings and find any memorable content that can be used as posts across social media. This is a great way of recycling valuable content from your event to keep your audience engaged. Make sure that this information is aligned with the event and your brand. And remember to make it visually appealing and highly shareable. All of this repurposed content can be used in your e-learning courses and exams to create a mix of different forms of content. This will make your students more engaged and they will enjoy learning even more.

Cost & time savings by using just 1 platform

This, of course, is the most obvious benefit of combining 2 platforms into 1: You don’t have to pay for both of these individual platforms anymore. This will give you significant cost savings. Moreover, it will save your students time as well since they don’t have to learn the ins and outs of 2 different platforms. Reading all of these manuals and watching hour-long videos just to find out how a certain platform works, is something that most people would rather like to skip completely.

More interaction for your e-learning students

You don’t want to organize an event which people would find boring, right? That is why an interactive layer is needed as well and it is where actions occur over the visual background. This is where the flexibility and the power of the virtual events software come into play. What are examples of interactive elements virtual attendees can engage in:

• Watch webinar presentations
• Participate in live streaming videos
• Talk with peers in group chats
• Share content on social
• Download content
• Request meetings/demos with staff

Of course, these are just a few of the activities you can offer for virtual attendees. You can take it to the next level and gamify the experience as well. Games like treasure hunts or fun prize giveaways can be tied to these actions, creating more energy and interactivity for virtual participants.

Dual use of the content created for e-learning and hybrid events

Many businesses have already started removing physical events entirely from their agendas or are at least are integrating virtual events into their physical ones. This is done to encourage training, development and even on-boarding procedures. The materials used during these events can be used internally and externally for customers and partners or they can use them as product training to educate the sales team. A virtual conference platform and the use of webinars offer virtual learning experiences which can educate employees using presentations on important topics. Business owners will love you for this because not only is it cost-effective to them, it also saves their employees lots of time which they can use more productively. By means of a virtual event, it is possible for the participants to talk directly to the experts and they don’t have to wait for a response. Students are not bound to a strict schedule but can learn at their own pace and can organize their schedule by themselves, removing the stress factor from them.

Train and assess applicants

Moreover, for recruiting, the use of virtual events is a great way to train and assess potential applicants and if they are suitable full time employees for the companies that are looking to fill their job positions. And it is not just in the area of job offerings that virtual and hybrid events can shine. Several education organizations have been adding virtual events even to their official curriculums. This is done to offer students more engagement with interactive and highly immersive learning sessions. Using a great virtual conference platform like expertshare’s, they can participate in discussions, no matter if it is in real time or on-demand. The best thing is that they can reach highly knowledgeable experts at any time. The location is no longer a deterrent.By means of video chats, students can easily engage in cultural and social events and meet other students in a very relaxed and fun way.Virtual events enhance e-learning by offering the following tools:

• On-demand or live content connects learners from anywhere in the world. Content can also be customized and branded to corporate standards and learner journeys.
• Gamification can be used to motivate individuals and teams while you can also assess and track their progress.
• They give access to content repositories for students. This way, they can do in-depth research and study independently whenever they have a project.
• There’s built-in reporting and analytic tools to which allow you to track certain aspects of the virtual event attendee participation and progress.

The experts at expertshare recognize how valuable content is to the success of any learning environment and collaborate extensively with administrators and educators to provide supreme learning management solutions. expertshare’s extremely flexible, Our virtual platform can be 100 % customized to any personal vision imaginable. If you need more information on how you can get started today, contact our event planners and virtual environment specialists at expertshare today.

Virtual & Hybrid Events As E-Learning Platforms

It can already be predicted that many conferences and events will become online learning platforms and the educational content will become available at any time - no matter what the schedule or location of the students is. Many e-learning platforms are using a lot of different means to promote the content that is available. One of the best known is a special price or a sale whenever there is a special occasion like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Often, the courses and learning materials are available for a tenth of the original price or even less. This is something that e.g. the e-learning platform Udemy is well-known for. And it’s not just the case with computer programming courses or how to use a certain piece of software.The pricing and promotional styles are numerous and you have to choose what style you personally prefer. It is also dependent on the length of the sessions and how popular the speakers are. This means, you also need to be aware of the motive behind holding your virtual or hybrid event, what do you want to achieve? Do you want to promote your speakers or your brand or do you want to make people aware of the skill sets that you possess in order to push your product and service sales?

Key Takeaways

• Use your strengths - If your virtual or hybrid event is going to be an academic one, market it that way! Use the jargon and style that your attendees would expect.
• Easy pricing structure - Not all pricing models will work for your virtual event but a per-session price makes the value of your session obvious.
• The quality of the production matters - You may not have the high definition lenses, but just by using the right camera angles (close ups!) and lighting (lots!), it helps a lot in showing off your speakers.
• Make your speakers shine - You need to prove that your speakers are experts in their field with more than just their job titles. Tell the world about their achievements and why they really matter directly at the beginning of your session.
• Use video to promote it - Session descriptions can sell a conference, but to sell a virtual event, you’ll have to demonstrate what people can expect to see once they pay.

Tracking of E-learning Progress and Virtual Events Tracking

In e-learning platforms, you can track how much a student is learning at any time through the use of real-time dashboards and scheduled progress reports. The reporting and metrics for e-learning opportunities include:

• 24/7 access to a learner’s progress
• Detailed course reports
• Individual activity reports
• Quiz, text, and poll results
• Chat and engagement reports

But if you want to track the metrics of virtual events, you can also do so. Event organizers get access to real-time reports of any interaction that has taken place during or after the event. This means a much better insight into the user behavior of the participants and what kind of content they like. And this, on the other hand, means that you can get a much better ROI from your online & hybrid events.And not to forget: If you are hosting an event virtually, you’ll get a valuable data collection of virtual participants in real-time – which is a MAJOR benefit for any type of virtual event program. Not only that but getting to see all of this data in one platform is something that will give you an advantage over your competition.

Start Planning Today: Use the Best Hybrid Event Platform

At expertshare, we can help you organize your virtual or hybrid event and find the right way to combine it with e-learning. Currently, we are the only platform in the world which has e-learning & hybrid events combined in one platform like we have done. In case you are already thinking about creating a virtual event, or about hosting your tradeshow, e-learning coursework, or certification, we can help you set it up the right way, the professional way. Just request an expertshare virtual or hybrid event platform demo and see how we can help you execute any kind of virtual or hybrid event or program.

Learn more about expertshare’s Hybrid & Virtual Event Solutions

expertshare is the leading provider of virtual and hybrid event solutions. We provide you with a secure and cloud-based platform which will expand the reach of your audience and we will drive in-depth content engagement for marketing, sales, recruitment, training, and HR communities to create successful online events around the world. Our product portfolio includes virtual & hybrid environments, e-learning management, webinars and online conferences. Demand more from your virtual and hybrid event solution. We have the experience you need.Do you still have questions? Please email us at sales@expertshare.live

Virtual e-learning events can offer students the opportunity to connect socially, adding value to their course. Online courses allow educators to create materials and then resell them multiple times to multiple learners. However, in-person courses are rarely sources of passive income. In fact, they require a lot of time to develop new materials, market to new students, moderate, and support.Because of this, it can often be a pleasant surprise to hold a virtual event that usually requires less time to prepare, and may cost less. Your personal attention is valuable as your time is a finite resource. In addition, virtual events offer the opportunity to promote something new for your course and generate enthusiasm.It may not have been the first thing you thought of when you started your course, but if you've forgotten about this option, it's time to reconsider. Below are seven ideas for a virtual e-learning event. Which one fits your course?

1. Promote a group discussion as part of your course.

For many courses, one of the most beneficial aspects comes from getting to know other students in the group. When students network with their classmates, they have the opportunity to learn from each other, present new points-of-view, and create a sense of community among the group. This is an element that is often missing in online courses, but can be recreated through a virtual discussion. Consider this for: writing critique circles, professional development courses, and reading groups.It might also interest you: Best Elearning Platforms available on the market

2. Offer a one-on-one training or consulting session.

Individual classes are a premium offering, and many students are willing to pay more. While groups can be great for lively discussions, some students are inevitably more shy than others. They may also be reluctant to ask questions, or may want more personal training. Not everyone wants to share personal details with the group, nor is a group the best format for providing individual feedback. Individual classes offer that opportunity.Consider this for: professional training, life coaching, mentoring.

3. Give a live class for physical training.

Most of us only think of physical training as something that is done in a studio or gym. But to think of exercise that way is to forget how popular exercise videos are - and continue to be. Many of us don't want to make the trek to the gym, but we still want a workout buddy to keep us motivated. And if you can provide that training while leading students through new exercises each week, or offer special training in a new skill, that can be a big draw.Consider this for: yoga, dance, martial arts, meditation.

4. Create a master class to demonstrate a special skill.

Many online courses are used to teach hobby skills. While many skills can be shown on video, a live master class allows you to directly answer audience questions as they happen. It also gives you a chance to vary your demonstration, or earn extra income by demonstrating a task you would be doing anyway.Consider this for: sewing, cooking, gardening, woodworking, art.

5. Invite a guest for an interview and audience Q&A.

Live events are definitely excellent PR opportunities, even more so when you have another well-known person in your industry to join the discussion. These events can be excellent opportunities for both parties, while sharing some of the workload when it comes to preparing for the event and answering audience questions.Consider this for: live conferences, networking sessions, joint product launches.

6. Run a live demonstration of a new product or feature.

Are you launching a new product, or have a feature of your current product that generates a lot of questions? Running a webinar to demonstrate to your audience how that feature works is not only a great way to respond to customer requests, but also an opportunity to create more content that can be use for courses or your social channels. You can re-purpose this content in your trainings that you post on YouTube, for example, especially if they are very popular with users. Why re-invent the wheel?Consider this for: product launches, how-to demonstrations, live tutorials.

7. Conduct a language session for conversation practice.

Although we have already covered group and one-on-one training, language practice deserves special mention because it can be both. You could conduct online Italian language discussion groups, for example, or give private lessons as both are excellent ways to improve language skills. You can also set-up language sessions for more than just conversational practice. Besides working with a tutor to improve any language skill you want, groups offer a lot of creativity from basic conversation to language games and exercises.Consider this for: foreign language conversation skills, pronunciation training, commentary writing.

Conclusion regarding virtual e-learning events:

Virtual e-learning events can be repeated and offer something interesting to share about your course.Events are wonderful education tools for many reasons. They provide personal contact for students who might otherwise suffer from isolation, offer a real-time opportunity to engage students, and are easy to replicate. And at a time when face-to-face events are not an option, virtual events offer a viable alternative.So if you're looking for a way to expand your offerings and attract new learners, it's time to consider hosting a virtual e-learning event. This may just attract the attention you are looking for.

Hybrid events production: With our extensive experience of both online and live events, we can help you prepare your hybrid event like no other. We can advise and support you in every aspect of making your hybrid event a success. It all starts with the location, of course. We have several beautiful event locations that are perfect for hybrid events.

Next, we can help you create the content for the hybrid event: from guest speakers to side-acts and from interactive sessions to drinks boxes and fun breakout activities. There are all sorts of possibilities. Even when it comes to producing animated logos, subtitles, bumpers or leaders, you've come to the right 'hybrid'.

Whích ones will be live and who will be virtual?

If you are organizing a hybrid event, it is always difficult to decide in advance who you are going to invite to attend the event live and who will receive an invitation to the hybrid online program. However, you could also leave such a choice up to the guests themselves. For many, it is convenient to be able to follow the event digitally, while others prefer the live presence.

At international meetings it is especially convenient for foreign guests to have a digital presence. It saves a lot of time and money. We are happy to advise you on the best way to send out invitations for your hybrid event.

Event Enrichers & Entertainment

The flow of a hybrid event is super important. Think of it as a TV broadcast, where there is always a musical tune at the entrance of a new speaker, called the touches. This helps you avoid uncomfortable silences. If you combine this with images, we talk about a bumper. In this way you can adjust the image and sound completely to suit your event and your brand. But also voice-overs, the right subtitles, the right special effects..

All elements that you can use to enrich the hybrid event. Do you really want a complete event? Then opt for surprising interludes, such as a mind hacking performance by Victor Mids.

Ensure interaction

During the event itself, continuing to excite is essential. You can do this by, for example, Q&As, where guests can submit questions via smartphone and they are answered by the speakers. Polls, where people can vote on statements via their smartphone, also work very well. A moderator, who handles questions from the live and online audience, ensures that you are really there.

How does organizing a hybrid event work?

If you're going to host a hybrid event, it's more important than ever to focus primarily on the guest and viewer. On the one hand, you have a subset of guests who are live at the event venue. They are included in all the live experiences they have on location. The other group, often the majority of guests, are literally on the other side of the digital highway.

It is a challenge to also hold on to these people and to continuously stimulate their senses, so that they are involved in the event and stay involved. Interaction with both the guests on location and the online guests is essential! Polls, Q&As, chats, statements, presentation techniques, image design, dynamics - all components that play a very important role in a hybrid event. Event Management is more important than ever. With expertshare, you're taking on an expert event partner who can fully manage the hybrid event for you.

Content production, recording direction, event management, catering, atmosphere and decorations..Experstshare takes care of it all!

Hybrid Events production: From content to catering

The production of a hybrid event requires much more preparation than a live event. In fact, you merge two events: the live event and the online event. For the "live" part of the event, things like the location, the design and decoration, the catering and guest registration, for example, are very important. For the online audience, much more attention is needed for everything that takes place within the frames of the camera view.

A seamless direction, the right camera images at the right moments, dynamics in image and sound, image design, voice-overs, musical intros. All aspects that are much more necessary at a hybrid event and also require much more time and attention. With years of experience from our event and AV professionals, we know exactly how to make your hybrid event unforgettable.

What type of event is a hybrid suitable for?

You can actually use a hybrid event for almost any type of event. Obviously, the hybrid concept is ideal for congresses and conferences. But also when it comes to business events such as product introductions, customer days and dealer days, a hybrid event can work perfectly.

Even when it comes to internal events, such as HR meetings, staff meetings, farewell ceremonies and the like, it can be convenient to organize the hybrid so that not every branch has to go on the road. In short, the hybrid event is very versatile and can be used for a variety of events. And the possibilities of multiple events taking place in multiple locations at the same time but still being connected via hybrid are totally unique!

Soon physical events will make a comeback. Marketers everywhere are considering their options. Stay virtual? Go back to just the physical? Or perhaps have the best of both worlds, becoming "hybrid".

Hybrid events are the current affairs, and for good reason. By becoming hybrid, we can extend the size of conferences and events to reach audiences of any size, anywhere in the world. Suddenly event strategies have potential that we never imagined before. And by bringing the power of digital engagement to events, we can learn more about attendees and more effectively find the best leads, boost the sales funnel and revenue.

Hesitation for virtual events

But there are considerations. Hybrid events production can be more expensive. There are all the expenses of hosting a physical event (event spaces, food, hotels, entertainment), but also the need to invest in digital event software and broadcast capabilities to host the virtual elements of the event.

The costs are definitely higher, but so is the hybrid ROI. More reach means more leads, and better data means higher conversions. But there is another advantage to going hybrid: sponsorship revenue.

Why hybrid events have a gigantic sponsorship opportunity

Physical event sponsorship hasn't changed much over the years. There's the usual set of packages that offer the same basic benefits: signage, speaking slots, booths, and the ability to put branding on different elements of the event.

But in this digital-first world, sponsors will expect more, and hybrid events completely change what sponsorship packages look like.

Branding

Unlike physical spaces where signage is limited to the available wall space, and let's be honest, is rarely seen; digital environments present a new element of branding possibilities. Virtual events are blank canvases that you can paint, and you can offer sponsorship branding, of all kinds, virtually anywhere. And since you can put them anywhere and they are clickable, digital signage has much greater value than physical signage.

Sponsor logos can be linked to sponsors' booths, sponsor sessions, or even their websites. That's a measurable advantage. And with virtual event environments often including many unique digital spaces, there are more brand elements to sell.

Booths

Perhaps the biggest reason companies sponsor events and conferences is to have a booth space to connect with attendees. Booths often offer brochures, handshakes, and sales speeches. This makes event attendees a bit wary of engaging. No one wants to carry around a giant bag of brochures anymore. But offering booths changes that dynamic. We can now offer customized sponsor booth spaces where attendees can watch videos, presentations, and demos. We can offer tons of content that is just a click away.

But what's even more valuable to sponsors, is that from a virtual booth, you can offer direct CTAs like links to a free trial, pricing page, or product page. Attendees can chat with representatives, make appointments, or even sales meetings.

Presentation opportunities

Another great advantage of sponsorship offers is the ability to deliver a presentation to the audience. Depending on the level of sponsorship, you can offer talks or breakout sessions.

By adding a digital event space, you can offer additional presentation opportunities that can be easily integrated into the experience. Presentations can be held at sponsor booths, or there may be a sponsor room where breakout sessions are available.

Sponsored Engagement

Hybrid events also introduce partners to entirely new forms of sponsorship benefits. You can offer virtual chats, networking lounges, and virtual forums. This could mean simply scheduling a virtual experience or allowing sponsors to host the experience and drive direct engagement. You can even offer sponsors the opportunities to host their own virtual parties and happy hours.

Entertain

Speaking of parties, one thing sponsors love is to put their name to the entertainment, and there are a number of ways in which hybrid events increase the opportunity to do just that. In some cases, the entertainment at the physical event, such as the shows, can be streamed live to the virtual audience.

This offers a number of branding opportunities. But often there will be entertainment that is exclusive to the virtual audience. This can be anything from games, virtual cocktail parties, virtual concerts, and more. And all of this can be branded and sponsored.

The data

This is the watershed. When you add virtual elements to hybrid events, suddenly you have much more to offer than impressions and exposure; you have data. Each digital component can deliver measurable results. Each brand placement can provide statistics on who clicked on logos. Virtual booths not only deliver the names of each visitor, but what content they downloaded, what videos they watched, what questions they asked, and what CTAs they clicked on.

Virtual presentations can also capture results of polls and surveys, questions asked, and content downloads. Everywhere there is virtual engagement, there will be measurable results that you can deliver to your sponsors.

Live and On Demand

Hybrid events also extend the value of sponsorships long after the live event. Physical events have a limited duration. But hybrid events can move into an on demand phase, where all the elements of the virtual events remain active. This means that sponsors can continue to generate impressions, leads and engage prospects for a long period.

Packaging

In this new world of hybrid events, sponsorships can now be packaged in a variety of ways. Sponsor tiers can have much more definable differences and advantages. Events can offer more opportunities for impressions, presentations, and engagement. And most importantly, you can offer the insights and data from each engaged prospect that will result in a higher conversion rate. This is what sponsors want most and is now yours to offer.

Hybrid events are more complex to build and deliver. We are now bridging the gap between physical and virtual worlds. But the benefits are immeasurable. Sponsorships will be easier to package, and easier to sell. With virtual and hybrid events, if you can dream it, you can build it. And someone will definitely pay to sponsor it.

Feel free to set up a conversation to talk about webinar or virtual event projects.

FAQ's on hybrid events production

1. What is hybrid events production?

It is the audiovisual production and event technology used to organize a virtual or hybrid event. Virtual event production can include services, equipment, and support from technical experts.

2. Why invest in a dedicated event production team?

To deliver an exceptional experience to attendees, you'll need audio-visual equipment and resources to support the behind-the-scenes of your event. Remember, anything that looks too amateurish, blurry or improvised will likely turn off your audience.

3. When to consider an audio-visual production?

• When your in-house staff has limited resources;
• When you're planning a hybrid event where you need to combine remote and face-to-face speakers;
• When it requires several technical elements such as background music, pre-recorded video or visual transitions.

Conclusion

The pandemic has brought us challenges and discoveries. It's important to have learned and, more importantly, to know how to learn from it. In the la;st two years, there has been a 180 degree turn to the virtual. Everyone has participated in or held online events, sometimes with mixed success, but with good intent: to reach their constituencies.

If you want to reconnect with your customers, it is a priority to keep a virtual component to your future events, which we will then call hybrid events*. We firmly believe that the future is in hybrid events, because this model presents many advantages and opportunities for organizations that wish to transform expenses into investments.

The hybrid mode offers new opportunities in terms of content, as it allows unlimited access to the most renowned speakers, panelists, artists and other presenters from here and abroad. Since you don't have to travel, it is much easier to reach these personalities and thus increase the credibility, notoriety and popularity of your event.

There is also the opportunity to generate new revenue. In the case of a paid event, the hybrid mode allows you to offer a variable fee schedule adapted to the chosen experience and the guest's profile (in-person ticket, remote access, limited access to the program, etc.).

The hybrid event is the future! The opportunities are endless and multiple. And the best part is that it's measurable and quantifiable! A hybrid event offers two simultaneous experiences: in-person (guests present in the studio or in the room) and online (guests connected remotely with no postal code limit!).

, As a savvy event manager, you've probably already organized hybrid events or at least started to look into them. To help you make your next hybrid event more dynamic or simply to help you get started, here are 17 hybrid events ideas for 2022 to implement for successful events. But before we get to them, let's first get a question out of the way.

What are hybrid events anyway?

As mentioned in an earlier blog, hybrid events are those in which the audience participates simultaneously in two distinct ways. Part of the audience attends the event in-person, while the other part, usually the majority, attends in a virtual way. Considering the reality of corporate events, the in-person part usually takes place in a studio, an office meeting room, or a hotel.

It is worth saying that the hybrid format is not new, it just became more prominent during the need for social distancing. Common examples of this in our day-to-day lives are talk shows and renowned festivals such as Rock in Rio and Carnival where part of the audience is present and the other part can follow the event on TV, or on the Internet. With great hybrid events ideas, you can become very successful in your niche.

The 7 advantages of a hybrid event

Let's start with the benefits of doing a hybrid event before going into the 17 hybrid event ideas.

• Exponential increase in reach
• Reduction of logistical costs
• Optimization of investment
• Post-event relationship and networking
• Access to post-event content to re-use
• User behavior data to improve future events
• Attraction of sponsors

1. Use animators to energize your event

To keep your audience attentive and feel close to the speakers, hire dynamic presenters! You may have speakers who are highly qualified in their respective fields, but who may not be experienced speakers and comfortable with the audience. Hiring moderators will make your audience feel more engaged because of their responsiveness and ability to bounce back on what's happening at the event.

2. Invite international speakers

This is one of the main advantages of hybrid events, all the barriers related to transportation go away to give you more opportunities to make your event unmissable! If you want to invite an important personality to speak at your event, like Richard Branson for example, you won't need to finance his potential long trip, even though he doesn't need you to fly to the stars. International travel at home is possible thanks to the hybrid!

3. Add a countdown clock on your event site

Ideal to give your event that little touch of imminence that makes your guests not want to miss it. By adding a countdown clock on your event website, you will stimulate all the people going there and potentially convince some of them to register. Who doesn't feel pressure when faced with a countdown? With the event management platform, you can add it to your event site as you see fit for a more immersive experience.

4. Leverage your event management platform

Your goal: maximum attendees and engagement. So to make sure you maximize your participation and engagement rates, use your EMS (Event Management Software) to manage your event communications and make use of its interactive services. Never forget to include emails and SMS reminders in your event communication. Be sure that your guests will note your event in their agenda. With expertshare, launch your communications campaigns as easily as your interactive services such as voting, quizzes, polls, Q&A and word clouds at any time!

5. Break your sessions into several sequences

To avoid loss of attention and instead captivate your audience, sequence your sessions to make them more dynamic. For example, you can introduce the speakers for a few minutes, engage your audience with a quiz right afterwards, and then go through the event by ending with a word cloud or a poll. It is recommended that you keep your session to a maximum of 60 minutes, especially for a plenary.

6. Launch a survey after each session

Take a short survey after each session to gauge the attention span of your participants. This will allow you to see if the speech or activities are effective. For on-site attendees, have them vote via their event app. With the Eventdrive app, it's very easy to boost your engagement rate by allowing your attendees to participate in quizzes, votes, word clouds, take surveys and ask questions.

7. Plan coffee breaks

You know best! What better way to rest your brain and boost your energy than with a coffee break? Especially when your event takes place in the morning. Let your participants fill up on good vibes, it will allow them to chat with each other too!

8. Broadcast videos during breaks

To make your coffee break more enjoyable, don't hesitate to broadcast live videos on site and remotely to entertain your guests. For example, you can show them your new commercials, or even your old ones for a little corporate culture moment!

9. Include musical cues

To announce the different breaks, play a little jingle or a little melody to mark the beginning of them. Do the same to mark the end of the breaks. You will attract your participants' attention again and reactivate their senses to be operational during your event!

10. Call back the Q&A service

You don't want your attendees to get stuck on a question in their head when you present important information. That's why it's important to remind them that there is a dedicated service available to take their minds off any questions they might have for you! Take some time at the end or during your session to answer them.

11. Call to action

Whether remotely or onsite, invite your participants to speak up! Ask questions or seek input from people in the audience to make them actors, not just spectators. On expertshare, the "raise your hand" feature allows all online participants to ask to take the stage to speak. For the more extroverted among them, this will make people happy!

12. Allow online and face-to-face participants to see each other

For more interactivity and immersion in your event, give your onsite attendees the opportunity to see the online participants and speakers who are speaking. You can also make sure that remote participants have a visual on the on-site participants so that they feel truly integrated in the assembly. It's important to properly manage the video capture of your event!

13. Call your participants by their first name directly

To promote closeness with the audience, don't hesitate to call them by their first name when they interact in the online chat or when they address you on site. You are showing them that you are speaking to them specifically and therefore want them to feel included and closer to you.

14. Invite and @Note your participants directly in the chat

Sometimes people are afraid to speak in front of an entire audience or even have the right equipment at a distance. That's why you should encourage your participants at the beginning of the event to use the chat to share their opinions. To avoid having your participants miss your response because it is buried in the mass of other messages, mention them individually directly. This shows them that you want to respond in person and, more importantly, allows them to see your response.

15. Send goodies to your remote participants

Hybrid events are particularly effective in terms of varied participant experiences. If your in-person attendees receive a small bag of goodies, there's no way your remote attendees will not receive anything! Make sure you collect their address and send them the same goodies in a timely manner so they feel as valued as the on-site attendees.

16. Encourage your participants to use the online Instaphoto

Whether they're onsite or online, your attendees will always have something to share. So give them the opportunity to express themselves in pictures! With our event app, everyone can do this with ease.

17. Launch word clouds

When you start a topic, end a session or express a thought, ask your audience to give feedback by putting a word on it to create a word cloud. All the words will appear in real time on the screen and everyone will want to participate!

Conclusion: Hybrid events ideas

Here you are, with your hands full of good hybrid events ideas to animate your next hybrid events! If you have any other hybrid events ideas, don't hesitate to share them with us. After all, sharing is the name of the game in the event industry.

In cosa consiste l'organizzazione di eventi virtuali e perché ne hai bisogno? L'alternativa agli eventi in presenza e ai seminari sono gli eventi virtuali: webinar, fiere virtuali, ecc. Noi di expertshare ti forniamo una guida completa in modo che tu possa produrre e gestire i tuoi eventi come un professionista affinchè la tua attività continui a navigare attraverso il web verso la crescita. Inizia subito a creare eventi virtuali!Negli ultimi 2 anni, non è stato possibile godere del networking dal vivo, faccia a faccia, con lo scambio spontaneo di idee. Tuttavia, è ancora possibile mantenere la tua attività senza intoppi, mantenere i contatti con i tuoi clienti e, perché no, magari anche ottenere nuovi contatti e potenziali clienti nonostante l'emergenza COVID-19.Il valore dell'interazione faccia a faccia non scomparirà mai, ma ci sono momenti in cui il virtuale è una parte necessaria del programma del tuo evento. Quindi, di fronte al distanziamento sociale causato dalla pandemia di Coronavirus, la produzione di eventi virtuali, come webinar, fiere virtuali, ecc., potrebbe essere l'alternativa ideale per far prosperare la tua attività.

Perché organizzare un evento virtuale è un'opportunità per far crescere il tuo business

Organizzare un evento virtuale è una grande opportunità per espandere la portata geografica del tuo marketing aziendale. Inoltre, puoi entrare in contatto con i tuoi clienti e anche attirare nuovi potenziali clienti che potrebbero essere interessati a ciò che offri, tra le altre cose.Organizzare un evento virtuale richiede la stessa cura e attenzione ai dettagli di un evento faccia a faccia o di persona. Con entrambi gli eventi, devi fare di tutto per promuovere efficacemente l'evento, coinvolgere i partecipanti, creare momenti memorabili per i partecipanti e dimostrare il successo dell'evento.Pensando agli eventi virtuali non come piccole presentazioni una tantum, ma come esperienze a valore aggiunto guidate dal coinvolgimento, puoi creare un evento che ha un impatto sulle persone e va oltre lo schermo di un computer. Quindi cosa ti impedisce di creare i tuoi eventi virtuali?Vogliamo contribuire alla crescita digitale e innovativa della tua attività, quindi ti presentiamo questa guida pratica per iniziare con la produzione del tuo evento virtuale. Partiamo dalle basi:

Cos'è un evento virtuale?

È probabile che tu abbia partecipato a un webinar online, guardato una lezione online, partecipato a una riunione utilizzando uno strumento di videoconferenza o addirittura partecipato a una conferenza comodamente da casa o dalla scrivania. Questi sono tutti esempi di eventi virtuali. Un evento virtuale è quello in cui le persone sperimentano l'evento e il suo contenuto online piuttosto che incontrarsi di persona.

Principali tipologie di eventi virtuali

Gli eventi virtuali non sostituiscono gli eventi di persona, ma un nuovo tipo che puoi utilizzare per migliorare l'intero programma. Ecco le 4 principali tipologie di eventi virtuali:

1. Conferenze virtuali

Come le conferenze faccia a faccia, le conferenze virtuali contengono keynote, sessioni di approfondimento e altro ancora. Le conferenze virtuali includono contenuti multisessione e strumenti di coinvolgimento della comunità. Sebbene non siano efficaci in termini di reclutamento e networking dei partecipanti come un evento faccia a faccia, le conferenze virtuali consentono ai partecipanti di visualizzare le note chiave in tempo reale, creare la propria agenda da contenuti pertinenti e interagire con gli altri partecipanti.

2. Webinar

I webinar di solito hanno una durata compresa tra 45 e 90 minuti e consentono ai partecipanti di tutto il mondo di unirsi e ascoltare mentre uno o più relatori presentano virtualmente il contenuto. Le aziende possono addebitare ai partecipanti la partecipazione ai webinar utilizzando servizi online a pagamento oppure possono essere offerti gratuitamente. I webinar utilizzano generalmente strumenti di videoconferenza che consentono domande e risposte e la possibilità di presentare video dal vivo o preregistrati e sono offerti su richiesta, dopo il completamento.

3. Eventi ibridi interni

Gli eventi ibridi interni sono consigli, kick-off di vendita, eventi a livello aziendale, corsi di formazione, riunioni di dipartimento e altro ancora. Per le organizzazioni che abbracciano paesi, persino continenti, gli eventi ibridi interni vengono utilizzati per condividere un messaggio con l'intera azienda quando i dipendenti non sono tutti riuniti nello stesso luogo. Anche se sarebbe fantastico portare tutti i dipendenti alla sede della tua organizzazione, sarebbe incredibilmente costoso e la pianificazione necessaria richiederebbe molto tempo.

4. Eventi ibridi esterni

Questi eventi ibridi esterni sono organizzati per coloro che sono al di fuori dell'organizzazione. Possono essere conferenze utente o conferenze di settore. Richiedono livelli più elevati di produzione video in modo che i partecipanti virtuali ricevano una qualità simile a quella dei partecipanti di persona. Questi eventi consentono ai partecipanti che non possono recarsi all'evento di partecipare e imparare.

Perché organizzare l'evento virtuale?

Gli eventi virtuali si tengono per le stesse ragioni degli eventi di persona: per trasmettere il messaggio della tua azienda per aumentare i contatti e le entrate, favorire l'adozione e generare fedeltà a vita. Per anni, gli organizzatori di riunioni ed eventi hanno scelto tra eventi di persona, virtuali e ibridi e sono giunti alla conclusione che ogni tipo di evento ha i suoi pro e contro.

Ecco alcuni motivi per ospitare un evento virtuale:

• Accessibilità: a differenza degli eventi di persona, le opzioni virtuali consentono di adattare uno spazio ai partecipanti che non possono partecipare di persona.
• Budget: se la tua organizzazione ha bisogno di tagliare i costi e organizzare eventi più piccoli, i webinar possono aiutarti a risparmiare denaro, che puoi quindi investire in un evento annuale più ampio che attiri un gran numero di potenziali clienti. Aiuta anche ad avere un'opzione virtuale o ibrida quando i budget di viaggio dei partecipanti sono un problema.
• Nessun'altra opzione: a causa di condizioni meteorologiche estreme, divieti di viaggio o un atto divino, sei costretto a rendere virtuale il tuo evento di persona o annullarlo del tutto.

Le basi della pianificazione di eventi

La pianificazione degli eventi si riduce ai fondamenti, devono essere eseguiti tenendo conto del marketing, della promozione dei contenuti e del coinvolgimento dei clienti. In poche parole, queste sono le basi e i principi fondamentali:Gli eventi virtuali, come gli eventi di persona, hanno bisogno di un buon marketing. Senza una promozione mirata ed efficace, la partecipazione ne risente.Il contenuto è re. In un ambiente virtuale, i tuoi contenuti sono il tuo evento. Keynote potenti e sessioni coinvolgenti su misura per i tuoi partecipanti sono fondamentali.Solo non deve significare solo. Mantieni coinvolti i partecipanti virtuali. Offri opzioni pertinenti per ogni tipo di partecipante e utilizza le guide agli eventi online per gli eventi virtuali.I dati sono l'unico modo per dimostrare il successo di un evento. Misurare il coinvolgimento e acquisire i dati dei partecipanti è l'unico modo per dimostrare il ROI (Return on Investment) dell'evento e attivare il percorso dell'acquirente.

Elementi dei eventi virtuali

Un evento virtuale si basa su contenuti, coinvolgimento dei partecipanti e dati. Sebbene sia vero che gli eventi virtuali non richiedono cibo e bevande (F&B), sono costituiti da molti degli stessi elementi di qualsiasi altro tipo di evento. Saranno importanti la qualità e la connettività della produzione video, così come il sito che ospita l'agenda e i contenuti.Questi sono gli elementi che compongono un evento virtuale:

• Sito web dell'evento
• Registrazione dell'evento
• Contenuto della presentazione dal vivo
• Audio dal vivo/video unidirezionale (streaming live)
• Domande e risposte (Q&A)
• Sondaggi sui partecipanti dal vivo
• Prendere appunti / diapositive preferite
• Contenuto registrato
• Videoconferenze interattive
• Sondaggi di feedback

Piattaforme tecnologiche per eventi virtuali

Gli eventi virtuali si basano sulla tecnologia. La partecipazione non sarebbe possibile senza l'uso di computer e dispositivi mobili. Ma la tecnologia degli eventi virtuali richiede più di semplici strumenti di videoconferenza. Proprio come un evento faccia a faccia, gli eventi virtuali beneficiano dell'uso di un'intera piattaforma tecnologica per eventi che ti aiuta a promuovere, eseguire e gestire il tuo evento.Ecco i pezzi più importanti della tecnologia per eventi da utilizzare durante la preparazione per la produzione di eventi virtuali.Sito Web dell'evento: il sito Web dell'evento viene utilizzato per la promozione. Serve allo stesso scopo indipendentemente dal fatto che l'evento sia virtuale o di persona. Il sito Web dell'evento è lo strumento promozionale chiave per interessare i potenziali partecipanti e invogliarli a registrarsi all'evento. Il sito Web dell'evento dovrebbe comunicare il valore dell'evento virtuale, contenere il programma, mostrare i relatori, includere domande e risposte frequenti e indirizzare i potenziali partecipanti alla registrazioneRegistrazione: la registrazione è il tuo primo strumento di raccolta dati ed è fondamentale per il tuo evento. Gli strumenti di registrazione consentono ai partecipanti di registrarsi per eventi virtuali, inviare preferenze e informazioni personali e fornire pagamenti, se necessario. Il solido strumento di registrazione online consente ai partecipanti di registrarsi facilmente e fornisce a organizzatori e fornitori le informazioni necessarie per pianificare un grande evento e dimostrarne il successo.E-mail: l'e-mail marketing può aumentare la domanda e aumentare le registrazioni, tenersi informati prima dell'evento ed essere utilizzato per coinvolgere i partecipanti prima dell'evento virtuale attraverso sondaggi di feedback sui partecipanti. L'e-mail è il modo migliore per comunicare con i partecipanti in tutte le fasi dell'evento.Guida agli eventi online e app per eventi mobili: uno dei pezzi più importanti della tecnologia degli eventi virtuali, sono la guida agli eventi online e l'app per eventi mobili in quanto sono la base delle operazioni per i partecipanti durante la produzione dell'evento virtuale.Questi strumenti funzionano su dispositivi mobili e browser Web e sono il principale hub di informazioni per i partecipanti. Le agende con collegamenti alle sessioni mettono i contenuti a portata di mano dei partecipanti. È qui che i partecipanti scelgono quali sessioni aggiungere alla loro agenda e dove i pianificatori raccolgono dati sulla popolarità delle sessioni e sulla partecipazione dei partecipanti. Questi strumenti connettono anche i partecipanti e forniscono strumenti di messaggistica che consentono ai partecipanti di collegarsi in rete e favorire le connessioni virtualmente.Feedback sull'evento: il feedback sull'evento è fondamentale per gli eventi virtuali quando gli organizzatori non hanno la capacità di valutare le reazioni delle espressioni verbali o dei commenti dei partecipanti in loco. Utilizza gli strumenti di feedback degli eventi per raccogliere feedback tramite sondaggi post-evento che possono essere utilizzati per dimostrare il successo dell'evento. Inoltre, il feedback sugli eventi può essere utilizzato come strumento per qualificare i lead virtuali e portarli alle vendite.Integrazioni: le integrazioni garantiscono che i dati vitali della registrazione e dei partecipanti siano condivisi tra il tuo sistema tecnologico per eventi e la tua piattaforma per eventi virtuali. Consente inoltre di condividere questi dati con i sistemi di automazione del marketing e CRM. Utilizza gli strumenti di integrazione per mantenere i dati dei partecipanti in un unico posto in modo da poter raggiungere i potenziali clienti più velocemente e analizzare le informazioni chiave sugli eventi, come la partecipazione e il coinvolgimento alle sessioni.

Questi sono i fattori chiave per la produzione di eventi virtuali che renderanno il tuo evento virtuale un successo

Strategia dell'evento virtuale: stabilisci gli obiettivi e la strategia per l'evento virtuale e assicurati che l'intera organizzazione sia allineata con essi. È necessario considerare come coinvolgere il pubblico, la generazione di lead, i vantaggi da ottenere, l'immagine del marchio, ecc. Devi tenere conto di queste considerazioni nella progettazione del contenuto, del budget, della tecnologia da utilizzare, della sponsorizzazione, ecc.Definizione del pubblico: esamina il tuo database e studia quali segmenti sarebbero interessati agli approcci della tua azienda. Questa è una grande opportunità per prendere in considerazione nuovi segmenti di pubblico provenienti da settori, industrie o professioni che la tua azienda non ha ancora affrontato.Guida agli indirizzi: fornisce ai partecipanti una guida su come partecipare virtualmente all'evento.Collegamenti: nell'agenda, aggiungi i collegamenti alla registrazione della sessione o alla trasmissione in diretta.Un sito web o una pagina di destinazione attraente è essenziale. Una delle chiavi per convincere i partecipanti è creare una pagina web o una pagina di destinazione attraente.

Cerca partner per promuovere l'evento

Partner, relatori e altri ambasciatori dell'evento possono aiutare a distribuire il messaggio. Genera contenuti facili e personalizzabili in modo che gli ambasciatori possano promuovere l'evento sui social media e altri media.

Dai un'anteprima del contenuto

Dare un'anteprima del contenuto è una buona cosa. La pubblicazione sui social media e su altri media come brevi video che incoraggiano la partecipazione e anticipano i contenuti aumenterà il numero di registrazioni.

Fornisci la prova del successo del tuo evento virtuale

Il successo dell'evento virtuale dipende dall'allineamento dell'evento e degli obiettivi aziendali, dall'identificazione degli indicatori chiave di prestazione per definire il successo dell'evento prima dell'evento e dall'analisi dei dati dell'evento e dalla revisione delle informazioni dettagliate dopo l'evento. Testare il ritorno sull'investimento (ROI) dell'evento richiede un'analisi costi-benefici. I costi sono espressi come costi diretti, spese indirette e costi opportunità. I vantaggi si riferiscono alle entrate dirette, alle entrate attribuite, alla pipeline di vendita attribuita, all'equità del marchio e alla condivisione della conoscenza.Utilizzando i dati raccolti durante gli eventi virtuali per valutare costi e benefici, puoi dimostrare il successo del tuo evento. Articola le metriche di successo dell'evento prima dell'inizio dell'evento. Dopo l'evento, prenditi del tempo per capire se la produzione dell'evento virtuale ha avuto successo in base alle tue metriche e analizza come migliorarla in futuro.Ora hai le basi per iniziare ad organizzare i tuoi eventi virtuali e far raggiungere alla tua attività il tanto atteso successo, utilizzando strumenti tecnologici. Osa e supera i limiti!Se vuoi conoscere altri argomenti che ti aiuteranno a posizionare la tua azienda nell'era digitale, oltre a ricevere le migliori opzioni di finanziamento adatte a te e supporto tecnico e commerciale per affrontare qualsiasi crisi, contatta expertshare, gli esperti di produzione per eventi virtuali.

A virtual event is a gathering of people who share a virtual environment rather than meeting in a physical location. They can be used for many purposes, such as career fairs, discussion forums, networking, or training. But what are the exact benefits of virtual events?Virtual events allow users to interact with companies or colleagues in the comfort of their home, office, or nearby coffee shop via chat or video conference.Virtual events do not need to be complicated, but they must be well planned and produced to make your event successful. In this article we present the 13 benefits of virtual events, check it out!

Benefits of virtual events during Covid

Despite the sensitive climate in the face of the pandemic, the essence of those who work with events and entertainment remains the same: connecting people, positively impacting society, and creating amazing experiences.Even if forcibly, Covid-19 has nudged all sectors towards the digitization of services. We need to adapt and learn how to navigate through these turbulent waves of change.In this context, online events emerge as a safe and effective alternative to continue delivering experiences to the public, wherever they may be. But that's not all: there are several advantages of doing online events, especially at a time when you need to find ways to keep your business alive.

1. The costs are low

In general, virtual events are cheaper. The only thing that planners need to worry about paying are the costs of the virtual meeting platform and renting specialized services.You will save a lot by not having to pay for the rental of the space or the sound equipment, for example, but you will also save money with the coffee-break, accommodation and tickets of the guests, materials for the day of the event, among other demands.The only expenses will be with the platform, the promotion, and the equipment needed for the video recording.With an online event you can reach an impressive number of people using only a good internet connection, a computer, your own webcam to take the images, and headphones to capture the audio, for example. And each one in his or her own home, or anywhere else in the world! Of course, the more equipment you have at your disposal, the more quality your event will have, but remember that this is not a prerequisite!

2. They save time

Another benefit of virtual events is that you also save a lot of time. Yours, your team's, and the attendees'. Although virtual events require some time to set up the platform and the site, the time spent on organization is less than that of a face-to-face event.Registration, which is done through the event's website, does not require any physical presence for collection, much less making participants travel for it.

3. Global reach

With virtual events, it is much easier to reach and involve more people!Unlike face-to-face events, virtual events are not restricted to a single location or have a limit to the number of people allowed. So, since there is no geographical limit, all that is required to access the platform is for the attendee to have a computer or mobile device and an Internet connection.In addition, there is the possibility of increasing the number of event participants, since a much larger number of people can connect in a virtual room. One of the biggest benefits of virtual events is that your event can go global!You can also promote your event easily by sharing the link to your website and social media channels. People from all over the world can participate instantly, thus increasing your audience and allowing everyone to attend, no matter where they live.The secret to this is to work hard on the quality of the content you share and on the promotion. So, don't waste time and start broadening the horizons of your events right now!

4. They’re flexible and variable

Because virtual events take place online, you have a lot of flexibility in how you broadcast your event. To participate or host a virtual event, all you need is an Internet connection and a device to access the Internet. Most platforms are compatible with access via a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet.Regardless of the type of event, you can choose to make the sessions interactive, offer different language options, invite speakers, and more. One of the benefits of virtual events is that they are flexible and can be tailored to your needs and goals.

5. It is easier to make connections

Unlike in-person events, virtual events are highly interactive and friendly, increasing registrant participation and engagement. Virtual events offer tools such as polls, Q&A, live chat, and even a downloadable resource section so your attendees can fully engage with your content.In addition, virtual events tend to be more fast-paced, as attendees don't have to move from session to session or booth to booth, and it can be easier to make connections with other attendees and speakers than a face-to-face event.

6. It is easy to collect feedback

Just like in-person events, feedback is crucial for virtual events. However, unlike face-to-face events, at virtual events attendees are constantly online and can easily respond to surveys in real time.This real-time feedback is a great benefit of virtual events, and will not only help presenters assess how the session is going, but will also be useful for measuring the overall success of your virtual event.

7. It is easy to measure results

Although the data that virtual events produce will vary depending on the platform and event management software you use, it is still easier to gather data and measure results about your event and attendees during a virtual event than it is at an in-person event.You have planned your event down to the smallest detail. The budget study was accurate. Your marketing and communication plan was well executed. Sales are within the predicted margin. Everything was going well... until a crisis arrived.Dealing with crisis management is part of the daily routine for those who produce events. The more experienced an event producer is, the more capable he becomes of dealing with unforeseen events. However, as time goes by, the more accustomed they become to "doing things the same way". It is a paradox - but the good news is that there is a solution.

8. Availability

A face-to-face event is, by nature, live. It only has one chance of happening. How many events have you seen canceled due to rain or force majeure?One of the advantages of doing online events is that they do not have to be live. It can be recorded and accessed many times in various formats. Your availability is much greater. What an advantage: this means you can put your online event on sale for a whole year (or more!).You can, for example, sell an online event that takes place live, but you can also record this event and make it available for sale, for a lower price, to those who could not attend the live event.

9. They are simpler to organize!

You may not yet be a fan of online events, but on one point you must agree with me: these are simpler events to organize! Do you know why?Much of the stress of organizing an event comes from the need to find the perfect venue with affordable rent, the investment in preparing all the materials that will be delivered during the event, not to mention the D-Day rush to leave in order, from cleaning to delivering the certificates of participation.With an online event you can save energy on this work and even increase your chances of having a bigger audience! Can you imagine the work it would take to organize, welcome, and accommodate a number of people that could, for example, be in a live broadcast?To think that it is possible to handle all this with a reduced team and a much smaller investment, and still counting on the right partnerships, because you can't do it all by yourself! A great help is a virtual event platform, like the one from expertshare, which can help with tasks such as registration and certifications, while you study to find ways to make your event even better.

10. They increase sales

Yes, that's right! One of the benefits of virtual events is the possibility to increase your sales. Think with me, your event will reach a much larger audience and this will increase your numbers. Of course, everything will depend on the promotion and sales strategy you use.These results may not appear in the first edition of the event, especially if it is your first contact with this type of organization. But take advantage of the fact that the Internet allows you not only to reach more people, but also to follow those interested in your type of event. So, invest in these people! Send exclusive content, make posts that engage on social networks to demonstrate your authority on the subject and make them remember your event!

11. Makes your event known better

This, without a doubt, is the greatest desire of every event organizer. Who doesn't want to have their event as a reference in the market, to be recognized and known inside and outside the country?There are no limits when it comes to the Internet. So grab hold of all the possibilities it offers to spread the idea and the name of your event. You can, for example, get in touch with some micro-influencers that speak to your target audience to work on a well-directed promotion that seeks to reach not only many people, but mainly the right people!You can do this through social networks and sponsored posts, sending e-mail marketing, and nurturing these people with good content and consistency. What will really impact these people is the positioning of your event. Show that you have authority on the subject and more and more people will be interested in what you have to talk about.Tip: You need to know the advantages of investing in email marketing, an essential strategy for online events! Click here and check out our e-book that has all the directions for those who want to learn about the subject!

12. Generates material for the post-event

One of the main advantages of doing an online event is having, at the end of the event, content to use as you wish. What in physical events require a specialized team to make the recordings of the lectures, increasing the costs, can be done while your event takes place, at no additional cost!Later, this material can be used to promote the next editions or as an online course that can be sold, for example. You can also make the complete event available on your YouTube channel, if you have one, of course. What you cannot miss is the chance to take advantage of this material!

13. Provides interaction and engagement

Those who think it is impossible to create engagement during an online event are wrong, on the contrary! Besides participating in the event, people feel more comfortable to comment and ask questions, through the chat, because they feel closer to the speakers. Without a doubt, having that speaker that used to be on a stage, distant and often without access, in the online event the reality is another.

But how can I create an online event?

Much has been said about the benefits of virtual events, especially after so many adjustments we needed to make in our routines because of Covid-19 and the need for social distance. And it's not for nothing, after all, this has been the best option to continue investing in the events market, to discover the digital world even more and to keep organizing amazing events!Creating an online event is very simple! You need to take care of the planning, think about the objectives, define the team, budget, and other details typical of any event. One of the main differences in this modality is the exchange of choosing a physical place for a tool for online transmission.In addition, it is also very important to choose, as soon as possible, an event platform to help in the organization, because online events can be very different from physical ones, but still have the same needs, such as creating the site, selling registrations, accreditation, and issuing certificates, among others.

Che cos'è una piattaforma live streaming e in quali casi ne hai bisogno? Un evento in live streaming non è altro che la trasmissione di un evento o di un flusso video in diretta sui telefoni o sui computer. Conosciamo questo concetto da tutta la vita. Abbiamo visto la televisione che ha trasmesso anche eventi dal vivo, ma in questo caso lo streaming è completamente digitale perché deve essere trasmesso su Internet.La trasmissione di un segnale audio e/o video digitale, in cui i pacchetti di dati vengono scaricati e contemporaneamente ascoltati e/o guardati sui nostri computer o dispositivi mobili, è nota come trasmissione in streaming. Perché è un'esplosione di dati che racchiude audio e/o video.

La trasmissione di eventi tramite una piattaforma di live streaming è una questione di qualità

La qualità degli eventi e della trasmissione dipende dalla quantità di bit di campionamento al secondo per la ricostruzione del segnale. Oltre al numero di fotogrammi utilizzati per creare il video al secondo. Maggiore è la velocità in bit al secondo e maggiore è il numero di fotogrammi al secondo, maggiore è la qualità della trasmissione. Pertanto, per gli eventi in streaming, c'è sicuramente un'elevata richiesta di larghezza di banda della connessione.Ciò significa che, se la velocità di download e la larghezza di banda della connessione Internet non sono sufficienti, la trasmissione non verrà visualizzata con la massima qualità possibile per coloro che la consumano. Inoltre, un altro concetto di base per questo argomento è la capacità del server a cui gli utenti si collegheranno durante la trasmissione. Ci possono essere decine, centinaia o migliaia di spettatori a seconda del tipo di evento.

Sono necessarie velocità di caricamento e larghezza di banda sufficienti

Lo stesso vale per le emittenti. Vale a dire, per ogni canale di trasmissione in streaming di alta qualità, sono richieste una velocità di upload e una larghezza di banda sufficienti. Ciò gli consente di passare quella quantità di pacchetti di dati al secondo in modo che il segnale di trasmissione possa essere ricostruito correttamente nel tempo reale desiderato.Per ogni canale audio e video trasmesso in HD è richiesta una media di 5 Mb/s di banda disponibile. Sia per la trasmissione (upstream) che per la ricezione (downstream), se vogliamo ottenere video a 720 o 1080p sullo schermo.Ciò implica che se vogliamo trasmettere eventi o essere in diretta contemporaneamente attraverso cinque social network (YouTube, Twitter/Periscope, Instagram, Facebook e LinkedIn) e una sala di videoconferenza (es. Expertshare, Zoom, Meet, ecc.), il minimo che dovremmo avere come larghezza di banda a monte di questi canali sarebbe 6 x 5 MBb/s = 30 Mb/s.

Aspettativa vs. Realtà

Ora, nella maggior parte delle nostre connessioni Internet standard possiamo avere diverse decine di MB/s di download (cioè a valle di 10, 25, 50, 75, 150 MB/s) ma la velocità di upload e la larghezza di banda (a monte) non supera i 5Mb /s, quindi, in media, trasmettiamo solo un singolo canale HD contemporaneamente.Per alcuni paesi, ad esempio, la velocità/larghezza di banda media di download è inferiore a 10 Mb/s e la velocità/larghezza di banda in upload non supera i 2 Mb/s, quindi devono limitarsi a trasmettere video registrati caricati su canali di podcast video. Vale la pena dire che queste larghezze di banda sono sufficienti per trasmettere audio HD dal vivo, ma non video.Esistono altri paesi o altri provider di accesso a Internet premium che forniscono connessioni in fibra ottica con upload/download bilanciati, con cui è possibile avere una larghezza di banda a monte di diverse decine o centinaia di Mb/s, ma sono ancora poche le persone che hanno questo privilegio perché i costi mensili sono troppo alti per la maggior parte degli altri.

Per gli eventi in streaming sono necessarie apparecchiature di fascia alta

D'altra parte, anche se si dispone della banda adeguata per la trasmissione simultanea di tutti i canali che si desidera in locale, il computer su cui si andrà a gestire la piattaforma di live streaming deve essere un'apparecchiatura di fascia alta, con un ottimo processore (es. Intel i7), tanta RAM (almeno 16GB), un hard disk veloce (preferibilmente SSD), due schermi full HD, una o più webcam full HD in audio e video collegate preferibilmente via cavo, connessione via cavo a Internet (Wi- Fi non è raccomandato), tra gli altri dettagli.Quando ci riferiamo alla Piattaforma di Live Streaming, intendiamo l'attrezzatura in cui il software che si occuperà di gestire le scene con le varie fonti di contenuto in tempo reale verrà commutato tra di loro per creare una trasmissione professionale.Tra le possibili fonti da gestire ci sono:

• Webcam collegate all'apparecchiatura
• Sorgenti di streaming video con telecamere remote di altri partecipanti (ad es. chiamata Skype o telecamera condivisa ricevuta dalla sala di videoconferenza).
• Video registrati che si trovano all'interno dello stesso computer.
• Immagini .PNG da posizionare come maschere per loghi e/o scenari di sfondo
• Browser web (es. Chrome, Firefox, Edge) per la condivisione della navigazione nella pagina web
• Finestre dell'applicazione per condividere contenuti come presentazioni PDF o mappe mentali+Testi che fungeranno da sottotitoli o da elementi informativi (es. @utente)
• Combinazione di più sorgenti per lo streaming di eventi live

Ciascuna scena da commutare può essere costituita da una o più sorgenti combinate come livelli sovrapposti e/o distribuite in un layout dello schermo specifico per la scena. Un altro dettaglio è la gestione delle transizioni tra le scene che possono avere vari effetti come dissolvenza, movimento, sweep, ecc.Il motivo per cui sono necessari due schermi è perché uno viene utilizzato per visualizzare la trasmissione vera e propria e l'altro per gestire la piattaforma di live streaming. Inoltre, il nostro team deve essere in grado di registrare la trasmissione e quindi essere in grado di condividere i video degli eventi attraverso varie piattaforme.Tuttavia, a causa della larghezza di banda e/o dei limiti delle apparecchiature, è comune trasmettere in simultanea su più canali trasmettendo un singolo canale a un provider di servizi di streaming Internet e da lì trasmettendo a più canali. Esistono diversi fornitori di servizi di streaming Internet, con vari vantaggi e costi associati. Alcuni offrono anche periodi di prova gratuiti, tuttavia, i canali premium come Instagram e le pagine Facebook non lo sono.

Risorse addizionali

Un altro aspetto importante da tenere in considerazione durante lo streaming di eventi è il contenuto da utilizzare nella trasmissione, per il quale consigliamo di creare:

• Una presentazione PowerPoint o qualcosa di equivalente, convertita in PDF
• Una mappa mentale
• Immagini da utilizzare per promuovere l'evento e per la copertina iniziale dell'evento.

Allo stesso tempo, dobbiamo tenere conto dell'ambiente in cui verranno utilizzate le webcam dei partecipanti, che deve essere ben illuminato, senza rumori di fondo, con telecamere di buona qualità e un'ottima connessione Internet.

Regali per gli ospiti

Un'altra pratica generale è quella di fare regali agli utenti che si sono collegati per guardare l'Evento Live, ad esempio regalando loro le presentazioni o le mappe mentali in formato PDF, o dando loro accesso alle registrazioni degli eventi. Il modo migliore per farlo è creare una landing page in cui possiamo ottenere i loro dati in cambio dei regali. Lo utilizzeremo quindi per condividere contenuti di valore (nutrition), costruendo così la curva di fiducia che ci consente di convertirli da prospect a clienti reali (Conversion Funnel). Per questo, dobbiamo collegare le landing page con una piattaforma di Marketing Automation.D'altra parte, utilizzando una sala di videoconferenza online (es. di expertshare), come mezzo di trasmissione, in cui gli utenti possono entrare per guardare l'evento, può fungere anche da fonte per la telecamera e l'audio del presentatore per il console di gestione della trasmissione e come secondo metodo di registrazione come backup della registrazione principale.

Cosa offre la piattaforma live streaming di expertshare?

Eventi virtuali e ibridiOspita eventi in modo completamente virtuale o in formato ibrido per una portata ancora maggiore. In entrambi i casi, puoi utilizzare tutte le funzionalità della nostra piattaforma di eventi in live streaming.Palco principaleIl palco principale è il cuore della piattaforma dell'evento. Qui gli spettatori possono seguire l'evento, interagire ed essere coinvolti nell'azione.Sale di lavoro virtualiLe sale relax virtuali sono il rifugio perfetto per piccoli gruppi per scambiare idee, fare rete o lavorare insieme.Reti virtuali e matchmakingLa piattaforma dell'evento offre chat, breakout room e gruppi individuali per un massimo di 4 partecipanti. Matchmaking consiglia le persone migliori con cui parlare.Sala d'aspettoNella sala virtuale dei ricevimenti presenti l'agenda, le istruzioni per l'evento, le informazioni sui relatori e, se lo desideri, i loghi dei tuoi sponsor.Analisi degli eventiIl dashboard e i rapporti di analisi forniscono approfondimenti su metriche importanti come il coinvolgimento o le percentuali di partecipazione e ti aiutano a ottimizzare i tuoi eventi.Attrezzatura di fascia altaUtilizziamo computer che soddisfano tutti i requisiti menzionati e altro ancora. Quindi, invece di doverlo acquistare tutto, ci assumi semplicemente per fare tutto per te e tutto l'hardware necessario è già incluso nel lavoro. Ciò include anche le apparecchiature audio come altoparlanti e microfoni, ecc.Squadra professionaleA cosa serve una grande attrezzatura se non hai le persone giuste per gestirla? Naturalmente, una volta che saremo noi a organizzare il tuo evento, riceverai anche tutta la nostra forza lavoro. Ciò significa ad es. un team di telecamere professionali, ingegneri audio e tagliatori per il post editing delle registrazioni dell'evento.Marchio personalizzatoLa piattaforma expertshare ti consente di integrare il tuo marchio personalizzato per creare un aspetto coerente che si integra perfettamente con la presenza online della tua attività. Modifica facilmente colori, caratteri, loghi e modifica il layout per adattarlo all'identità del tuo marchio.

Conclusione

Dopo che l'evento è stato trasmesso, è importante modificare i video salvati automaticamente per le varie reti, in modo da poter eliminare i minuti iniziali utilizzati per verificare che la trasmissione fosse corretta e salutare gli utenti che hanno effettuato il login all'inizio, e quindi non infastidire coloro che guardano la trasmissione registrata che vogliono vedere il contenuto di valore in una volta effettuando il login.Come puoi vedere, la trasmissione di eventi live sui social network contemporaneamente è quasi un'arte e una scienza, quindi se tu, la tua azienda o istituzione avete bisogno di questi eventi, vi invitiamo a contattarci e saremo lieti di assistervi. Ottieni l'accesso alla piattaforma di live streaming professionale che meriti.

From traditional correspondence courses to comprehensive digital training, distance learning has come a long way and has now reached its peak as e-learning. Today it is no longer a novelty, but a growth industry - the benefits of e-learning are countless. According to statistics, the global e-learning market will continue to grow by 5% per year to $240 Billion in 2022, and in time will replace offline formats.E-learning continues to gain ground in the business sector. Companies implement it to train their employees, streamline their processes, and extend their reach.

What does e-learning mean

So what is e-learning in a real context and why is it so attractive? Let's take a look.Today, when people talk about "e-learning," they are referring to training on any digital device. Watching an educational video, reading an interesting article, or taking a quiz-all these are e-learning.Comparing e-learning with traditional education methods is like comparing e-book formats with paper books. Just as digital texts cannot replace the authenticity of a real book, e-learning cannot replace large-scale education. However, it is always available to you on-demand as long as you have your digital device with you, and thus becomes more convenient.Convenience is one of the main reasons why people love e-learning. Another reason is that you can personalize your learning experience with other new features, such as augmented reality and virtual reality (people love new technology!). For example, with VR courses, warehouse and construction site workers get safety training, and medical students learn how to locate bones and blood vessels. We use e-learning daily to develop ourselves as individuals. We read articles, watch YouTube videos, and play games on our smartphones to exercise our minds. Companies, from small startups to large corporations, also use e-learning to train employees and help with internal processes. But wouldn't you like to know how it all began?

The history of e-learning

The term e-learning was coined by US learning guru Elliott Masie in November 1999, when he gave his speech at the TechLearn Conference: "e-learning is the use of network technology to design, deliver, select, manage, and extend learning."In 2000, e-learning was revolutionized as a technology with the release of OLAT, the first open source learning management system. That year also saw the release of the first version of SCORM, a standard that allows users to "package" content and distribute it within an LMS.In the early 2000s, mobile devices became increasingly common and took the form of smartphones and tablets. They were no longer just used for making calls: people watched videos, read books, and played games on their cell phones. This prompted cell phone companies to improve mobile connectivity, a race that continues today.Mobile devices are now a popular option for accessing e-learning, both for businesses and for education in general.

What are the benefits of e-learning for companies?

There are countless benefits of e-learning for companies because it offers:

Lower training costs

With e-learning, you don't have to spend a fortune holding seminars, booking hotel rooms, and covering travel expenses. You can simply develop an online course and share it with your employees.

Wider coverage

Distance learning has no barriers. You can train hundreds of employees in dozens of offices around the world in a uniform manner. Employees don't need to spend time attending classes in a classroom. All they need is a digital device and Internet access.

Single knowledge base

All learning material is stored in one place, that is, in one Learning Management System (LMS). Employees can access the LMS at a convenient time from any device, find the course they need, and refresh their memory.

Faster employee development

Traditional training can be quite slow because it depends on the work schedule of corporate trainers. An LMS is available at any time, allowing your employees to study whenever they want: on the go, during lunch, or at home.

Easy progress tracking

Your business instructors don't need to conduct classroom training and review all material in person. Most LMSs have analytics that show each student's progress in graphs and reports.

Enterprise adaptability

E-learning helps employees keep pace with the company and solve problems in real time. Need to present a new product to your sales team? Create a course and deliver it instantly to thousands of employees.

Companies use the benefits of e-learning to help with the following:

Employee training. This is the main reason why companies implement e-learning. Digital courses are most effective in training employees because they provide a continuous, user-friendly learning solution. Compliance training. Compliance training is mandatory for almost any company. The goal is to inform new employees about company policies. For example, those involving safety and personal conduct. Compliance training is much easier to accomplish with an LMS, especially if you need to implement immediate changes to your policy.Employee engagement. E-learning engages employees with interactive courses, creative design, and game-like elements. The latter specifically aims to keep learner's interest at a maximum with prizes and rankings.Retention of new hires. The onboarding process for new team members can be bewildering, especially if you have a large company. You can make things easier by introducing the company and its key figures step-by-step with digital courses.This will also free-up time for your HR team.Customer and partner development. With digital courses, you can teach your partners and customers about what you do, whether it's about products or services. People like innovation, but are often suspicious of things they don't know. Use courses and presentations to explain how your service works and why it is good. This will make them feel safe and integrate them faster.Product promotion. Brands and retail companies always have new products to present. You can use e-learning to teach your sales teams about new additions and help new employees learn about the products faster. As a result, you get more sales.So how exactly do companies achieve these goals with e-learning? A quality digital course is more than just a sequence of slides. The content you present needs to be engaging, informative, and interactive.Read also: Best Elearning Platforms available on the market

7 More benefits of E-learning

1. Complete flexibility

Unlike a traditional school, or training institute, which has its set training schedules that students or trainees must follow (where you may even need to dedicate an entire day), e-learning offers flexibility by dividing the course into small blocks that can fit into your daily schedule or by allowing you to select a time when you want to study completely. Therefore, you can complete the course easily without any stress, ...'

2. Study wherever you like

Since e-learning uses video conferencing software like ezTalks to train you, you do not need to visit any classrooms, and instead can complete the training not only using your PC, but also laptops, smartphones or tablets. This allows you to complete your training even on the road. Since you can study while traveling, you can make the most of your travel time.

3. Save travel costs

Since e-learning does not require you to visit any institute, you will not have to incur travel costs, or transportation costs to and from the institute. Often, schools or training centers may be located in remote areas. To travel to such distances you will have to incur a lot of expenses and a lot of time will be wasted.Fortunately e-learning helps you save time and cost for such expenses.

4. You don't follow that for all methods

In traditional training schools, there is a specific curriculum or training material that is meant for everyone, and everyone needs to follow and complete it within the scheduled time. However, e-learning does not follow that method for everyone. Most times, there is a quick knowledge quiz.Therefore, if you already have this knowledge and pass the quick quiz, thenyou are allowed to skip that area and focus on the areas that you still need to learn.

5. Less expensive

Since no room or instructor time is used, e-learning proves to be a much cheaper option. If you already have a device with which the training can be done, you will be saving even more. Therefore, for companies on a tight budget, e-learning can be extremely beneficial.

6. Global benefit

With almost no restrictions, companies can be sure that their employees all over the world will receive the exact content. Therefore, if you want your staff to use and understand the common methodology and receive the same training, e-learning is the most cost-effective and easiest way to do this. In addition, you can customize and translate your online teaching or learning into multiple languages and use it to address various cultures. This will help make your e-learning content travel around the world and reach a wider audience. Therefore, your globally distributed workforce will receive the training material, and all your employees will always be aligned with your company’s vision, value and brand.

7. Constantly up-to-date

Today's e-learning is better than yesterday's, and tomorrow's will be better than today's. As technology is constantly improving, so many tools and applications are being made available that, along with updating online learning, will also help make it more effective. Once you update your online course, your e-learners will also be able to enjoy the updated version with just a click of the mouse button.

4 Disadvantages of E-learning

1. Less control

Less motivated employees may fall behind because there is no fixed time for them to complete the training. The lack of a fixed schedule and routine can cause employees to procrastinate.

2. The learning style may not suit everyone

This online learning process may not seem appealing to everyone. Since not everyone is the same, so does their ability to understand. While some may find the e-learning method easy, for others understanding things through this method may seem difficult. They may find the environment of a normal training center, with a trainer present all the time, easier.

3. Lack of immediate response

When in a traditional training center, trainees can ask their trainers many questions and get immediate answers. However, in the case of e-learning, trainers usually work within their working hours and trainees learning outside of these hours may not be able to get an immediate answer to their questions.

4. Lack of computer competence

People who like gadgets will certainly find e-learning immensely beneficial, but there are some who may not feel comfortable using computers, especially if their job for so long has not forced them to do so. In such cases, even if the software is extremely user-friendly, the idea of using it may seem too difficult. However, this problem can be solved by giving these employees quick training on how to use the computers first.

Conclusion

E-learning may have some disadvantages, but these disadvantages can easily be dealt with. Moreover, just because of a few disadvantages, the many benefits of e-learning certainly cannot be overlooked. Just a little training and just a little guidance can help minimize the few disadvantages, easily. There are far more benefits of e-learning. Furthermore, with technology becoming more and more advanced and companies spreading throughout the world, e-learning, in fact, will soon become the main training method used by all companies.

What is e-learning software?

E-learning software solutions have changed the way of learning: As you know, there is definitely something magical about e-learning. Something that we would never have dared to dream of when we went to school as children.What are the elements of a schoolboy's experience, let's say from the 80's:

• a massive satchel, loaded with heavy textbooks
• the cold weather that forces him to cover up from late fall to early spring (and the desire to stay home warm)
• the need to catch a bus or train, and the complications that result from strikes
• using crowded public transportation

How many times have we had this nightmare? Waking up in a panic while feeling in your gut the anxiety of being "late" for class. The feeling that hell is waiting for us. The quest for knowledge was inseparable from these various constraints. And this is what is changing with e-learning.Take a look at: Best Elearning Platforms available on the market

Definition of e-learning

E-Learning means, the process of learning something is organized remotely and online, from the computer tool (computer, tablet, smartphone and... an internet connection). It provides a learner or a group of learners with modules that deliver educational content and that can include different interactions such as mini-games, multiple choice questionnaires and quizzes.Other names include:

• distance learning
• online learning
• virtual learning
• remote earning

E-learning software is certainly a tool which induces a new way of learning. As the European Union underlines in its definition: "e-learning is the use of new multimedia Internet technologies to improve the quality of learning by facilitating access to resources and services on the one hand, and exchanges and collaboration at a distance on the other".

The e-learning experience: being an e-learner

Taking online courses means reversing the model of the school experience.Instead of the student going to the teacher, the teacher comes to the student through the Internet connection. The student can therefore have access to knowledge from his or her bedroom or living room. In the context of professional training, the employee learns from his workplace. The classroom becomes virtual and mobile.Instead of having a teacher giving a course at a given moment, the student has an audio or video recording of the course that can be played over and over again until he or she has completely understood. The course becomes accessible 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.Instead of having a lecture, the trainer can deliver the theory on an electronic document (written, audio or video) and transmit it to the learner. The learner can consult it at home. The face-to-face course can then be devoted to individualized support. The pedagogy is adapted to each individual.

Choose when you will learn

Instead of having a rigid schedule with imposed subjects, the distance learner chooses when and on what subject he/she will train. The learner is the one who manages the organization of his day. The employee determines the best time to consult his training. E-learning allows them to control the time of their learning.It was the explosion of the Web in the 2000s and its ability to give everyone the gift of ubiquity that made this revolution possible. Then LMS appeared: learning management systems. It's the modern version of the library. But in fact, it is much more than that.The LMS is a training platform, i.e. a web software dedicated to the storage, organization and distribution of educational content, in order to provide targeted learning to a community of learners (school or company). It does not necessarily require an Internet connection, if the learner is directly connected to an internal server. The LMS platform can also be used to collect data for administrative purposes, reporting and statistics.

The different typologies

To understand the subject in its entirety, there is nothing like consulting our digital learning glossary.However, we can recall here the main characteristics of e-learning software solutions.First of all, we speak of "synchronous" training when the trainer and learners are in the same space of time: as in a video conference, a webinar or a chat session. We speak of an "asynchronous" system if there is a delay between the time when the instruction is recorded and the time when it is viewed. A delay between the question and the answer is also called "asynchronous" as in forums and emails. There are 100% online courses: everything is done remotely. However, we can recall here the main characteristics of e-learning.First of all, we speak of "synchronous" training when the trainer and the learners are in the same space of time: as in a video conference, a webinar or a chat session. We speak of an "asynchronous" system if there is a delay between the time when the instruction is recorded and the time when it is viewed. A delay between the question and the answer is also called "asynchronous" as in forums and emails.There are 100% online courses: everything is done remotely. Today, there are many tools that allow for remote tutoring or mentoring: smartphones, Skype and other "web-conference" type tools, social networks, not to mention email.Finally, we can implement blended learning approaches that combine e-learning with traditional learning, a mix of distance and face-to-face learning.

Improving the quality of learning

E-learning allows for the provision of educational content to the learner and the use of IT tools to manage, administer and monitor their progress.With Web 2.0 and the various means of interaction, e-learning allows the advantages of different approaches to be combined. Peer learning can be facilitated through document sharing, social media (such as a Facebook group) or a corporate social network.We can adapt the training path to each learner and thus manage different profiles together. You can also choose to make short modules of "microlearning" type.You can easily update the courses, add or remove modules.

E-learning and digital learning

Digital learning widens the scope of possibilities compared to e-learning. It encompasses different interactions that can be combined, whether digital or not. Among the most emblematic devices, we find video, which is very popular, but also all the fun devices (Serious Game, immersive reality) and social learning, which offers learning with others and by others.We can even have a classroom with tablets or smartphones that allow us to consult online educational resources.It is rather rare to have a pure e-learning approach today. The main flaw of distance learning is that it leaves the learner alone in front of his computer. Without support, they are tempted to give up if they are unable to resolve their difficulties by themselves.It is digital learning that is widely used in both the academic and corporate training fields.

What are the most needed features of e-learning software solutions?

According to a Swedish student's doctoral thesis, 90% of online applications identified as educational are actually just exercises and assessments. So, what features do we look for to promote the learning process itself.As part of his doctoral dissertation entitled "What are the characteristics of good educational software?", Björn Sjödénun, a student at the Department of Cognitive Science at Lund University in Sweden, wanted to identify and analyze the characteristics that make educational software effective learning tools. To do so, he relied on current knowledge in cognitive science, particularly in the field of learning.Thus, 100 applications identified as educational were analyzed by the researcher. According to his analysis and evaluation criteria, barely half of them could actually be considered as learning tools. Of these, only 17 provided some form of feedback to learners. Sjödénun believes that about 90% of the online applications identified as educational are in fact simply exercises and assessments.What does Sjödénun believe are the key features of e-learning software solutions that are likely to make it relevant as educational software?

Feedback

First: effective and relevant feedback. An educational application should be able to comment on the learners' answers, guide them and suggest, if necessary, alternatives to bring them to the intended learning. As mentioned earlier, Sjödénun believes that many applications are really just online tests.

Specific learning

Secondly, aim for specific learning. According to Sjödénun, educational tools should not only aim to evaluate, but also to make people learn. For the researcher, a relevant educational e-learning software solution is one that brings a plus compared to an existing support or teaching. He gives the example of an application that can simulate and visually represent an explosion, which is not possible with a science book.

Complex task, simple interface

It is important to avoid confusing technical complexity with learning relevance. A software program can be pedagogically relevant while remaining technically very simple. On the other hand, an application or a platform at the cutting edge of technology can have very little educational potential. You should focus on applications, software and platforms that allow for meaningful and complex tasks.Truly educational software has enormous educational potential, provided it meets certain characteristics. He calls, however, for the thoughtful use and development of educational applications. While well-developed software that meets specific characteristics can enhance learning, in other cases, such as when it asks learners to perform tasks that are too simple or does not provide meaningful feedback, it can, in his opinion, diminish learning.

Conclusion: Why use e-learning?

E-learning was already part of a trend even before there was a pandemic and showed the need to invest and learn about the digital universe. Now more than ever, these e-learning platforms will continue to grow. After all, e-learning makes it clear that it is possible to optimize time, reduce costs, have diversity in training and improvement, and streamline learning and achieve satisfactory results.Want to know more about this method? Talk to us if you need help implementing e-learning software solutions in teaching and training strategies in your workplace.

A virtual event is a gathering of people who share a virtual environment rather than meeting in a physical location. They can be used for many purposes, such as career fairs, discussion forums, networking, or training. But what are the exact benefits of virtual events?Virtual events allow users to interact with companies or colleagues in the comfort of their home, office, or nearby coffee shop via chat or video conference.Virtual events do not need to be complicated, but they must be well planned and produced to make your event successful. In this article we present the 13 benefits of virtual events, check it out!

Benefits of virtual events during Covid

Despite the sensitive climate in the face of the pandemic, the essence of those who work with events and entertainment remains the same: connecting people, positively impacting society, and creating amazing experiences.Even if forcibly, Covid-19 has nudged all sectors towards the digitization of services. We need to adapt and learn how to navigate through these turbulent waves of change.In this context, online events emerge as a safe and effective alternative to continue delivering experiences to the public, wherever they may be. But that's not all: there are several advantages of doing online events, especially at a time when you need to find ways to keep your business alive.

1. The costs are low

In general, virtual events are cheaper. The only thing that planners need to worry about paying are the costs of the virtual meeting platform and renting specialized services.You will save a lot by not having to pay for the rental of the space or the sound equipment, for example, but you will also save money with the coffee-break, accommodation and tickets of the guests, materials for the day of the event, among other demands.The only expenses will be with the platform, the promotion, and the equipment needed for the video recording.With an online event you can reach an impressive number of people using only a good internet connection, a computer, your own webcam to take the images, and headphones to capture the audio, for example. And each one in his or her own home, or anywhere else in the world! Of course, the more equipment you have at your disposal, the more quality your event will have, but remember that this is not a prerequisite!

2. They save time

Another benefit of virtual events is that you also save a lot of time. Yours, your team's, and the attendees'. Although virtual events require some time to set up the platform and the site, the time spent on organization is less than that of a face-to-face event.Registration, which is done through the event's website, does not require any physical presence for collection, much less making participants travel for it.

3. Global reach

With virtual events, it is much easier to reach and involve more people!Unlike face-to-face events, virtual events are not restricted to a single location or have a limit to the number of people allowed. So, since there is no geographical limit, all that is required to access the platform is for the attendee to have a computer or mobile device and an Internet connection.In addition, there is the possibility of increasing the number of event participants, since a much larger number of people can connect in a virtual room. One of the biggest benefits of virtual events is that your event can go global!You can also promote your event easily by sharing the link to your website and social media channels. People from all over the world can participate instantly, thus increasing your audience and allowing everyone to attend, no matter where they live.The secret to this is to work hard on the quality of the content you share and on the promotion. So, don't waste time and start broadening the horizons of your events right now!

4. They’re flexible and variable

Because virtual events take place online, you have a lot of flexibility in how you broadcast your event. To participate or host a virtual event, all you need is an Internet connection and a device to access the Internet. Most platforms are compatible with access via a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet.Regardless of the type of event, you can choose to make the sessions interactive, offer different language options, invite speakers, and more. One of the benefits of virtual events is that they are flexible and can be tailored to your needs and goals.

5. It is easier to make connections

Unlike in-person events, virtual events are highly interactive and friendly, increasing registrant participation and engagement. Virtual events offer tools such as polls, Q&A, live chat, and even a downloadable resource section so your attendees can fully engage with your content.In addition, virtual events tend to be more fast-paced, as attendees don't have to move from session to session or booth to booth, and it can be easier to make connections with other attendees and speakers than a face-to-face event.

6. It is easy to collect feedback

Just like in-person events, feedback is crucial for virtual events. However, unlike face-to-face events, at virtual events attendees are constantly online and can easily respond to surveys in real time.This real-time feedback is a great benefit of virtual events, and will not only help presenters assess how the session is going, but will also be useful for measuring the overall success of your virtual event.

7. It is easy to measure results

Although the data that virtual events produce will vary depending on the platform and event management software you use, it is still easier to gather data and measure results about your event and attendees during a virtual event than it is at an in-person event.You have planned your event down to the smallest detail. The budget study was accurate. Your marketing and communication plan was well executed. Sales are within the predicted margin. Everything was going well... until a crisis arrived.Dealing with crisis management is part of the daily routine for those who produce events. The more experienced an event producer is, the more capable he becomes of dealing with unforeseen events. However, as time goes by, the more accustomed they become to "doing things the same way". It is a paradox - but the good news is that there is a solution.

8. Availability

A face-to-face event is, by nature, live. It only has one chance of happening. How many events have you seen canceled due to rain or force majeure?One of the advantages of doing online events is that they do not have to be live. It can be recorded and accessed many times in various formats. Your availability is much greater. What an advantage: this means you can put your online event on sale for a whole year (or more!).You can, for example, sell an online event that takes place live, but you can also record this event and make it available for sale, for a lower price, to those who could not attend the live event.

9. They are simpler to organize!

You may not yet be a fan of online events, but on one point you must agree with me: these are simpler events to organize! Do you know why?Much of the stress of organizing an event comes from the need to find the perfect venue with affordable rent, the investment in preparing all the materials that will be delivered during the event, not to mention the D-Day rush to leave in order, from cleaning to delivering the certificates of participation.With an online event you can save energy on this work and even increase your chances of having a bigger audience! Can you imagine the work it would take to organize, welcome, and accommodate a number of people that could, for example, be in a live broadcast?To think that it is possible to handle all this with a reduced team and a much smaller investment, and still counting on the right partnerships, because you can't do it all by yourself! A great help is a virtual event platform, like the one from expertshare, which can help with tasks such as registration and certifications, while you study to find ways to make your event even better.

10. They increase sales

Yes, that's right! One of the benefits of virtual events is the possibility to increase your sales. Think with me, your event will reach a much larger audience and this will increase your numbers. Of course, everything will depend on the promotion and sales strategy you use.These results may not appear in the first edition of the event, especially if it is your first contact with this type of organization. But take advantage of the fact that the Internet allows you not only to reach more people, but also to follow those interested in your type of event. So, invest in these people! Send exclusive content, make posts that engage on social networks to demonstrate your authority on the subject and make them remember your event!

11. Makes your event known better

This, without a doubt, is the greatest desire of every event organizer. Who doesn't want to have their event as a reference in the market, to be recognized and known inside and outside the country?There are no limits when it comes to the Internet. So grab hold of all the possibilities it offers to spread the idea and the name of your event. You can, for example, get in touch with some micro-influencers that speak to your target audience to work on a well-directed promotion that seeks to reach not only many people, but mainly the right people!You can do this through social networks and sponsored posts, sending e-mail marketing, and nurturing these people with good content and consistency. What will really impact these people is the positioning of your event. Show that you have authority on the subject and more and more people will be interested in what you have to talk about.Tip: You need to know the advantages of investing in email marketing, an essential strategy for online events! Click here and check out our e-book that has all the directions for those who want to learn about the subject!

12. Generates material for the post-event

One of the main advantages of doing an online event is having, at the end of the event, content to use as you wish. What in physical events require a specialized team to make the recordings of the lectures, increasing the costs, can be done while your event takes place, at no additional cost!Later, this material can be used to promote the next editions or as an online course that can be sold, for example. You can also make the complete event available on your YouTube channel, if you have one, of course. What you cannot miss is the chance to take advantage of this material!

13. Provides interaction and engagement

Those who think it is impossible to create engagement during an online event are wrong, on the contrary! Besides participating in the event, people feel more comfortable to comment and ask questions, through the chat, because they feel closer to the speakers. Without a doubt, having that speaker that used to be on a stage, distant and often without access, in the online event the reality is another.

But how can I create an online event?

Much has been said about the benefits of virtual events, especially after so many adjustments we needed to make in our routines because of Covid-19 and the need for social distance. And it's not for nothing, after all, this has been the best option to continue investing in the events market, to discover the digital world even more and to keep organizing amazing events!Creating an online event is very simple! You need to take care of the planning, think about the objectives, define the team, budget, and other details typical of any event. One of the main differences in this modality is the exchange of choosing a physical place for a tool for online transmission.In addition, it is also very important to choose, as soon as possible, an event platform to help in the organization, because online events can be very different from physical ones, but still have the same needs, such as creating the site, selling registrations, accreditation, and issuing certificates, among others.

A virtual meeting means a web conference, contrary to an in person event. It is a gathering completely held over the internet using applications or services with the possibility of sharing presentations, voice, video, texts, and files via the web.When conducting a virtual meeting, each participant watches from his or her own computer. The web conference can occur either through a specific application installed in each of the participating computers, or through a web application that runs inside the browser by simply typing the address of the site where the virtual event will take place; most of the time a registration is required.There is a specific type of virtual meeting, known as a webinar (from "web" + "seminar"), in which the communication is one-way, that is, only one person speaks, and the others watch and listen. Interaction between participants is limited to chat only, so participants can talk to each other or send questions to the speaker.Conducting a meeting is a common and everyday practice in the corporate environment. The thing that has changed in more recent years is the way in which it takes place because technological improvements have made it possible to reduce distances and make meetings that used to be only face-to-face, now also a virtual meeting.Taking into account that teams are increasingly leaner and deadlines are tighter, the solution of a pending issue cannot depend on how the traffic is on a certain day, if the weather conditions are favorable, or if there is an availability of hotels and tickets. And that's where this kind of technology comes in: to help with the day to day needs of the business world.

Is a virtual meeting always recommended?

According to a new study commissioned by Microsoft, for 85% of the professionals, remote meetings already offer as positive an experience as face-to-face meetings.According to the survey, conducted with internet users, professionals between 25 and 34 years old are the ones who most attend remote meetings (52%). In the general analysis, 47% of the respondents say they participate in work meetings remotely.Considering the importance of meetings for the corporate environment, it is necessary to know when the physical meeting is really indispensable. Obviously, technology does not replace personal contact, but it is a way to optimize time and resources and should be adopted whenever feasible.Regardless of your choice, here are some tips to help you look your best when attending a meeting.

Be punctual

Punctuality is fundamental for any self-respecting professional, whether for meetings or for any other activity or commitment. It is not uncommon to see meetings start late because of professionals who are not committed or who are too "busy" to honor their commitment.All organizers/executors should start meetings on time. This is a clear sign of respect for the professionals who are present, who have made the effort to show up at the scheduled time.

Training

Mastering the subject you are about to discuss makes the meeting more productive. Remember: successful meetings contribute to the company's overall success.

Learn to listen

Even if you have called the meeting, it is not a lecture! Meetings are for exchanging ideas in order to solve a certain issue. Only attend or call meetings that are actually necessary. -by doing this you gain credibility, because your guests will know that when they are called, it is because something important needs to be addressed.

Focus

Speak only what is necessary and indispensable. Meetings without a clear focus will generate discussions that can go on for hours without leading to anything. You should clearly avoid this type of virtual meeting.

The right tools

If it is a virtual meeting, don't forget that having the right tools will help ensure the success of your meeting. And for this, you can always count on expertshare! We are here to deliver the communication solution according to your team's needs!Virtual meetings are increasingly being adopted by different organizations, especially during the pandemic. This is because they are quick to organize, cost-effective, and bring the most relevant people into the meeting, wherever they are. However, a virtual meeting can be difficult to run and needs a different approach than regular face-to-face meetings to maintain good teamwork. What was once the exception has now become the rule: With the protective measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, the home office has been widely adopted by companies in different industries. In this context, meetings via the Internet and video conferencing have become ubiquitous. Depending on your position, it is difficult to go a week (or even a day) without attending one of these meetings.Since this situation is new and can lead to a series of unforeseen events, some of them quite inconvenient, it is important to adopt some rules of etiquette for virtual meetings. So before you turn on your webcam, read the tips we have separated to prevent any embarrassment during work and make the most of these tasks.

What is the importance of virtual meeting etiquette?

Just because the meeting is virtual doesn't mean it is unprofessional. That is why it is important to think about what is a good tone and what should be avoided while participating in this type of activity. And the best way to do this is through a series of small recommendations, which in the end make all the difference. Besides avoiding embarrassment and awkwardness, applying some etiquette rules for virtual meetings ensures that the time spent is better used, avoiding that very common feeling that a meeting could have been an email. Adopting such practices also avoids miscommunication, prevents misunderstandings, and reduces the stress and fatigue generated by this form of meeting, even more so in a context in which employees may be saturated with exclusive digital contact. The concern about how to act in virtual meetings must be amplified when we think that, before the current situation, many professionals were not used to participating in meetings of this type or even were not used to communicating with their teams and coworkers only through digital means.

What are the best tips to avoid problems?

To ensure that your virtual meetings run as smoothly as possible, here is a list of simple but valuable tips. This way, there will be more chances of the meeting delivering the expected results, contributing to the well-being at work in such an atypical moment.

Hold your meetings in an appropriate environment

When it comes to setting up the workstation at home to attend a business meeting, the location must be carefully chosen. First of all, it needs to be quiet and still. This helps to avoid distractions and interruptions.The background of the location, which will appear behind the camera, should be as neutral as possible so that it does not draw the attention of the other participants. A wall is most recommended, but a bookshelf with books from the office doesn't usually create many problems either.

Dress appropriately

As much as the home office encourages the tempting urge to work in your pajamas, never show up for a virtual meeting dressed like that. Although some companies have flexibility in their dress code during the remote working period, the ideal is to attend these meetings in the same way as if it were face-to-face.In other words, this also includes combing your hair and brushing your teeth. Such carelessness can generate embarrassment, so don't ignore it just because you are working from home, ok? Besides avoiding embarrassment, this kind of care can help in the motivation of the workday.

Be careful with the camera and microphone

Before and during the meeting, be careful how you use the camera and microphone. With rare exceptions (such as a bad connection) it is not appropriate to leave the camera closed, as this cuts off visual contact with the other participants.Anyone who is not speaking should leave the microphone off. This helps to avoid unpleasant noises while others are chatting, which can damage the momentum of the moment. For smaller errands, the chat feature that most video conferencing platforms make available to participants can be used.

Maintain a professional demeanor

Think of everything you would never do in a face-to-face meeting, and don't do any of it in a virtual meeting. So, never run away from the subject of the meeting, do not interrupt the other participants, and, whenever it is your turn to speak, try to be clear and concise in your message. Don't forget to greet the other participants as a sign of politeness and consideration for their participation.

Test everything in advance

Always set aside a few minutes before any meeting to test everything that will be used. Open the platform used, see if the connection is stable, and if the microphone and camera are working accordingly. Such care prevents setbacks from preventing your participation or delaying the progress of the appointment, which always generates irritation.

Avoid delays

Another tip to avoid being late is not to connect to the meeting at the last minute. All participants should, whenever possible, be present a few minutes before the scheduled time. This way, any problems can be solved in time, without delaying the start of the activity.

Draw up a script and separate the documents

Will you be using a PowerPoint presentation? Have it saved and easily accessible before the meeting starts and test it more than once in advance. Whenever you share your screen to show any document, be careful not to expose sensitive information.To optimize the meeting time, it is always worthwhile to develop and share in advance a script with all the topics that will be discussed. Any documents important to the discussion should be shared in advance as well.

Be patient

Finally, exercise patience. Everyone is subject to a connection bottleneck or some inconvenient noise during the meeting, such as the noise of the children or the dog, for example. In most cases, it is possible to take such mishaps without much effort and keep the meeting going. When it comes to promoting more productive and enjoyable virtual meetings, it is up to HR to establish some rules of good conduct (such as those shown here in this article). HR professionals can reinforce that such meetings should always be scheduled in moderation, to avoid the fatigue caused by too many of them, something that is becoming increasingly common.Even after the pandemic, video conferencing is expected to be widely used, as it is practical and reduces travel costs. So, to facilitate the adaptation to this "new normal", adopt these tips on virtual meeting etiquette and get the best out of these tools.

What to look for in a virtual meeting room?

In a world with less and less time to perform tasks, corporate mobility gains a fundamental role in companies. If you do not know this concept, know that it's time to learn more about the innovations that allow connecting managers and employees in various parts of the world. And what about starting by setting up an ideal conference room for you to handle strategic matters? Companies today have adopted decentralized structures in the distribution of human resources - both in relation to management and other employees. The strategy is linked to the need to expand to numerous markets, taking advantage of all existing business opportunities.

What is corporate mobility?

Corporate mobility defines the essence of many companies today, and makes it possible to do business in various parts of the country - and the world. For this, it is necessary to develop technological tools that allow employees to access emails via tablets and smartphones, and to be connected to the network 100% of the time, shortening the path of the decision-making process. In fact, the great objective of corporate mobility is to enable the employee to work at a distance with the same resources that would be available at his desk. This is a virtualization of the work environment made possible by the technological advances of recent years.

What about the virtual meeting room?

Faced with the concept of corporate mobility, it is easy to understand the fundamental role of virtual meeting rooms for holding conferences.Meetings are already part of the routine of most companies and, with distance working, they need to undergo some changes. After all, it is not always (or almost never) possible to gather all participants in the same physical environment. To solve the problem, once again technology comes into play in the service of corporate mobility. Nothing can be lost in a meeting room, be it a meeting between teams or a conversation with a client. Thus, it is necessary to look for equipment that ensures that the meeting takes place between participants separated by great distances, as if they were all in the same environment.It is therefore essential to use quality resources, such as powerful microphones, high-definition screens, stations for connecting different equipment, and so on. Let's explore this topic a little further. From now on, you will learn how to set up a top-quality structure for your virtual meeting room.

Projection screen

One of the main elements of a good conference room is the projection screen and it should be versatile, visible, and well integrated into the environment. It must be suitable for video presentations as well as for the projection of graphs, spreadsheets, and images. The screen must be of an adequate size so that it can be seen from different points in the room, and it must be integrated with the computers. Some modern screens have touch screen functionality, very useful in presentations.

Video Conferencing System

Videoconferencing is a meeting model that is being used more and more, precisely because of the practicality of bringing together several professionals located in different places around the planet. For the meeting to be productive, it is fundamental to have a good high-resolution camera and a sound system (microphone and speakers) that works without interferencesor squeaks. It is important to remember that the sound must be crystal clear to all participants in the meeting. Otherwise, the meeting may not be productive. It is also essential that reliable software be installed to manage the video conference, ensuring the integrity of the system and the security of the information.

PoE system

PoE - or Power over Ethernet - is one of the great trends in terms of electronic equipment installation. It is the use of the Internet to feed the existing resources in the conference room, eliminating the need for power outlets. Thus, it is possible to save energy and better organize the environment, without so many scattered wires. In addition to linking all the computers into a single transmission center, the system allows the sharing of files and information among participants, increasing the feeling of interactivity.

Telephone

A good meeting room needs a well-mounted telephone system. For this, it is necessary to use the resources available in the market, to obtain multiple lines and good quality calls. Today's corporate phone handsets have systems such as data encryption, Ethernet outlets, and LCD screens that allow for one-to-one video conferencing.

Sound Insulation System

The isolation must be efficient. This means that the meeting should not be impacted by sounds coming from outside. Also, especially when it comes to confidential matters, the sound should not be audible to anyone who is not present in the room.

Lighting

Sobriety should mark the lighting of the whole office in general and the video conference room is no exception. To improve the comfort of the participants, it is possible to adopt dimmable lights, which can darken or illuminate the environment, according to need.

Size

Depending on the size of the company, the ideal is to have more than one meeting room, so that you have options when it comes to holding the meetings. A small room should accommodate between two to six people comfortably. A medium-sized room should be prepared to host six to twelve people, while a large room needs to be able to accommodate about twenty participants or more.As you have seen, without a suitable conference room your corporate mobility plan can suffer. This means that you will have fewer employees and directors available at key moments, missing out on important business precisely because you don't have the best resources. And in today's extremely competitive market, this is unacceptable.So, now that you know how to set up a good conference room, how about continuing the strategy? A concept also related to corporate mobility is that of visual attendance, another major trend in the current business market and you will learn all about it and see how to implement it in your company. Have you ever attended, or even facilitated, a virtual meeting where you had trouble following the discussion and realized that not everyone was able to actively participate? Or that they couldn't reach a concrete conclusion at the end of the conversation?

Virtual event marketing as such, offers the chance of meeting multiple objectives and in the following paragraphs, I will give you some basic guidelines of virtual event marketing as a B2C strategy.Since 2020, the world we used to know has changed - and therefore companies have had to transform and adapt to new forms of consumption by customers. We transitioned our event marketing business in just a few weeks from mainly organizing offline events to the creation of fully fledged digital online events. Whether you sell products or services where the number of potential customers is high, implementing virtual event marketing as a B2C "business to consumer" sales strategy will help you capture the attention of your audience to achieve your main goal: Generating more sales.

What is virtual event marketing?

Virtual event marketing is a specialized strategy based on 3 pillars: entertainment, emotion and initiative, which like physical event marketing serves to develop a brand and conceptualize memorable experiences for the consumer. It seeks to give the attendee a unique experience that makes them identify with the brand and quickly connect with it virtually.Whether live or virtual, people never lose that intrinsic need to interact with each other. One way to connect without putting us at risk today is through digital rooms that offer various applications and streaming services, which allow us to meet, learn and interact, thus making virtual event marketing work.But the most important thing about the virtual event is making it known. In order to achieve good results with our event it is necessary that within the planning there is a well-designed virtual event marketing strategy so that as many people as possible know about the event we are organizing. This can easily be achieved with online advertising.Nowadays online advertising has much more diffusion than offline. In fact, channels such as websites, blogs or social networks allow us to reach much more directly to those who meet the profile of people interested in the event, which saves time and money.Planning well the digital marketing strategy of your event will contribute significantly to its success. But remember, it must be comprehensive advertising. This means that you must publicize your event before the event, during its execution and also after. So that those who have not attended can see what they have missed and feel more encouraged to participate in the next one.Any of these five tools that we have recommended are valid for the marketing strategy of your event if you use them well and adapt them to each specific case. But there are others that are also very useful, such as creating an event app, working on SEO or running an SEM campaign.It can also be a very good idea to combine digital advertising with offline advertising. Don't forget that there are certain profiles that may be interested in your event but for one reason or another don't usually use social networks, read blogs, etc. Your goal is to cover all fronts to make attendance a success.

Virtual Event Marketing as a B2C strategy

When we are talking about the strategic planning of an event, we should take into account a very important item: marketing your brand. We at expertshare have always been involved in event marketing while creating experiences for brands. With the event of COVID-19, we made a big change in the way that we were delivering these event experiences to the final consumer of the brand. Bluntly speaking, we basically completely transformed offline experiences to online experiences where the audience could participate from home.This allows the brand to interact directly with prospects and customers, without intermediaries, generating remembrance and loyalty through emotions. It also generates public traffic through communication via different channels to convene the event, during the event and its subsequent socialization. The marketing of virtual events has the potential to meet multiple objectives and in this article, I will give you some basic guidelines for marketing virtual events as a B2C strategy.

1. The planning phase

If you consider this strategy to increase your sales, you must be extremely organized. When we create an event we must have very specific objectives to conceptualize it, develop a budget, a schedule of activities before, during and after the event, have a vision of how we will measure the investment made for it and how it should be reflected in the sales of my product or service, including how to communicate it to different audiences that may have the event. How do I know what my objectives are besides sales: Do I want to expand my database? Do I want to have more visibility? Do I want to become memorable in the minds of my customers? These are just a few ideas to clearly define the planning of the virtual event.

2. How to develop the strategy

Once you have planned, you know how much you are going to spend and who you have to hire, you can start looking for alliances that will strengthen your event and help you achieve your objectives; taking into account that they should also benefit from their participation. The most important thing to keep in mind and that will help to successfully sell the event, is to be clear about the target audience you want to reach. We will identify it with demographic, social, economic and geographic variables, and we will add the interests of the people who are part of this audience. It makes a difference if you only want your customers to come and gain their loyalty or if you want new people to get to know you and attract them. You will also have to design the communication strategy for the different audiences and be able to achieve the "call to action", which is nothing more and nothing less than that they buy from you. Tip to keep in mind: it is more expensive to attract a new customer than to retain one who is already loyal to the brand.

3. Creating an experience

There are many ways to create a concept for the virtual event, many of us come up with ideas before knowing what we are going to use the event for, others during the planning and others create it according to the objectives of the brand and with knowledge of their audience or the one they want to reach.The important thing here is to create a memorable experience so that attendees leave talking very well of your event and for this I will give you a key: talk about the event before, during and after the event itself, and as mentioned above, each audience should receive the communication in their own language and through the appropriate channel for it. This way you will notice how the attendees themselves are in charge of telling their circle how well or not they had a good time, what they experienced and how they want to relate to your brand afterwards.

4. Branding

Vital when creating an experience in a virtual event marketing strategy: The branding or brand building process where the graphic image of the brand and its values are involved; should be even more impactful than for a physical event, since many of the senses will play in favor of your brand if you know how to direct them to generate positive emotions in the attendee to your event. Even if they are not all physically in the same room, they should feel emotionally connected with each other and with the brand.If you want to add value to your event, what products will you give to your attendees with your brand's logo? Where will they see your brand during the event, both on their screen and on the products they receive for the experience? Prior to the event, on what channels should your brand appear so that those you want to attend can see it? What experiences should be involved during the virtual event so that attendees remember your brand? All this based on the interests of your target audience will make the final consumer talk positively about your brand afterwards.

5. Landing Page Creation

One of the most important things you’ll need to get the word out about your virtual event is to have a landing page which describes all of the advantages participants would enjoy. The landing page is a space entirely dedicated to the event. The visitor reaches it through an advertisement or a banner he has seen on another website and can quickly find out about the event.The peculiarity of a landing page is that it must be able to capture the attention in just a few seconds and get an action from the visitor. It needs to extensively describe the topics and presenters as well as give some testimonials about recent events of a similar type. Moreover, the page needs to have a conversion goal and thus, it is required to have a call-to-action on the page which could either be a free registration to your event or the sale of a ticket to your event.

6. Email marketing campaign

If you have a list of contacts already and you can contact them via email, then this is the easiest and cheapest way of letting your prospects and customers know about your virtual event. Virtual event marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. Having certain assets can certainly make your life much easier and it’s up to you to make sure that these assets continue to grow.The main objective of your email should be to get the click to the landing page. The page itself will do all of the selling for you. You don’t have to try and sell within your email already. The main job of your email is to arouse curiosity.

7. Social Media Campaign

Social media is a good advertising medium if used wisely and in moderation. You can advertise an event, but it is not advisable to bombard it with too much information. If you have enough time, you can create a whole strategy around the event, so that information about it is given little by little and in a less commercial way, using techniques such as inbound marketing. For example, if we are organizing an event aimed at entrepreneurs, we can create and share content talking about what it takes to become an entrepreneur, entrepreneurship ideas and other related topics. And, from time to time, combine this high-value information with direct advertising of the event. This is proven to be much more effective than launching ad after ad about the same thing.

8. Influencer Marketing

A technique that is increasingly used. Choose a professional who has relevance in a sector related to your event and reach an agreement with him to talk about the activity you are organizing. It is a simple way to immediately reach thousands of people who meet the profile to be interested in the event.

9. Sales and payment channels

To make the sale of your virtual event, keep in mind that the most optimal channel will always be a digital tool. Nowadays there are many tools that make life easier for the final consumer in terms of the purchase method, payment channel and even payment method that you should already have thought of from the analysis of the target audience.Some important tools to keep in mind when selling are WhatsApp links to contact you and to buy tickets to your event. For payment systems, there are different virtual wallets, bank QR's, and payment platforms. Keep in mind: From the customer's point of view, the main thing they are looking for when shopping online is to get their items as quickly, conveniently and inexpensively as possible without any intermediaries.These are some of the guidelines that you can use when creating a virtual event marketing strategy to increase your sales. But don't forget to monitor the results obtained in each of your digital campaigns. This will help you to get to know your audience better and to define guidelines on what works and what doesn't for each type of event. And it’s also a good thing to send out an email with a recording of the event so that the ones who were not able to participate will still be able to profit from the great content.Contact us if you need help organizing your next digital event online.

What does virtual event production consist of and why do you need it? The alternative to face-to-face events and seminars are virtual events: webinars, virtual fairs, etc. We at expertshare provide you with a complete guide so you can produce and run your events like a pro and your business continues to sail through the web towards growth. Start creating virtual events right now!For the past 2 years, it has not really been possible to enjoy a lot of live, face-to-face networking, with the spontaneous exchange of ideas. However, it is still possible to keep your business running smoothly, maintain contact with your customers and why not, maybe even get new leads and potential customers despite the COVID-19 crisisThe value of face-to-face interaction will never go away, but there are times when going virtual is a necessary part of your event program. So, in the face of the social distancing caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, virtual event production, such as Webinars, virtual trade shows, etc., could be the ideal alternative to get your business thriving.

Why organizing a virtual event is a chance to grow your business

Organizing a virtual event is a great opportunity to expand the geographic reach of your business marketing. Moreover, you can connect with your customers and also attract new prospects that might be interested in what you offer, among other thingsOrganizing a virtual event requires the same care and attention to details as a face-to-face or in-person event. With both events, you must do everything to effectively promote the event, engage your attendees, create memorable moments for participants and demonstrate the success of the event.By thinking of virtual events not as small, one-off presentations, but as value-added, engagement-driven experiences, you can create an event that has an impact on people and extends beyond just a computer screen. So what is holding you back from creating your own virtual events?We want to contribute to the digital and innovative growth of your business, so, we present you with this practical guide to get you started with your virtual event production. Let's start with the basics:

What is a virtual event?

Chances are you've attended an online webinar, watched an on-demand workout class, joined a meeting using a video conferencing tool, or even attended a conference from the comfort of your home or desk. These are all examples of virtual events. A virtual event is one where people experience the event and its content online rather than meeting in person.

Main types of virtual events

Virtual events are not a replacement for in-person events, but a new type that you can use to enhance your entire program. Here are the 4 main types of virtual events:

1. Virtual conferences

Like face-to-face conferences, virtual conferences contain keynotes, breakout sessions and more. Virtual conferences include multi-session content as well as community engagement tools. While not as effective in terms of participant recruitment and networking as a face-to-face event, virtual conferences allow attendees to view keynotes in real time, build their own agenda from relevant content, and interact with other attendees.

2. Webinars

Webinars usually have a length between 45 to 90 minutes and they allow attendees from around the world to join in and listen as one or more speakers present the content virtually. Companies can charge attendees to join webinars using paid online services or they can be offered for free. Webinars generally use video conferencing tools that allow for Q&A and the ability to present live or pre-recorded video and are offered on-demand, after completion.

3. Internal hybrid events

These are councils or town halls, sales kick-offs, company-wide events, trainings, department meetings and more. For organizations that span countries, even continents, internal hybrid events are used to share a message with the entire company when employees are not all gathered in the same place. While it would be great to fly every employee to your organization's headquarters, it would be incredibly expensive, and the necessary scheduling would be time-consuming.

4. External hybrid events

These events are held for those outside the organization. They can be user conferences or industry conferences. They require higher levels of video production so that virtual attendees receive a quality similar to that of in-person attendees. These events allow attendees who are unable to travel to the event to participate and learn. Interested in exploring more about hybrid events? Learn also the best pratices to implement for hybrid meeting.

Why organize a virtual event?

Virtual events are held for the same reasons as in-person events: to deliver your company's message to drive leads and revenue, drive adoption and generate lifetime loyalty. For years, meeting and event planners have been choosing between in-person, virtual and hybrid events and have come to the conclusion that each type of event has its own pros and cons.

Here are some reasons to host a virtual event:

• Accessibility: Unlike in-person events, virtual options allow you to adapt a space for participants who cannot attend in person.
• Budget: If your organization needs to cut costs and hold smaller events, webinars can help you save money, which you can then invest in a larger annual event that attracts a large number of potential customers. It also helps to have a virtual or hybrid option when attendees' travel budgets are a concern.
• No other option: Whether due to extreme weather, travel bans or an act of God, you're forced to make your in-person event a virtual one or cancel it altogether.

The basics of event planning

Event planning boils down to the fundamentals, they must be done with marketing, content promotion and customer engagement in mind. In a nutshell, these are the basics and the fundamental principles:

• Virtual events, like in-person events, need good marketing. Without targeted and effective promotion, attendance suffers.
• Content is king. In a virtual environment, your content is your event. Powerful keynotes and engaging sessions tailored to your attendees are critical.
• Solo doesn't have to mean lonely. Keep virtual attendees engaged. Offer options that are relevant to each type of attendee and use online event guides for virtual events.
• Data is the only way to demonstrate event success. Measuring engagement and capturing attendee data is the only way to demonstrate event ROI (Return on Investment) and activate the buyer's journey.

Virtual event elements

A virtual event is built on content, attendee engagement and data. While it is true that virtual events do not require food and beverage (F&B), they are made up of many of the same elements as any other type of event. Video production quality and connectivity will be important, as will the site that hosts the agenda and content. These are the elements that make up a virtual event:

• Event website
• Event registration
• Live presentation content
• Live audio / one-way video (Live Streaming)
• Questions and answers (Q&A)
• Live attendee surveys
• Note taking / favorite slides
• Recorded content
• Interactive video conferences
• Feedback surveys

Virtual event technology platforms

Virtual events rely on technology. Attendance would not be possible without the use of computers and mobile devices. But virtual event technology requires more than just video conferencing tools. Just like a face-to-face event, virtual events benefit from the use of an entire event technology platform that helps you promote, execute and manage your event. Here are the most important pieces of event technology to use when preparing for the virtual event production. Event website: Your event website is used for promotion. It serves the same purpose regardless of whether the event is virtual or in-person. Your event website is your key promotional tool to interest potential attendees and entice them to register for the event. Your event website should communicate the value of the virtual event, contain the schedule, showcase speakers, include frequently asked questions and answers, and point potential attendees to registrationRegistration: Registration is your first data collection tool and is critical to your event. Registration tools allow attendees to register for virtual events, submit preferences and personal information, and provide payments, if necessary. A robust online registration tool allows attendees to easily register and provides organizers and vendors with the information needed to plan a great event and demonstrate its success.Email: Email marketing can drive demand and increase registrations, keep attendees informed prior to the event and be used to engage attendees prior to your virtual event through feedback surveys. Email is the best way to communicate with attendees at all stages of the event.Online event guide and mobile event app: One of the most important pieces of virtual event technology, are the online event guide and mobile event app as they are the base of operations for attendees during the virtual event production.These tools work on mobile devices and web browsers and are the main information hub for attendees. Agendas with links to sessions put content at attendees' fingertips. This is where attendees choose which sessions to add to their agenda and where planners collect data on session popularity and attendee participation. These tools also connect attendees and provide messaging tools that allow attendees to network and foster connections virtually.Event Feedback: Event feedback is crucial for virtual events when organizers do not have the ability to gauge reactions from attendees' verbal expressions or comments on-site. Use event feedback tools to collect feedback through post-event surveys that can be used to demonstrate the success of the event. In addition, event feedback can be used as a tool to qualify virtual leads and drive them to sales.Integrations: Integrations ensure that vital registration and attendee data is shared between your event technology system and your virtual event platform. It also allows this data to be shared with your marketing automation and CRM systems. Use integration tools to keep your attendee data in one place so you can reach prospects faster and analyze key event insights, such as session attendance and engagement.

These are the key factors for the virtual event production that will make your virtual event a success

Virtual event strategy: Lay out the objectives and strategy for the virtual event and make sure the entire organization is aligned with them. It is necessary to consider how to engage the audience, lead generation, benefits to be obtained, brand image, etc. You must take these considerations into account in the design of the content, the budget, the technology to be used, the sponsorship, etc.Audience definition: Look at your database and study which segments would be interested in your company's approaches. This is a great opportunity to consider new audiences from sectors, industries or professions that your company has not yet addressed.Address guide: provide attendees with a guide on how to attend the event virtually.Links: In the agenda, add links to the recording of the session or live broadcast.An attractive web or landing page is essential. One of the keys to convince attendees is to create an attractive web page or landing page.

Look for partners to promote the event

Partners, speakers and other event ambassadors can help distribute the message. Generate easy and customizable content so that ambassadors can promote the event on social media and other media.

Give a preview of the content

Giving a preview of the content is a good thing. Posting on social media and other media such as short videos that encourage participation and advance content will increase the number of registrations.

Deliver proof of your virtual event success

Virtual event success depends on aligning event and business objectives, identifying key performance indicators to define event success before the event, and analyzing event data and reviewing insights after the event. Testing the event's Return on Investment (ROI) requires a cost-benefit analysis. Costs are expressed as direct costs, indirect expenses and opportunity costs. Benefits refer to direct revenue, attributed revenue, attributed sales pipeline, brand equity and knowledge sharing.By using data collected during virtual events to weigh costs and benefits, you can demonstrate the success of your event. Articulate your event success metrics before your event begins. After the event, take the time to understand if the virtual event production was successful based on your metrics and analyze how to improve it in the future.Now you have the basics to start organizing your virtual events and make your business achieve the long-awaited success, using technological tools. Dare and push the limits!If you want to learn about other topics that will help you position your company in the digital era, as well as receive the best financing options that fit you and technical and commercial support to be able to face any crisis, get in touch with expertshare, the virtual event production experts.

Per ottimizzare l'impatto di un evento virtuale, è fondamentale implementare una strategia di comunicazione prima, durante e dopo l'evento. Come promuovere un evento virtuale sui social media? Qui, otterrai la risposta in 12 passaggi essenziali!

Ma ricorda: il successo di un evento non è mai garantito.

Nonostante l'investimento finanziario, nonostante il tempo che dedichi alla sua organizzazione e la qualità della tua programmazione, non è garantito che il tuo evento smuoverà la folla. Per mettere tutte le possibilità dalla tua parte e ottenere i risultati a cui ambisci, è fondamentale promuovere il tuo evento.

Come? Con una vera strategia!

Comunicare sul tuo evento ti permetterà di acquisire visibilità e notorietà, di aumentare il numero dei partecipanti e il loro impegno. Per promuovere il tuo evento prima, durante e dopo il D-day, i social network sono leve rilevanti.

Come promuovere un evento virtuale sui social media (webinar, conferenza online, video summit...)? Infatti, con il moltiplicarsi degli eventi online, assistiamo a un'erosione del pubblico e a una diminuzione delle iscrizioni. Ad esempio, in 1 anno, il tasso di partecipazione dal vivo ai webinar è sceso da quasi il 40% a circa il 30%, con un tasso di riproduzione che ora scende a circa il 20%.

Da qui l'importanza di promuovere con attenzione il tuo webinar per:

• Ottieni più iscritti
• Convinci più persone a partecipare al webinar dal vivo (es.: offri un regalo alla fine, evidenzia le domande e risposte con gli esperti...)
• Incoraggia le persone a guardare il replay

Promuovere un evento virtuale e ottenere il numero massimo di partecipanti

Che sia virtuale, ibrido o fisico, la partecipazione a un evento è la posta in gioco principale.

Il numero delle iscrizioni avrà necessariamente un ruolo nel numero dei partecipanti, anche se è necessario lavorare anche sul percorso dei partecipanti (dalla registrazione all'invio della replica). Adottando poche buone abitudini e buoni riflessi potrete organizzare un evento che sarà percepito come eccezionale.

Se non riesci a promuoverlo in modo efficace e a convincere il tuo pubblico di destinazione, non importa quanti sforzi metti nell'organizzazione o la qualità dei contenuti proposti, avrai lavorato duramente per un risultato che non sarà all'altezza alle vostre aspettative e al vostro budget.

Un evento digitale (chiamato anche webinar, webinar, conferenza online...) è un evento online a cui le persone partecipano solo tramite Internet. Da parte dell'organizzatore, l'evento viene trasmesso o da uno studio con telecamere e regista, o semplicemente tramite un PC utilizzando strumenti webinar.

Pertanto, questi eventi digitali o connessi consentono la trasmissione di messaggi senza un incontro fisico. Il vantaggio di questo tipo di eventi è quello di aumentare la loro portata e di ottenere una dimensione nazionale (o anche internazionale), in quanto i partecipanti possono partecipare senza viaggiare e persino vedere il replay se non sono disponibili.

È possibile digitalizzare tutti i tipi di eventi?

Dalle convention ai seminari alle feste aziendali, è possibile digitalizzare quasi tutti i formati di eventi.

Organizzare un evento online non è dei più complicati, perché l'investimento parte da meno di 100 €/mese per una piattaforma di eventi online, per salire a più di 10 mila € per l'affitto di uno studio con tutto il team (regista, truccatore ...).

Prima di promuoverlo, assicurati di progettare un evento che abbia senso per il tuo pubblico di destinazione. Deve fornire un reale valore aggiunto che li incoraggi a partecipare. Tieni presente un principio chiave che dovrebbe guidare i tuoi sforzi promozionali "Perché i miei contatti dovrebbero partecipare al mio evento online, qual è il vantaggio per loro?"

Ricorda che il tuo pubblico è eccessivamente sollecitato da molti eventi simili al tuo. Nell'ultimo anno hanno partecipato a riunioni di videoconferenza, webinar online che non sono sempre rilevanti e altri eventi basati su telecamere. Questo consumo eccessivo di videoconferenze genera una vera e propria "stanchezza da Zoom" in molti utenti di Internet.

Il sintomo "Fatica da Zoom" significa che le persone sono un po' stanche degli eventi online "senza sapore" o valore aggiunto, e questo le renderà ancora più selettive con gli eventi proposti!

Un evento si basa soprattutto sulla scelta di un target, di un messaggio da veicolare e di un ambiente dedicato. Quindi definisci con largo anticipo le aspettative, i bisogni, le frustrazioni e i punti deboli del tuo pubblico. Quindi progetta l'evento su misura per soddisfare i loro desideri, aspettative e atteggiamenti. Offri loro contenuti unici e utili che ti differenzieranno dai tuoi concorrenti.

In questo modo regalerai loro una vera esperienza, fatta su misura per loro!

Branding dell'evento

Fondamentale il branding legato all'evento. Il nome dell'evento associato al suo logo gli permette di farne conoscere l'esistenza. È un elemento di differenziazione dalla concorrenza. Dà anche la possibilità di identificare e caratterizzare l'evento. Questo territorio partecipa anche alla sensorialità e alla narrazione intorno all'evento.

La scelta di un nome per il tuo evento e il suo logo rimane strategica.

12 passi per promuovere un evento sui social media

Passaggio #1 | Scegli i social network giusti

Per promuovere efficacemente un evento sui social è necessario prima selezionare strategicamente le piattaforme su cui comunicare. Per scegliere correttamente quali social network utilizzare per promuovere il tuo evento, pensa ai tuoi obiettivi e al tuo pubblico di destinazione:

• Chi è il tuo obiettivo?
• Cosa si aspettano da te?
• Quali contenuti amano consumare?
• Su quali piattaforme?

Per andare oltre: quali social network scegliere per la tua azienda?

Passaggio #2 | Definisci un hashtag per il tuo evento

L'hashtag ha un duplice vantaggio nel promuovere un evento sui social network.

Innanzitutto, ti permetterà di seguire e analizzare tutto ciò che viene detto prima, durante e dopo il tuo evento. Questo monitoraggio ti permetterà di adeguare in tempo reale l'organizzazione e la promozione del tuo evento. Quindi, l'hashtag ti permetterà di rafforzare l'immagine del tuo evento. Infine, l'evento è un prodotto in cui l'hashtag è il marchio.

In questo approccio, l'hashtag rafforzerà anche il sentimento di appartenenza a una comunità tra i partecipanti. Per promuovere il tuo evento con un hashtag di qualità, scegli un hashtag semplice e breve.

Ricorda che su Twitter i tweet sono limitati a 280 caratteri. Inoltre, per incoraggiare i partecipanti a utilizzare il tuo hashtag, non esitare a usarlo per comunicare tutto ciò che fai. In ogni tuo post sui social network, sulle tue immagini, sulla location dell'evento ecc...

Infine, prendi in considerazione la possibilità di chiedere ai partecipanti di menzionare questo hashtag per comunicare intorno all'evento sui social network.

Passaggio #3 | Fai qualche presa in giro

Per promuovere il tuo evento sui social network e convincere il tuo target a partecipare, devi fargli venire l'acquolina in bocca. Per fare questo, ben prima del grande giorno, inizia a promuovere il tuo evento sui social network raccontando il dietro le quinte dell'organizzazione o rivelando regolarmente piccole parti del programma.

Per comunicare bene intorno al tuo evento, devi generare interesse e anticipazione.

Passaggio #4 | Invita gli influencer

Indipendentemente dall'attività in cui ti trovi, è probabile che ci siano migliaia di influencer che puoi invitare al tuo evento. Gli influencer hanno una comunità ampia e impegnata. Se sono interessati al tuo evento, non esiteranno a promuoverlo sui loro social network o sul loro sito web.

Attenzione, gli influencer sono molto cortesi. Quindi abbi cura di personalizzare il tuo messaggio e sii creativo!

Passaggio #5 | Designare qualcuno con cui comunicare durante l'evento

Organizzo regolarmente conferenze sul web marketing e la comunicazione digitale. Gestisco tutta la comunicazione dell'evento e la sua organizzazione. Tuttavia, il giorno dell'evento, non posso essere sul palco e comunicare sui social..

La soluzione qui per ottimizzare la promozione di un evento è designare una persona per comunicare durante l'evento sui social network pubblicando citazioni, foto o video.

Passaggio #6 | Trasmetti in diretta l'evento

Quando organizzi un evento, inevitabilmente ci sono persone che non possono partecipare all'evento.

Eppure, sono sedotti dal tema...

Non lasciarli nella loro frustrazione e lascia che seguano il tuo evento dal vivo. Per trasmettere un evento dal vivo, hai diversi strumenti come Periscope o Facebook Live. Uno dei vantaggi dell'utilizzo del live streaming per trasmettere il tuo evento è che avrai quindi un video per consentire a chi non è presente di riprodurlo tramite YouTube o qualsiasi altra piattaforma.

Passaggio #7 | Offri una connessione Wi-Fi

Se vuoi che i partecipanti comunichino sul tuo evento in diretta sui social media, devi assicurarti che abbiano tutti una connessione sufficiente. Il modo migliore per farlo è offrire l'accesso Wi-Fi e pubblicare i passaggi per connettersi ad esso durante l'evento.

Puoi anche fornire un promemoria verbale del login e della password prima di iniziare il tuo evento.

Passaggio #8 | Trasmetti il ​​feed Twitter in diretta durante l'evento

Per incoraggiare i partecipanti a comunicare in diretta sui social media, niente è più rilevante che pubblicare in diretta ciò che viene detto sui social media.

È umano, siamo più tentati di fare qualcosa se molti prima di noi l'hanno fatto. Vedere il feed di Twitter in diretta scorrere l'evento renderà i tuoi partecipanti più tentati di agire.

Passaggio #9 | Scatta più foto possibile

Per massimizzare la visibilità del tuo evento e aiutare a comunicare quanto segue, prendi in considerazione la possibilità di scattare quante più foto spontanee possibile. Se puoi, pianifica un luogo divertente ed esteticamente gradevole in cui i partecipanti possano scattare foto di se stessi. Le persone lo adorano e saranno sicure di condividere quelle fantastiche foto sui social media.

Inoltre, pubblicando le foto migliori sui tuoi social dopo l'evento, potrai mantenere la visibilità portata dall'evento e incoraggerai i partecipanti a unirsi a te solo per vedere come appaiono negli scatti.

Passaggio #10 | Fare un rapporto

La fine di un evento non significa la fine della sua promozione. Come promuovere il tuo evento virtuale sui social media? Con i social media, puoi continuare a promuovere il tuo evento pubblicando un resoconto di ciò che è successo quel giorno. Testi, foto, video... tutto è buono per far rivivere l'evento ai partecipanti e permettere a chi si è perso di vedere cosa si è perso.

Continuare a comunicare il tuo evento ti permetterà di godere ancora per un po' della visibilità che ti offre.

Passaggio #11 | Imposta la data successiva

Il successo del tuo evento dovrebbe consentirti di massimizzare l'impatto del prossimo. Quindi non esitate a utilizzare i social network per fissare il vostro prossimo appuntamento! Può essere interessante qui consentire ai membri della tua comunità di registrarsi per il prossimo evento tramite un modulo come Eventbrite o Doodle.

I partecipanti soddisfatti vorranno già prenotare il loro posto e gli assenti frustrati non vorranno perdere la prossima scadenza.

Passaggio #12 | Sii originale!

Come sai, non sei l'unico ad organizzare eventi.

Ai tuoi clienti e potenziali clienti viene chiesto aiuto da tutte le parti e sono pienamente consapevoli che un evento di solito ha uno scopo commerciale. Perché il tuo evento abbia successo, non tutto dipende dalla promozione. Il tuo evento deve essere un evento di qualità e portare valore aggiunto ai partecipanti.

Pensa attentamente a ciò che il tuo evento può portare al tuo pubblico di destinazione e trova la formula che ti farà distinguere dalla concorrenza. Promuovere un evento originale è un gioco da ragazzi. La promozione di un evento imperfetto può funzionare una volta, ma la volta successiva sarai solo all'evento...

Conclusione:

La promozione di un evento virtuale richiede tecniche molto più avanzate rispetto a un evento fisico. Trattandosi di un progetto online, è attraverso questo stesso canale che dovrai lanciare la tua campagna di marketing. Tuttavia, alcune pratiche standard di comunicazione pre-evento sono ancora applicabili, anche per questo formato.

Il web è pieno di possibilità per promuovere il tuo evento virtuale. Devi solo trovare i mezzi che corrispondono ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi mezzi. Ora sai come promuovere il tuo evento virtuale sui social media.

What is a live streaming platform and in which cases do you need one? A live streaming event is nothing more than broadcasting an event or a live video stream to people’s phones or computers. We have known this concept all of our lives. We have watched television which also aired live events but in this case, the streaming is completely digital because it needs to be broadcast over the Internet.The broadcasting of a digital audio and/or video signal, in which data packets are downloaded and simultaneously listened to and/or watched on our computers or mobile devices, is known as streaming broadcasting. Because it is a burst of data that packs audio and / or video.

Broadcasting events via a live streaming platform is a matter of quality

The quality of transmitting events depends on the amount of sampling bits per second for the reconstruction of the signal. As well as the number of frames used to create the video per second. The higher the bit rate per second and the higher the number of frames per second, the higher the broadcast quality. Therefore, for streaming events, there certainly is a high bandwidth requirement of the connection.This means that, if the download speed and bandwidth of the Internet connection are not good enough, the broadcast will not be viewed with the highest possible quality for those who consume it. Additionally, another basic concept for this topic is the capacity of the server to which the users will connect during the broadcast. There can be tens, hundreds or thousands of viewers according to the type of event.

Sufficient upload speed and bandwidth are needed

The same applies to the broadcasters. That is to say, for each high quality streaming transmission channel, a sufficient upload speed and bandwidth are required. Which allows it to pass that amount of data packets per second so the broadcast signal can be reconstructed correctly in the desired real time.For each audio and video channel transmitted in HD, an average of 5 Mb/s of available bandwidth is required. Both for broadcast (upstream) and for reception (downstream), if we want to achieve 720 or 1080p video on screen.This implies that if we want to broadcast events or be Live simultaneously through five social networks (YouTube, Twitter/Periscope, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn) and a video conference room (e.g. expertshare, Zoom, Meet, etc), the minimum we would have to have as upstream bandwidth to these channels would be 6 x 5MBb/s = 30 Mb/s.

Expectation vs. Reality

Now, in most of our standard Internet connections we can have several tens of MB/s of download (i.e. downstream of 10, 25, 50, 75, 150 MB/s) but the upload speed and bandwidth (upstream) does not exceed 5Mb/s, so, on average, we only broadcast a single HD channel simultaneously.For some countries for example, the average download speeds/bandwidth are less than 10Mb/s and upload speeds/bandwidth do not exceed 2Mb/s, so they have to limit themselves to broadcasting recorded videos uploaded to video podcast channels. It is worth saying that these bandwidths are enough to broadcast live HD audio, but not video.There are other countries or other premium internet access providers that provide fiber optic connections with balanced upload/download, with which it is possible to have an upstream bandwidth of several tens or hundreds of Mb/s, but there are still only few people who have this privilege because the monthly costs are too high for most others.

High-End-Equipment is needed for streaming events

On the other hand, even if you have the adequate bandwidth for the simultaneous broadcast of all the channels you want locally, the computer where you are going to manage the live streaming platform must be a high-end equipment, with an excellent processor (e.g. Intel i7), lots of RAM (16GB at least), a fast hard drive (preferably SSD), two full HD screens, one or more full HD webcams in audio and video connected preferably by cable, cable connection to the Internet (Wi-Fi is not recommended), among other details.When we refer to the Live Streaming Platform, we mean the equipment where the software that will be responsible for managing the scenes with the various sources of content in real time will be switched between them to create a professional transmission.Among the possible sources to manage are:

• Webcams connected to the equipment
• Video streaming sources with remote cameras of other participants (e.g. Skype call or shared camera received by the video conference room).
• Recorded videos located within the same computer.
• .PNG images to be placed as masks for logos and/or background scenarios
• Web browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Edge) for sharing web page navigation
• Application windows to share content such as PDF presentations or Mind Maps
• Texts that will act as subtitles or as information elements (e.g. @user)
• Combining multiple sources for live event streaming

Each scene to be switched can consist of one or multiple sources combined as overlapping layers and/or distributed in a scene-specific screen layout. Another detail is the handling of the transitions between scenes that can have various effects such as fade, motion, sweep, etc.The reason why two screens are required is because one is used to view the actual broadcast and the other to manage the Live Streaming Platform. Additionally, our team must be able to record the broadcast and then be able to share the videos of the events through various platforms.However, due to bandwidth and/or equipment limitations, it is common to simulcast on multiple channels by broadcasting a single channel to an Internet streaming service provider and from there broadcasting to multiple channels. There are multiple Internet streaming service providers, with various benefits and associated costs. Some even provide free trial periods, however, premium channels such as Instagram and Facebook Pages are not.

Additional resources

Another important aspect to take into account when streaming events is the content to be used in the broadcast, for which we recommend creating:

• A Powerpoint presentation or something equivalent - converted to PDF
• A Mental Map
• Images to be used to promote the event and for the initial cover of the event.

At the same time, we must take into account the environment in which the webcams of the participants will be used, which must be well illuminated, without background noise, with good quality cameras and an excellent Internet connection.

Gifts for the guests

Another general practice is to give gifts to the users who connected to watch the Live Event, such as giving them the presentations or mind maps in PDF format, or giving them access to the recordings of the events. The best way to do this is to create a landing page where we can obtain their data in exchange for the gifts. We will then use it to share valuable content (nutrition), thus building the curve of trust that allows us to convert them from prospects to real customers (Conversion Funnel). For this, we must connect the landing pages with a Marketing Automation platform.On the other hand, by using an online video conference room (e.g. by expertshare), as a means of transmission, in which users can enter to watch the event, it can also serve as a source for the camera and the presenter's audio to the broadcast management console and as a second recording method as a backup to the main recording.

What does expertshare's live streaming platform have to offer?

Virtual & Hybrid EventsHost events completely virtually or in hybrid format for even more reach. In both cases, you can use the full functionality of our live streaming event platform.Main StageThe main stage is the heart of the event platform. Here, spectators can follow the event, interact and be involved in the action.Virtual Breakout RoomsVirtual breakout rooms are the perfect retreat for small groups to exchange ideas, network or work together.Virtual Networking & MatchmakingThe event platform offers chats, breakout rooms and individual groups for up to 4 participants. Matchmaking recommends the best people to talk to.Reception hallIn the virtual reception hall you present the agenda, instructions for the event, information about the speakers and, if desired, the logos of your sponsors.Event AnalyticsThe analytics dashboard and reporting provides insights into important metrics such as engagement or attendee rates and helps you optimize your events.High-End-EquipmentWe are using computers that fulfill all of the mentioned requirements and more. So instead of you having to buy all of it, you simply hire us to do it all for you and all the needed hardware is already included in the job. That includes the audio equipment like loudspeakers and microphones etc. as well.Professional TeamWhat good is great equipment if you don’t have the right people to handle it? Of course, once we are the ones organizing your event, you will get all of our manpower as well. That means e.g. a professional camera team, audio engineers and cutters for post editing the event recordings.Custom brandingThe expertshare platform allows you to integrate your custom branding to create a cohesive look and feel that blends seamlessly with your businesses’ online presence. Easily alter colors, fonts, logos and change the layout to suit your brand identity.

Conclusion

After the event has been broadcast, it is important to edit the automatically saved videos for the various networks, so that we can eliminate the initial minutes used to verify that the broadcast was OK and to greet the users who logged in at the beginning, and thus not annoy those watching the recorded broadcast who want to see the content of value at once by logging in.As you can see, the broadcasting of live events on social networks simultaneously is almost an art and a science, so if you, your company or institution require these events, we invite you to contact us and we will gladly assist you. Get access to the professional live streaming platform you deserve.

What is event streaming? The use of new technologies and social networks has turned a live broadcast into a streaming event. In general terms, event streaming is a service of real-time re-transmission of an event through new platforms. It could be understood as follows: Instead of saying that a marketing seminar is live, it would be a streamed event with no live audience in the studio.It is also valid for other events. In fact, streaming for events is the origin of this term, as it started as a way to reach a wider audience. There are a multitude of platforms and streaming providers to enable an event to be broadcast in real time so that more people, beyond those present, can enjoy it. The remarkable thing about streaming events is that it is no longer just a form of communication for companies or one-off events. More and more television channels and media outlets are also using this system to reach a wider audience. It is perfect, not only for this, but also to publicize certain products and for business or corporate meetings, one of the most popular modalities in this type of communication.

Why should you stream your event?

An event does not have to be exclusively in streaming, but every event organizer should at least keep this service in mind when planning their event. The live broadcasting of the event achieves several objectives that will enhance the corporate image of your brand or organization. Generates more diffusion. As we have said, organizing an event that can be seen 400 kilometers away from the place as if you were present in the room, is a luxury. Therein lies the importance of streaming events. It allows you to be in hundreds of places at the same time and your event to go beyond the walls of the venue and geographical boundaries. Not only those physically present will be able to feel identified with your brand; also those who, from their electronic devices, can watch the conference, the launch or feel that they are part of the event in some way. Facilitates meetings. Corporate meetings no longer require everyone to be physically present at the meeting point. Streaming these events is the order of the day, since it allows companies to hold meetings with the ease of being at any time no matter where the protagonists are. It represents anew source of revenue. In addition to the advertisers and sponsors of the event that will allow it to take place physically, by betting on streaming events, you will also be generating revenue from another perspective. The Internet world is very wide and online advertising will be one of the factors to take into account. It allows you to get to know your audience better. Each company has defined its target audience through different business models, and this is one of the ways to do it. After the end of the streaming event, you can analyze the statistics of the people who have entered the broadcast. In this way, social groups can be differentiated by geography, age or gender and the brand can know which can be an important point for its next moves.It increases trust in the brand. Young people are looking for renewal, and what better way to renew themselves than by joining the streaming revolution? It will not only be a way to reach them, the employees themselves will see that the company is regenerating itself and looking for a new approach, so they will trust it even more.

What is an event streaming platform?

We recently wrote a post about what the advantages of a virtual event platform are. And we talked about streaming, live streaming and webinars. Well today, in accordance with the previous topic, we are going to know which are the most successful streaming and webinar platforms to create an online event.

Live Event Streaming and Event streaming platforms

Youtube Live

There is no doubt that Youtube is the king of videos on the Internet, the platform with the largest number of users. It allows you to broadcast live, reach the audience in real time and schedule and publicize the event as well as notify all your subscribers of the start of the event.Another advantage is that it is easy to broadcast, as you only need to copy the streaming URL and share the event with as many users as you want.

Facebook Live

Facebook has recently joined the streaming era and has created its own Live platform. Despite its limited experience in the streaming world, it offers many advantages: it allows live streaming, creating live polls and generating reactions and comments in real time.In addition, once the transmission is finished, the video can be recorded and posted on the fan page wall.

Vimeo

With Vimeo, we are talking about a more professional platform, and therefore, a paid one. It offers the possibility of sharing in streaming and storing videos for users to comment and interact. The event must be registered to upload videos, create their own profile and leave comments.

Webinar Platforms

Zoom

The boom of this platform has been generated during all these months of pandemic, multiplying its users. Its two main features are the audio and high-definition video it offers. It allows sharing views of the screen as well as splitting it in two to visualize the shared content and the webinar organizers at the same time. Its’ only drawback is that its free version only allows sessions of up to 40 minutes uninterrupted.

GotoWebinar

It is one of the most popular webinar hosting tools, easier to use and better adapted to mobile devices.Its main advantages are:

• Giving keyboard and mouse control to any of the webinar participants.
• Schedule events and notify attendees anywhere in the world.
• Offer a large volume of participation (up to 1000 users).
• Allows live polls and surveys.

Google Meet

This is Google's platform.With this tool you can make unlimited high quality video calls with 250 users and it possibly has the best audio/video quality.These are the 6 platforms that currently occupy the top ranking positions for organizing live streaming and webinars. However, there are others such as Instagram live, webex or any meeting. If you want to stream a big and professional event to thousands of people, you should make use of a great event streaming platform like expertshare.

Six advantages of betting on streaming for your live event

In a society where the possibilities of choosing what to spend our time on are almost infinite, accessibility is more important than ever. Therefore, in this hyper-connected world, live broadcasts can become the perfect ally to improve your communication with your target audience. Here's why.

Geographical and time barriers disappear

The great advantage of streaming your event is that, once finished, it can be uploaded to the network so that anyone can consume it whenever they want. In addition, it can be seen by everyone regardless of where they are in the world.

Increases dissemination

By rebroadcasting the event in streaming and thanks to social networks, it will be possible to generate more noise and significantly increase the audience of the event. And, practically at the same cost, anyone with Internet access can be part of the event.

Saves costs and generates new revenue

If the corporate event is internal, it will allow the company to save costs by avoiding unnecessary travel. And if the event is open to the public, people who wish to attend can do so from home, free of charge, making the organization of the event less costly for the company. Likewise, live broadcasting opens up a world of new possibilities for monetizing the event thanks to the possibility of incorporating advertising banners or assigning the rights to other websites in the sector that are interested in broadcasting it.

Greater knowledge of the audience

The Internet will allow us to access a large mass of spectator data which, once analyzed, will become really valuable information (number of users, location, moments of maximum audience, etc.) for decision making.

Direct and personalized communication

Social networks offer you the possibility of interacting with the public during the transmission of the event in a direct and simple way, moving from the classic one-way transmissions to others that are much more dynamic, interactive and bidirectional.

Engagement with the audience

By making the event available to everyone (or, at least, to the segment of the audience we consider), we will also be demonstrating to the public our interest and commitment to keep them informed of the company's news, involving them in our actions at no cost and allowing them to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own home. In short: being creative and knowing how to use the tools we have today, we can increase the credibility of the brand, build audience loyalty, increase the number of visits to the company's web site, and increase the number of visitors to the site.

The technology for live event streaming

The underlying technology behind streaming works by means of a data buffer that stores a download stream on the client computer. This data is then displayed to the user while the download of subsequent data continues in the background. The main difference with file downloading is that the user does not need to download complete files for viewing.

How is quality streaming achieved?

Optimal live streaming requires a connection with a bandwidth similar to that of the streaming rate. The full development of this technology was not possible until the advent of broadband.

Types of transmissions

Deferred: When the content is previously recorded, such as a video-on-demand service like Netflix or HBO.Live: Real-time transmission in which case it requires a computer that acts as a source of video and audio recording, a content encoder, an editor and a network for content distribution. Live streaming has latency (delay) since the information will arrive with a delay equivalent to the buffer necessary for its viewing.

Streaming components

• Codecs: Codecs are file compression algorithms. Their name derives from the word coding. The most widely used codec today is H.264.
• Bitstream: Broadcasts are assembled in a container (a file), the most common are FLV, WebM and AVI.
• Transport: Information is distributed from a streaming server to a client using a transport protocol, such as MMS or RTP.
• Control: The streaming client computer can interact with the relay server using a control protocol, such as MMS or RTSP.

Conclusion: Why you need live event streaming

If someone, for whatever reason, cannot attend your event in person, you can still offer these prospects the chance to get access to all of the content. Nowadays, we have the technology to see and participate even in events that take place on the other side of the world (and without leaving our homes) thanks to streaming for events or, what is the same thing with just a different name: Live broadcasts.Streaming has become the most practical solution to increase the impact and diffusion of corporate events and, at the same time, project an innovative image of the company. Moreover, it is relatively simple and inexpensive to carry out thanks to the platforms and social networks that increasingly allow us to broadcast live. So if you plan your next event, don’t forget to think about live event streaming in advance.Contact us if you need an experienced team to produce your whole live event as a stream.

Virtual Event Ideas for Companies are desperately needed. Face-to-face engagement will always be valuable in our culture and society. But there are cases where going virtual is a crucial aspect of your event strategy.But how do you transform a multi-day conference into a virtual social event, with networking opportunities, instructional sessions and the knowledge gained from attendees?A virtual social event demands the same level of attention and care as a physical one. Both events need you to successfully promote the event, engage your attendees, create beautiful and memorable moments for them, and demonstrate the success of the event.Location and on-site attendance are the only things missing. However, you can create an engaging event that extends far beyond a computer screen if you conceive of virtual social events as participation-driven, value-added experiences rather than just one-off presentations or webinars.We want to give you 5 virtual event ideas for companies that can easily be put into action.Let’s get started.

How to organize a virtual social event for companies

1. Virtual conferences

The benefits they bring to organizations have allowed them to become very effective, fast and innovative ways of communication. Whether in the form of online videoconferencing, webinars or web conferences, they have the great advantage of connecting with several people at the same time no matter where they are.Their applications are infinite, as well as very useful, giving the possibility of: carrying out meetings between the different headquarters of a company, establishing an immediate videoconferencing system with its workers from anywhere in the world, and even promoting the services of a company without the need to use several physical spaces, but a single virtual meeting room.VR conferences make it possible to make important decisions quickly and efficiently. This type of meeting can immediately bring together several people involved in a project, offering them the possibility of eliminating scheduling problems, travel or time constraints.

2. Remote team meetings

Telecommuting is gaining more and more ground, and whether full-time or part-time, it is a formula that is becoming more and more widespread. Remote employees are bringing about a real change in mentality with respect to the old perception we had when it came to performing our professional tasks.This paradigm shift has completely changed the interaction between the company and the employees, between whom there must be an effective digital relationship. It is therefore essential to have tools that help to optimize remote communication, increase productivity and reduce costs.The goal is to create common virtual spaces where employees and managers of the organization meet, and for this, the contribution of virtual worlds is the key. Great virtual event ideas for companies are essentiell for the success of an event.

3. Virtual classrooms

Digital transformation has also revolutionized the way knowledge is acquired, and this has a major impact on companies. Business training is one of the fields that is undergoing the most changes, and virtual learning is currently taking on a major role in Human Resources departments.For this reason, online training is currently the most widely used educational model in the corporate sector, regardless of the type of business or market niche where the company is located. The advantages offered by this system, such as time and cost savings, flexibility and accessibility, among others, make it an essential tool for employee learning.In this sense, the use of virtual classrooms in business is especially important, tools that allow the creation of immersive and very real experiences for the training of their employees. They are like a virtual campus, but adapted to the learning of the companies' staff, offering their professionals more resources and fewer limitations than traditional methods.

4. Team Building

Teamwork is one of the most valued competencies of a professional in his or her activity within the company, since performing tasks together greatly improves the performance of employees and, as a consequence, that of the company. For this reason, more and more organizations are opting to include in their business policies actions designed exclusively for their employees.In the beginning, they were only face-to-face activities, but nowadays Virtual Reality has made possible the irruption of online Team Building, virtual events that allow employees to live unique experiences remotely, participate in virtual games or interactive chats in which they can share ideas and experiences.Among the options that we can currently find in the market, one of the ones that is having the greatest impact on Team Building activities for companies are the Virtual Escape Rooms, games in which employees can participate from any device. It is only necessary to have a connection on their cell phone, tablet or computer.

5. Virtual Speed Networking

The power of networking as a business communication tool is unquestionable. It has been so for years, and will continue to be so to an increasing extent, since it allows to make the company known, create contacts and access new potential customers.

1. Webinars

These events typically last between 45 and 80 minutes. Webinars allow participants from around the world to listen virtually and join one or more presenters to deliver the topic. Companies can host free webinars or charge guests to join, using online payment systems. They often employ video conferencing capabilities that allow for Q&A, the option to show live or pre-recorded video, and the opportunity to make the event available after the event as on-demand.The type of event has been successful with 100 percent virtual attendance due to its unique instructional nature. Internal and external training are examples of this.

2. Hybrid internal events

Town hall meetings, sales kickoffs, company-wide events, training, divisional meetings and other events fall into this category. In addition, internal hybrid meetings are used to communicate a company-wide message when not all personnel are gathered in the same area for companies that span nations, even continents. While it would be ideal to bring all employees to your company headquarters, it would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming to schedule.

3. External hybrid events

These meetings are for those who are not affiliated with your company. User conferences and industry conferences are also possibilities. These events require a higher degree of video production to ensure that virtual guests receive the same level of service as in-person attendees. Attendees who are unable to attend the event can still participate and learn at these activities. It is a challenge to provide the same experience at external hybrid events, as in-person attendees can network more effectively and interact with information more efficiently than virtual attendees.

4. Virtual Conferencing

Virtual conferences, like in-person conferences, are organized around a complicated, live agenda that contains keynotes, sessions, breakout sessions and more. In addition, virtual social events can include information from many sessions, as well as community engagement features. While virtual social events are not as effective as in-person events in lead generation and networking, they allow participants to view keynotes in real time, create their schedule from relevant on-demand information and interact with other participants.Now, how do you turn a traditional event into an online experience by hosting a virtual event? Continue reading for more virtual event ideas for companies.The Coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly force you to adjust the way you conduct yourself in your work and personal life, but it will also provide you with a reason to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. While transitioning from a physical to a digital event has its problems, if you stay organized and make sure your participants are prepared, you stand a good chance of having a successful outcome.

Staying organized

Step 1. Make a schedule

Because virtual social events don't allow everyone to be in the same room simultaneously, management is key to staying on track. Participants can be on the same virtual page by creating a schedule for the day, week or however long your event lasts. A schedule for the day helps set expectations and ensures that presentations and performances are on time. Remember to incorporate natural breaks throughout the day when planning a virtual social event schedule, just as you would when organizing an in-person event.

Step 2. Send a notification outlining the event guidelines.

While live-streaming an event from home may seem less formal than meeting in a public place, there are still rules of digital etiquette and decorum to follow. Make sure everyone knows how to mute their microphones and take turns speaking, especially if your event contains numerous speakers or interactions. This will prevent the speech from overlapping or becoming incoherent. A brief email clarifying these principles should be sufficient to eliminate unwanted interruptions or misunderstandings.

Step 3. Verify that all participants have the necessary hardware, software and meeting links.

Verifying that each participant has the right equipment and understands how to access the meeting is an important consideration when preparing for a virtual social event. Attendees will almost certainly need specific equipment or peripherals to stream in real time with a good connection. If they don't, they may be completely shut out of the event.Reliable conferencing equipment, good hardware and software components, plus a secure Internet connection are required. Is it possible for attendees to join the meeting using their web browsers, or do they need to install a particular program or programs before the session begins? Let them know early and tell them what to do. Make sure all meeting URLs, passwords, and procedures for connecting to the meeting are sent out in advance.

Step 4. Set up the attendees' virtual social event.

There will always be user error when it comes to technology. Virtual social events are not all the same. There are many video conferencing tools as well as event technology alternatives available. Don't take the digital literacy (or lack thereof) of your attendees for granted. It's ideal to produce a guide for attendees prior to the event that explains how to get to the event, the sessions and more.Allow guests to try to initiate sessions or send messages prior to the start of the event. This will reduce guest stress, reduce the flood of inquiries on the first day of the event and create a better overall event experience. This handbook does not need to be outdated. Will there be a host for your event? Consider asking them to make an introductory video that both teaches them and is humorous.

Step 5. Make use of eye-catching graphics

Visuals have as much impact on virtual social events as the vocal parts. It is crucial to add visuals that complement rather than detract from your presentation or meeting. Along with the verbal message, consider using relevant charts or graphs, maps, info graphics or even video clips. Visuals should keep your audience interested and listening, so if your graphics are interactive, that's even better.Remember that some of your participants will be visual learners who like to learn through pictures, images and colors, while others will prefer to learn through audio. However, collaborative communication benefits everyone by opening up new ideas and clarifying complex techniques, so if possible, ask for audience participation and involvement.

Conclusion

Instead of canceling your events, turn them into engaging digital experiences. The opportunity for knowledge sharing and face-to-face interaction still exists; it just looks a little different right now. You can practically host any event!From trade shows and leadership conferences to weddings and other key milestones. With the right technology and a reinvented strategy. So for a fantastic digital experience, stay organized, set ground rules and keep your visuals. You now received lots of virtual event ideas for companies. We hope your next virtual social event will be a success.

The last few months have forced us to make a myriad of last minute decisions, among them many companies have needed to cancel upcoming events or move them to virtual platforms. Although this may sound very complicated, once you get to know the details about how to host a virtual conference, it will be less difficult.

It is true that each event is different, some have few attendees, they can be internal or external events but with a local scope only. There are events that consist of simple conferences while others are even days long and feature exhibits, workshops and interactive activities. Some serve simply to keep teams together over distance or continue training, while others serve to create business opportunities. Either way, there are similar aspects to planning any event.

How to organize a virtual conference in a short time

It may seem very complicated to host a virtual conference with little preparation time but if you can do a face-to-face event then you can certainly hold a virtual one. Here are some of the basic points that will serve as a guide to start planning your event.

Define the purpose

You must be clear about what you want to achieve with your conferences:

Internal event: Bring work teams together, motivate or reward them.

Open to the public event: Attract potential clients, network or increase brand recognition. Any objective you have is valid as long as you are clear about it and know how the conference will help you achieve it.

Determine the reach

With a virtual event you can extend the reach of your event to people all over the world, so depending on the purpose it is important that you define the characteristics of the audience you want to reach, from their profile to their location.

Define goals

Having defined goals is necessary for you to measure the success of the event. We will now go deeper into the definition of goals and their measurement. With the above points in mind also define if it will be an open and free event or if it will have a cost, this way you can also set goals in terms of the number of attendees or leads needed to get a positive ROI.

Choose the platform and the team

At this stage you should also choose the platform from which you will broadcast the event. Although they are very similar to each other, some have different characteristics that can help you decide.

Another aspect of utmost importance is the equipment you will use, if you already have audio and video equipment, you plan to purchase a new one, renew it or hire a company to provide it.

Create a smooth and efficient structure

As with face-to-face meetings, online conferences require clearly defined guidelines and a script, with a delimited structure that responds to the needs of the company and the attendees. Therefore, it is essential to create the event based on a series of presentations, seminars, activities and, of course, with a space dedicated to answering questions and doubts.

In this sense, it is interesting to have virtual characters (avatars). They are able to mimic the physical appearance of the web conference speakers, hold conversations and speak through voice over IP in a natural way. They can even express their emotions through animations (such as applause or greetings). How to host a virtual conference - this is a question that can easily be answered after you have read the full article so please read on.

Choose the place and date of the event

Although a virtual event can be held from your office and the office of each of the speakers, having a place that resembles or exceeds the face-to-face experience can add great value to the virtual experience.

This place would be only for the recordings or live transmissions with the host, speaker and staff. A good idea to save time with this point may be to hire the services of an audiovisual production company, which in addition to having the equipment can have a studio that suits your needs.

Create the content plan

The main element to attract attendees to a virtual event is the content, so you should focus with special attention on this issue. The content will be in charge of attracting interested people, generating registrations, promoting engagement and creating networking opportunities.

As tempting as it may be to include a variety of topics, you should focus on quality over quantity. Once the topic has been defined, start looking for the speakers who will be in charge of bringing it to the audience, make sure that in addition to being experts or recognized personalities, they also give their talks in a dynamic and interactive way and adapt to the virtual format effectively.

It is also extremely important to choose a host that is dynamic, that captures people's attention and keeps them interested. In addition to being someone who can handle unforeseen events that may arise, from technical failures to inappropriate behavior within the event.

Designing on-demand content

One of the elements of success of online conferences is that their content is available. This possibility further enriches the experience and increases interest in participating. For this reason, it is important to provide attendees with a wide variety of opportunities to learn about the products and services on display through photos and videos, demos, e-books and all kinds of digital material that they can download and consult at any time.

Consider entertainment options

While the content is the main part of the event, including interactive or entertainment sessions, especially if it is a long event, is a plus that attendees will undoubtedly enjoy.

A musical, magic or comedy show can be a perfect closing.

Create a budget

Even though virtual events require a smaller investment, it is important that you are clear about the categories and amounts of each expense. This will mainly reflect the platforms and equipment for the transmission, the place where the event will take place and the speakers in case you are going to hire them.

Plan and get sponsorships

The fact that it is a virtual event does not mean that there is no place for sponsors. Especially if you are planning a large event this can be a benefit for sponsors. Plan how you can give them exposure within your event, get creative and put together some proposals to send to sponsors.

Promote the event

Start by creating a landing page with the event information, it is also advisable to include it on the homepage of your site and on social networks to give it more visibility. This also includes preparing the registration and ticket purchase platform in case your event needs these features.

Depending on the scope of the event, elaborate the appropriate promotion plan. In this article you can find some ideas to promote your event. If it is an internal event it may be enough to send electronic invitations to employees with all the details of the event.

Prepare attendees for the virtual experience

If registration is required, send all event details along with the confirmation. Also remember to follow up to explain how the event will take place, what the platform is, if it requires installation, how to enter the sessions, etc. Also offer assistance in case attendees have questions or technical problems.

Carry out tests before the event

How to host a virtual conference? It is not superfluous to tell you that even if you are short of time, it is necessary to test the equipment and platforms in advance in case adjustments are needed. Successfully carrying out the event preparation is not a guarantee that the development will be perfect, however, it greatly improves its possibilities. Do not forget to prepare for unforeseen events that may arise, have protocols, backup plans and a support team that can help you quickly and effectively.

The most important thing is that the event can offer a memorable experience for all its members and meet your objectives.

Define a follow-up strategy

After the event, it is essential to follow up with potential customers who have attended. To ensure conversions, an email can be sent to prospects, asking for their impressions of the meeting, or inviting them to participate in a survey. These measures will not only help to acquire and retain customers, but will also be key to identifying which aspects of their participation were effective and which were not, in order to improve future actions. When you host a virtual conference, there are lots of things that you have to think about.

Share content and create connections

Online conferences are recorded, so they become sources of information that can be exchanged very easily. In this sense, it is important to have a good database to share content, so that the dissemination of the event will grow exponentially, and even more if we take advantage of the great power of social networks.

The advantages and possibilities of a virtual conference make it the ultimate tool for business communication, at any time and in any scenario. But it is now when its value is at its peak, as we live in an uncertain present where face-to-face events cannot be held and companies must focus their efforts on continuing to offer their services more remotely than ever. You can use all of these tips if you don’t know how to host a virtual conference.

How to make virtual meetings more interactive? Improving the engagement of your virtual event audience will take your virtual events to the next level. It's vitally important to have engaging events, because it's very easy for your audience to get distracted while attending your online events.

You probably know it yourself: How often do you attend a webinar and then you end up doing something else while it’s running? In order to avoid this with your own audience, we want to give you some tips on what you can do to make your virtual event more engaging and interactive. Let’s get started right away.

1. Make the content compelling

Compelling content is the first step towards engagement. It adds to the attendee experience and makes them a willingly captive audience. Build it up. Go for pre-event content to amp up excitement for the upcoming meeting/event, and during the event, deck up short sessions to keep them interested, mix speeches with jokes, slides, add visual content.

Introduce engagement - break long sessions with a quick Q&A break. And once the event is over, keep in touch with a recap, or highlights. This will make everyone feel included, involved, and valued.

2. High quality content is key

Keep the production value right at the top. Most of it is just a creative use of the computer and doesn’t cost much, but it will add to the overall snazziness. An interesting meeting room layout, smartly designed presentation of products, walk-thru footage of your company, videos to add to the variety – include all this.

But ensure the quality of each of this is really high. Follow the best video-making practices, mark meeting rooms with branded backdrops, a great sound system and internet. Get the camera angles and lighting on the speakers to the point, spend some time over the graphics. All this goes a long way in capturing attendees’ attention, and keeping it with you throughout!

3. Don’t make the sessions too long

Just because you had day-long in-person conferences doesn’t mean you do the same virtually. It’s a different ball game altogether online, where Netflix is just a click away. Anyone watching a long session alone sitting in a room, even if it’s packaged well with music, inspiring keynotes, et al, will find it difficult to concentrate for long.

What other things can you do to make a virtual event interactive and engaging?

You can make a virtual event engaging by constantly providing your audience with things to do. To keep your audience engaged, you need to do something unique and surprising. Provide interactive elements to make your audience feel incredibly engaged in your virtual event.

During events and conferences, in addition to the judicious choice of themes and angles, speakers, preparation to have high quality content in line with the expectations of the audience - one of the key issues of an editorial board is to involve and engage the participants. In order to have this strong involvement, the objective is to implement different actions over time:

• before the event (communication, program, teasing, publishing and sharing content and interview texts and videos, conducting polls, voting...)
• during the event (by different means, to create interactions, debates and exchanges...)
• and after the event (continue the exchanges, share content, broadcast video conferences and interviews, publish bonuses, collect opinions...).

Reinforce the proximity with your audience

If we focus on the moment of a conference, one of the key factors of this involvement for the speaker(s) and organizer(s) to capture the attention of the audience is to engage them as much as possible. To do so, it is important to create an exchange with the audience and the speakers, to make them active, to reinforce the proximity with them, to highlight them and to stick to their expectations. It is also important to disseminate and encourage the relaying of conference content on social networks, thus allowing interaction with a wider audience.

Interactions during the presentations are key and reinforce the link and the proximity, they allow to have richer and more adapted exchanges. How do you use digital solutions to energize your conferences - as a presenter or speaker - and engage your audience?

A conference is successful if, beyond the content of course, it captures and holds the attention of the audience from start to finish. It is important during a conference to create a close contact, emotion, a real exchange and rich interactions. This facilitates the transmission and memorization of key messages.

Elements to make virtual meetings more interactive

For this, some elements to make virtual meetings more interactive work very well during conferences to encourage interactions and engage the audience:

• Facilitate and simplify interactions between the audience in attendance and the speaker(s) and moderator: allow for questions, comments, live polling or voting, keyword queries to identify a trend.... Ideally via the participants' smartphones, whether by SMS, via a dedicated application or social networks or directly via a website.
• Facilitate interactions with a wider audience on social networks. They allow us to inform, inspire, engage and enhance the audience.
• project on screen these interaction elements during the conference by moderating (or not) questions and comments (live tweets, questions asked, collaborative word clouds, results of polls and votes in real time...), this allows to share with everyone live, to highlight contributions, to incite to react, to motivate influencers and contributors and to increase their engagement...
• broadcast the live conference on social networks. work with influencers to relay and boost these interactions

These elements are simple to use, very visual, transparent. They stimulate, make people active, allow them to express themselves and everyone to find the means of expression that suits them. How to make virtual meetings more interactive should be a question that can be answered now. But we still have more...

Which activities guarantee the best engagement?

Not all people who are interested in an event are quite active. The interaction with the audience is varied and real-time and it’s best when it is dynamic, with energy and when everyone is encouraged to think and contribute in their own way.

Therefore, it is important to share with the audience the elements of interaction in a visual way, it's always more explicit and engaging. For example, conducting live polls and votes with the audience during conferences, asking the audience to qualify key elements via words and visually sharing the results is a real element of engagement

This allows everyone to think, to be active and involved, to exchange around the theme, with the speaker and with everyone else... Moreover, allowing people to react and ask questions live, to share them on a screen with the audience is very rich and allows rebounds and interactions, and also facilitates meetings after the conference, either during the event or a little later.

Beneficial tools for the digital transformation of companies?

Our uses have evolved considerably, and interactive digital tools are now fully integrated into our habits and daily lives. This is a very good thing because they make our daily lives easier, simpler, more fluid and free up time…

The use of these tools in the digital transformation of companies is a vast subject. These digital tools are the means to serve this transformation. They contribute to and strongly help to bring employees on board, to accompany them in their transformation and are the necessary allies of the transformation of companies. I will illustrate this with two key examples: firstly, their contribution to the transformation of working methods and operations, and secondly, their contribution to training.

Interactive digital tools (especially collaborative ones) are part of the essential elements of the digital transformation of companies in terms of functioning and working methods. These tools help to be much more agile and to simplify exchanges. They enable transversality, fluidity, real-time sharing of information and documents, facilitate collaboration and work on the same projects, management of the different actions and contributions of each person and sharing of the vision of projects, products, resources.... They encourage creativity, ideation and collective intelligence, and simplify working remotely or in different locations. Do you now understand how to make virtual meetings more interactive?

Accelerate digital training

Interactive digital tools are at the heart of the digital transformation of companies in terms of culture, training and support. They enable rapid deployment of training, with new ways of learning and highly effective pedagogy, offering more individualized training paths, and choosing a personalized form of learning adapted to each person's pace: virtual classes, distance learning, training that combines traditional face-to-face and online learning methods, situational simulations, online tests, exchanges with teachers, etc.

These tools provide employees with new capabilities for acquiring skills and continuous training, and make access to training much easier. They allow for easy validation of the appropriation of training content. These tools also enable gamification (challenges, rankings, rewards, etc.), which increases commitment and provides a real fun experience. In addition, on these 2 aspects, methods and training, they allow to save time, efficiency and productivity.

Conclusion - How to make virtual meetings more interactive:

When it comes to virtual meetings or events like webinars and conferences, thinking outside the box is the only solution to keep all the participants hooked from the beginning till the end. In fact, an online meeting doesn’t have to be any less than a face-to-face one when it comes to engagement – that is, if you manage to creatively occupy the attention span of the participants throughout.

A recent survey found that 49% of marketers say that audience engagement is the biggest contributing factor to having a successful virtual event and 87% of marketers consider the opportunities generated by virtual events as a success factor. Now that you know how to make virtual meetings more interactive, keeping them inspired, focused, and participating is the only way to ensure that they don’t zone out mentally halfway!

Networking has a wide range of advantages that are important to consider. On the one hand, it is an extraordinary opportunity to give greater visibility to a particular brand or company. On the other hand, it allows companies to study the competition in a detailed and specific way.In addition, it improves communication and professional skills. In this type of conference, companies have the opportunity to participate in very dynamic debates and talks on topics of interest to them. They have the opportunity to both learn and contribute knowledge.And, finally, these types of events are excellent for meeting new suppliers or other companies with which to collaborate. All with the clear objective of improving the customer experience and increasing the profitability of the business.These are some of the main points you need to know about how to organize a virtual networking event. Events where great business opportunities are created. Beyond formal events, a simple talk or any opportunity in which a company foresees that professionals interested in it will attend is also valid. It is about exchanging knowledge, experiences and opinions about a specific topic.

Why virtual networking works

How to host a virtual networking event - the answer lies in finding creative ways to replicate the conversations that occur during a face-to-face networking session. This will be critical for attendees to get value out of this opportunity and the main event in general. Virtual networking works, it's just a matter of creating the right dynamic and environment for your guestsNetworking allows you to create a network of contacts with people who share interests related to your business. At these events, you can meet business people and entrepreneurs who can help you generate business opportunities.However, organizing an event of this type is not so simple, especially with the social distancing measures, in which the meetings are done electronically. But just because you can't meet in person doesn't mean you can't build business relationships.Read also: 5 Creative Virtual Event Ideas for Companies

How to run a virtual networking session

Here are some general tips to get you started in planning your virtual networking session:

• Ensure the technical quality to offer a seamless experience, similar to that of a face-to-face event.
• Choose the platform that best suits your needs. A networking session can work on virtually any platform if the planning is adequate, although you can certainly benefit from more sophisticated platforms.
• Send the invitation to the participants with clear instructions on how to access the platform, the link and the password. Do not forget to mention if it is necessary to install any software or application and offer assistance.
• Limit the number of participants, some people recommend no more than eight so that everyone has a chance to participate. A virtual networking session can be chaotic, so you can create several breakout rooms with smaller capacity and let participants choose and change rooms.

In addition to creating general networking rooms, keep in mind that different people may feel more comfortable in different networking environments. Depending on the profiles of your attendees, you can create rooms with different themes or dynamics. This is where your creativity comes in to create satisfying networking environments and experiences for participants.Try to enter a few minutes before the session so that, as in a face-to-face event, you can welcome those who are joining. It is also an opportunity to clarify doubts, get to know their expectations and generate conversation and trust.Making a round of brief introductions and even including some general questions is a way for participants to get to know each other and start the conversation. People value the ability to share their personal information as easily as they share their business cards. Offering this type of solution within the virtual environment will be a great benefit.Here are the main points you need to consider when hosting a virtual event:

1. Invitation

It is important to ensure that the participants can interact and that they are at ease. One advantage of a virtual event is the possibility of gathering people from different parts of the world in the same place and at the same time, even if they are far away. The duration of the session should not exceed 90 minutes, because it can become boring.We also advise you to keep the meetings with small groups. These events should flow smoothly, without rushing or interruptions, so a maximum of 10 people is a manageable number. When setting the meeting time, consider the different time zones of the participants.

2. Technology

In addition to facilitating access to the video conference, you should also provide information on how to participate, in case there are people who are unfamiliar with the platform you have chosen.Ideally, use intuitive and popular applications so that you don't have to spend a lot of time explaining how to use video calling programs. If your guests are not very proficient with digital tools, you can create a short video tutorial explaining how to connect and the rules of virtual etiquette.

3. Preparation

Create a family atmosphere. If guests don't know each other, send an email introducing each person a few days beforehand, and share information from their professional networks, such as LinkedIn.It is crucial to send a welcome message along with the objectives of the meeting and a description of what is expected of each participant. For example, a drink for a virtual toast or perhaps tell a short anecdote they may have experienced in childhood or in the workplace. This is a good technique to break the ice and generate organic connections.

4. Focus

The focus is on the guests, not you. If the meeting is focused on you, the probability that your event will be a failure is very high. The focus should be on building trust and credibility, not selling products and services. Concentrate on what you can offer the participants, in terms of learning, fun and autonomy.The recommended duration for a virtual networking session is 60 to 90 minutes. This will allow enough time for people to get comfortable and build trust but will allow you to cut off before people get tired. If the conversation is flowing, it's good to have a plan in place to make it easy for participants to stay in touch or meet up later without losing the thread.

5. Chat

Enable the chat function so that participants can engage with each other. As host, this communication channel also allows you to prevent the most talkative person from taking over the event. Remember that everyone should participate equally.It may be necessary to interrupt a participant's speech to bring back interest and encourage everyone's expression. It is advisable to have some questions prepared in advance. Another strategy is to announce the duration of each activity or round of questions and answers. In this way, everyone will be aware of the length of participation.

6. Gratitude

After the meeting, send a personalized email to each person thanking them for their participation. By agreement with all participants, you can share everyone's contact information so they can identify opportunities and connect even after the session.To create a better impression as a host company, you can send some small gifts to the participants. Choose everyday objects that serve as souvenirs and are related to your company's activity.You can send pens or notebooks personalized with your brand. If you are in the restaurant business, you can give away advertising lighters, or perhaps a USB memory stick if your business is related to technology. Networking can be very efficient if you know how to take advantage of it. You just have to organize your event with the right intention and with the central objective of giving more than receiving.The fact that face-to-face meetings are limited today because of the pandemic does not mean that business relationships are on hold; circumstances have simply forced us to look for ways to initiate and maintain these relationships effectively in a virtual environment.

Networking sessions can offer great experiences

Just as corporate events, conferences and congresses have been successfully held online, it is possible to continue networking sessions over the Internet, especially as the platforms on which they are held continue to improve to offer experiences as good as those that can be had at a face-to-face event. And then it's not so difficult anymore to find out about how to host a virtual networking event.Networking sessions continue to be important for people who are used to attend events, as now more than ever they seek and value opportunities to meet people, engage in conversations with other professionals, make important contacts and generate business opportunities, therefore, if you are organizing a virtual event having networking sessions within the program will help you not only to do your own networking but to attract more attendees.In a face-to-face event, people can choose with whom to have a private conversation or not, either with a smaller group or 1 to 1. Offering the opportunity to do so without obstacles, either within the same platform or with specific recommendations is a plus that will be appreciated.Virtual events are not only spaces for learning, demonstrations and sales, they also make it possible for us to continue to build partnerships and business relationships. Providing this opportunity to your event attendees and making it an enjoyable and valuable experience will be of great value to your own organization's reputation and relationships.Remember to include the networking opportunities in the planning and dedicate as much time and effort to it as to the main sessions of the event. This is how to host a virtual networking event and be profitable with it.

Virtual Event Ideas for Companies are desperately needed. Face-to-face engagement will always be valuable in our culture and society. But there are cases where going virtual is a crucial aspect of your event strategy.But how do you transform a multi-day conference into a virtual social event, with networking opportunities, instructional sessions and the knowledge gained from attendees?A virtual social event demands the same level of attention and care as a physical one. Both events need you to successfully promote the event, engage your attendees, create beautiful and memorable moments for them, and demonstrate the success of the event.Location and on-site attendance are the only things missing. However, you can create an engaging event that extends far beyond a computer screen if you conceive of virtual social events as participation-driven, value-added experiences rather than just one-off presentations or webinars.We want to give you 5 virtual event ideas for companies that can easily be put into action.Let’s get started.

How to organize a virtual social event for companies

1. Virtual conferences

The benefits they bring to organizations have allowed them to become very effective, fast and innovative ways of communication. Whether in the form of online videoconferencing, webinars or web conferences, they have the great advantage of connecting with several people at the same time no matter where they are.Their applications are infinite, as well as very useful, giving the possibility of: carrying out meetings between the different headquarters of a company, establishing an immediate videoconferencing system with its workers from anywhere in the world, and even promoting the services of a company without the need to use several physical spaces, but a single virtual meeting room.VR conferences make it possible to make important decisions quickly and efficiently. This type of meeting can immediately bring together several people involved in a project, offering them the possibility of eliminating scheduling problems, travel or time constraints.

2. Remote team meetings

Telecommuting is gaining more and more ground, and whether full-time or part-time, it is a formula that is becoming more and more widespread. Remote employees are bringing about a real change in mentality with respect to the old perception we had when it came to performing our professional tasks.This paradigm shift has completely changed the interaction between the company and the employees, between whom there must be an effective digital relationship. It is therefore essential to have tools that help to optimize remote communication, increase productivity and reduce costs.The goal is to create common virtual spaces where employees and managers of the organization meet, and for this, the contribution of virtual worlds is the key. Great virtual event ideas for companies are essentiell for the success of an event.

3. Virtual classrooms

Digital transformation has also revolutionized the way knowledge is acquired, and this has a major impact on companies. Business training is one of the fields that is undergoing the most changes, and virtual learning is currently taking on a major role in Human Resources departments.For this reason, online training is currently the most widely used educational model in the corporate sector, regardless of the type of business or market niche where the company is located. The advantages offered by this system, such as time and cost savings, flexibility and accessibility, among others, make it an essential tool for employee learning.In this sense, the use of virtual classrooms in business is especially important, tools that allow the creation of immersive and very real experiences for the training of their employees. They are like a virtual campus, but adapted to the learning of the companies' staff, offering their professionals more resources and fewer limitations than traditional methods.

4. Team Building

Teamwork is one of the most valued competencies of a professional in his or her activity within the company, since performing tasks together greatly improves the performance of employees and, as a consequence, that of the company. For this reason, more and more organizations are opting to include in their business policies actions designed exclusively for their employees.In the beginning, they were only face-to-face activities, but nowadays Virtual Reality has made possible the irruption of online Team Building, virtual events that allow employees to live unique experiences remotely, participate in virtual games or interactive chats in which they can share ideas and experiences.Among the options that we can currently find in the market, one of the ones that is having the greatest impact on Team Building activities for companies are the Virtual Escape Rooms, games in which employees can participate from any device. It is only necessary to have a connection on their cell phone, tablet or computer.

5. Virtual Speed Networking

The power of networking as a business communication tool is unquestionable. It has been so for years, and will continue to be so to an increasing extent, since it allows to make the company known, create contacts and access new potential customers.

1. Webinars

These events typically last between 45 and 80 minutes. Webinars allow participants from around the world to listen virtually and join one or more presenters to deliver the topic. Companies can host free webinars or charge guests to join, using online payment systems. They often employ video conferencing capabilities that allow for Q&A, the option to show live or pre-recorded video, and the opportunity to make the event available after the event as on-demand.The type of event has been successful with 100 percent virtual attendance due to its unique instructional nature. Internal and external training are examples of this.

2. Hybrid internal events

Town hall meetings, sales kickoffs, company-wide events, training, divisional meetings and other events fall into this category. In addition, internal hybrid meetings are used to communicate a company-wide message when not all personnel are gathered in the same area for companies that span nations, even continents. While it would be ideal to bring all employees to your company headquarters, it would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming to schedule.

3. External hybrid events

These meetings are for those who are not affiliated with your company. User conferences and industry conferences are also possibilities. These events require a higher degree of video production to ensure that virtual guests receive the same level of service as in-person attendees. Attendees who are unable to attend the event can still participate and learn at these activities. It is a challenge to provide the same experience at external hybrid events, as in-person attendees can network more effectively and interact with information more efficiently than virtual attendees.

4. Virtual Conferencing

Virtual conferences, like in-person conferences, are organized around a complicated, live agenda that contains keynotes, sessions, breakout sessions and more. In addition, virtual social events can include information from many sessions, as well as community engagement features. While virtual social events are not as effective as in-person events in lead generation and networking, they allow participants to view keynotes in real time, create their schedule from relevant on-demand information and interact with other participants.Now, how do you turn a traditional event into an online experience by hosting a virtual event? Continue reading for more virtual event ideas for companies.The Coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly force you to adjust the way you conduct yourself in your work and personal life, but it will also provide you with a reason to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. While transitioning from a physical to a digital event has its problems, if you stay organized and make sure your participants are prepared, you stand a good chance of having a successful outcome.

Staying organized

Step 1. Make a schedule

Because virtual social events don't allow everyone to be in the same room simultaneously, management is key to staying on track. Participants can be on the same virtual page by creating a schedule for the day, week or however long your event lasts. A schedule for the day helps set expectations and ensures that presentations and performances are on time. Remember to incorporate natural breaks throughout the day when planning a virtual social event schedule, just as you would when organizing an in-person event.

Step 2. Send a notification outlining the event guidelines.

While live-streaming an event from home may seem less formal than meeting in a public place, there are still rules of digital etiquette and decorum to follow. Make sure everyone knows how to mute their microphones and take turns speaking, especially if your event contains numerous speakers or interactions. This will prevent the speech from overlapping or becoming incoherent. A brief email clarifying these principles should be sufficient to eliminate unwanted interruptions or misunderstandings.

Step 3. Verify that all participants have the necessary hardware, software and meeting links.

Verifying that each participant has the right equipment and understands how to access the meeting is an important consideration when preparing for a virtual social event. Attendees will almost certainly need specific equipment or peripherals to stream in real time with a good connection. If they don't, they may be completely shut out of the event.Reliable conferencing equipment, good hardware and software components, plus a secure Internet connection are required. Is it possible for attendees to join the meeting using their web browsers, or do they need to install a particular program or programs before the session begins? Let them know early and tell them what to do. Make sure all meeting URLs, passwords, and procedures for connecting to the meeting are sent out in advance.

Step 4. Set up the attendees' virtual social event.

There will always be user error when it comes to technology. Virtual social events are not all the same. There are many video conferencing tools as well as event technology alternatives available. Don't take the digital literacy (or lack thereof) of your attendees for granted. It's ideal to produce a guide for attendees prior to the event that explains how to get to the event, the sessions and more.Allow guests to try to initiate sessions or send messages prior to the start of the event. This will reduce guest stress, reduce the flood of inquiries on the first day of the event and create a better overall event experience. This handbook does not need to be outdated. Will there be a host for your event? Consider asking them to make an introductory video that both teaches them and is humorous.

Step 5. Make use of eye-catching graphics

Visuals have as much impact on virtual social events as the vocal parts. It is crucial to add visuals that complement rather than detract from your presentation or meeting. Along with the verbal message, consider using relevant charts or graphs, maps, info graphics or even video clips. Visuals should keep your audience interested and listening, so if your graphics are interactive, that's even better.Remember that some of your participants will be visual learners who like to learn through pictures, images and colors, while others will prefer to learn through audio. However, collaborative communication benefits everyone by opening up new ideas and clarifying complex techniques, so if possible, ask for audience participation and involvement.

Conclusion

Instead of canceling your events, turn them into engaging digital experiences. The opportunity for knowledge sharing and face-to-face interaction still exists; it just looks a little different right now. You can practically host any event!From trade shows and leadership conferences to weddings and other key milestones. With the right technology and a reinvented strategy. So for a fantastic digital experience, stay organized, set ground rules and keep your visuals. You now received lots of virtual event ideas for companies. We hope your next virtual social event will be a success.

Un webinar è un tipo di evento virtuale. Dato lo sviluppo della tecnologia, gli eventi virtuali ora offrono molto di più di una semplice presentazione digitale unilaterale. Un evento fisico viene ora replicato online! Ciò significa che sono disponibili numerose sessioni con vari elementi come sale di networking, cabine virtuali e banchi informazioni

I webinar sono ancora un punto fermo nel settore, costituiscono un elemento dei moderni eventi virtuali. Questo può spesso rendere difficile distinguere tra un webinar e un evento virtuale. Descriviamo le differenze tra i due.

Per cominciare, ecco le definizioni:

Eventi virtuali:

Un evento virtuale a 360° va oltre la fornitura di un solo elemento. Offre più componenti e sessioni in un arco di tempo molto più lungo.

Questo può essere qualsiasi cosa, da tutorial e networking, a lanci di prodotti e conferenze virtuali. Ogni evento avrà una sua identità, è importante per te identificare quali componenti ti forniranno il massimo coinvolgimento.

Webinar:

Abbreviazione di presentazioni o seminari basati sul Web, un webinar è un modo interattivo per connetterti con i partecipanti in un ambiente privato che enfatizza l'apprendimento. La procedura normale prevede che un ospite venga raggiunto da uno o più relatori per discutere un argomento per un determinato periodo di tempo.

Ora che abbiamo compreso i concetti di evento virtuale e webinar, è tempo di approfondire le principali differenze tra i due.

I webinar non sono eventi a cui siamo abituati

Un webinar è un evento virtuale in quanto coinvolge le persone che interagiscono in un ambiente online. Gli eventi virtuali sono multidimensionali e, anche se molto probabilmente coinvolgeranno molti webinar, il loro scopo va oltre. L'ambito di un webinar è molto più ristretto di quello di un evento virtuale, ed è per questo che gli esperti di marketing li utilizzano per scopi più specifici, dalla formazione sul prodotto alle lezioni.

I webinar hanno una portata molto più ristretta

Sì, la dimensione di un webinar può essere di centinaia, ma quando lo confrontiamo con un evento virtuale c'è una grande differenza. Perché quest'ultimo ha una larghezza di banda molto più ampia e con ciò arriva un pubblico più ampio. I partecipanti all'evento virtuale parteciperanno all'evento per molteplici motivi rispetto ai partecipanti al webinar che hanno in mente un'esigenza specifica.

Che si tratti di networking o stand virtuali, la diversità che deriva dagli eventi virtuali apre a molti più partecipanti.

È più difficile esprimere la tua narrativa con un webinar

I diversi elementi degli eventi virtuali rendono molto più facile esprimere la tua narrativa sia per il marchio che per l'evento stesso. Rispetto a un webinar che sarà solo una presentazione con un relatore e alcune interazioni da lavagne e sondaggi, gli eventi virtuali ti consentono di andare oltre.

I diversi componenti di un evento virtuale offrono molte più opportunità per ritrarre te stesso e, a loro volta, i tuoi partecipanti avranno un'esperienza completa del marchio e di tutto ciò che hai da offrire.

I webinar danno ai partecipanti meno libertà

Quando si tratta di eventi virtuali, i partecipanti possono scegliere i contenuti che desiderano sperimentare. Forse sono lì per il networking, o forse sono lì per gli stand degli espositori. Sebbene i webinar siano sempre popolari, ci sono molti altri motivi per cui i partecipanti vogliono partecipare agli eventi.

Per gli esperti di marketing ciò significa maggiore coinvolgimento e per i partecipanti significa la libertà di partecipare a ciò che li interessa di più. Vale anche la pena notare che molti eventi virtuali offrono registrazioni di webinar su richiesta durante e dopo l'evento.

I webinar non hanno la stessa quantità di coinvolgimento

Garantire che i tuoi partecipanti siano sempre coinvolti è molto più difficile quando si tratta di eventi virtuali. Ecco perché si tratta di dare loro diverse opzioni. Quello che vediamo con i webinar è che la loro struttura rigida è spesso un deterrente per il coinvolgimento dei partecipanti. Le opzioni sono limitate e con ciò diventa molto più difficile per i partecipanti interagire e comunicare.

Ora confrontalo con un evento virtuale, che offre anche domande, concetti ed esperienze dal vivo, puoi vedere come e perché è molto più facile per i partecipanti immergersi nell'evento virtuale.

Oltre alle nozioni di base, le piattaforme webinar offriranno anche elementi visivi tra cui streaming live, condivisione di presentazioni, sondaggi e chat dal vivo. La presentazione è solitamente seguita da una sessione di domande e risposte in cui il pubblico può porre domande come queste:

Ho bisogno di un computer recente per ascoltare un webinar?

No, non è obbligatorio. Tuttavia, assicurati di chiudere tutte le applicazioni aperte sul tuo computer. Naturalmente è necessario anche l'accesso a Internet.

E se ho un problema a contattarti?

Insieme al link ti verrà fornito un numero di telefono per problemi tecnici. Potrai anche ottenere assistenza diretta dal supporto tecnico del servizio webinar che utilizziamo.

Posso connettermi con il mio tablet o smartphone?

Sì, purché Internet sia accessibile sui tuoi dispositivi.

Tipi di webinar e obiettivi

C'è una vasta gamma di possibili argomenti per i webinar. L'importante è che il contenuto aggiunga valore ai partecipanti e non sia un discorso di vendita mascherato. Gli argomenti possono essere suddivisi in diversi tipi, ciascuno relativo a diverse aree di competenza e obiettivi.

Un webinar ben congegnato di solito coinvolge un oratore speciale. L'organizzazione non è un'esperta completa dell'argomento e spesso si rivolge a una terza parte esperta nel suo campo. Il gruppo target è costituito da clienti esistenti e potenziali nuovi. Inoltre, la divulgazione può includere un caso di studio.

I partecipanti possono confrontarsi con l'esempio fornito e scoprire come funziona una soluzione in un caso pratico. Secondo Webattract, questo metodo è molto efficace ed è uno dei preferiti tra i webinar di marketing e vendita in America. "Know-how" sono anche tipi popolari di webinar per il marketing e le vendite. Un'agenzia di marketing può in un webinar coprire le basi della SEO o spiegare cose sulla generazione di lead.

Webinar per la formazione

La formazione viene sempre più svolta anche online, tramite webinar, per diversi motivi. In primo luogo, per i professionisti in diversi campi, possono facilmente ottenere punti di "formazione personale" (PT) per il loro lavoro. La formazione viene utilizzata anche per dimostrazioni (software) di prodotti già acquistati per supportare i clienti, come un sistema CRM.

Ci sono anche dimostrazioni di prodotti che vengono utilizzate come strumento di marketing per incoraggiare i partecipanti ad acquistare o per mantenere il rapporto con il cliente. Pensa ad esempio a un'analisi del mercato azionario per investitori privati ​​oa una spiegazione dell'uso ottimale di una bacheca di lavoro online.

Infine, i webinar vengono spesso utilizzati anche per la comunicazione interna. Soprattutto per le aziende che non sono geograficamente vicine tra loro o che hanno più sedi. Un webinar è quindi una soluzione efficace per comunicare e conservare la conoscenza. Gli argomenti sono prevalentemente di attualità, come un aggiornamento periodico sulla situazione aziendale o nuovi sviluppi.

Inoltre, i webinar offrono anche eccellenti opportunità di formazione per i dipendenti. Ricorda, l'accesso individuale al computer è essenziale per la comunicazione interna.

Caratteristiche della scelta di un buon argomento

Un webinar presenta una soluzione a un gruppo target che ha un problema specifico e sta cercando una (nuova) soluzione particolare. Se il webinar promette di risolvere il problema, questo li motiva a partecipare al webinar (il principio "Che vantaggio ne ricavo?"). Quindi assicurati di scoprire chi appartiene a questo gruppo target e cosa si perde.

Questo può essere fatto intervistandoli regolarmente e/o creando "buyer personas". La ricerca sui social network può anche dirti molto sulle domande che il gruppo target ha. Inoltre, un argomento di successo deve soddisfare le seguenti condizioni:

• Contenuti sufficienti di cui parlare
• Interessante per il gruppo target
• Rilevante per il gruppo target
• Concreto e specifico

Per semplificare la selezione di un argomento appropriato, è anche possibile utilizzare uno degli argomenti suggeriti da un precedente sondaggio webinar o in fase di registrazione. Non è raro che il contenuto del webinar venga modificato in seguito in base al feedback dei moduli di registrazione. Infine, anche i dati di marketing e di vendita sugli interessi e le esigenze del gruppo target possono svolgere un ruolo nel determinare l'argomento.

Quando un argomento soddisfa le condizioni di cui sopra per un periodo di tempo più lungo, si può scegliere di ripetere lo stesso webinar (periodicamente). Questo è particolarmente vero per le dimostrazioni (software) e gli argomenti di marketing. La ripetizione degli argomenti è efficace e consente di risparmiare tempo e denaro per lo sviluppo.

Scegliere la piattaforma giusta per ospitare il tuo webinar

Per iniziare, dovrai decidere come vuoi offrire il tuo webinar. Tu e il tuo team dovete considerare quali sono gli obiettivi del vostro webinar: volete educare i vostri clienti, generare vendite o sviluppare lead? Il tuo obiettivo potrebbe essere qualcosa di completamente diverso.

Ecco cosa considerare prima di scegliere una piattaforma per il tuo webinar, con diversi casi d'uso.

Demo di prodotti ricorrenti e generazione di lead

Se desideri generare lead e tenere demo programmate, avrai bisogno di una piattaforma in grado di pianificare i tuoi webinar. Alcune piattaforme offrono soluzioni di hosting online che ti permetteranno di eseguire webinar automatizzati e persino di creare una serie di webinar per coltivare i tuoi contatti. In questo caso, opta per una piattaforma webinar con analisi integrate in grado di fornirti dati a cui puoi fare riferimento in seguito per la tua strategia di marketing.

Marketing dei contenuti

L'aggiunta di webinar alla tua strategia di contenuti è un'ottima idea per attrarre e trattenere il tuo pubblico di destinazione. Lo streaming live andrà a beneficio di tutti i partecipanti e vorrai assicurarti che la piattaforma che scegli abbia un software in tempo reale per fare la tua mossa.

Formazione clienti e domande e risposte

Se stai cercando di formare i tuoi clienti e rispondere alle loro domande, i webinar sono sicuramente una soluzione formidabile. La tua piattaforma webinar dovrà essere dotata di funzionalità che ti consentano di porre domande in modo che il tuo pubblico possa interagire direttamente con te. Un altro utile strumento che la tua piattaforma dovrebbe offrire sono le funzionalità di condivisione dello schermo, in particolare per la formazione dei clienti. In questo modo, sarai in grado di guidare i tuoi clienti attraverso ciascuna delle tue azioni, passo dopo passo.

Formazione scolastica

I webinar possono essere un ottimo modo per educare il tuo pubblico. La piattaforma che stai cercando dovrebbe essere in grado di bloccare i tuoi corsi dietro un paywall e impostare reindirizzamenti automatici alla fine di ogni sessione. In questo modo, gli studenti potranno iscriversi al corso successivo pochi minuti dopo ogni sessione. Se prevedi di ospitare webinar didattici, assicurati che la tua piattaforma webinar consenta sondaggi durante la sessione. Questi possono essere un buon modo per misurare la comprensione dei tuoi punti chiave di apprendimento.

Le migliori piattaforme per ospitare webinar in questo momento sono Livestorm, ClickMeeting, Zoom e GoToWebinar. A parte i tipi di webinar che vuoi organizzare, che abbiamo visto sopra, ci sono altri fattori chiave da considerare: quanti partecipanti sono previsti? Quali funzionalità vengono offerte? La piattaforma è facile da usare? E poi c'è anche la questione del prezzo, che non va trascurata.

Trova la tua squadra

Potresti essere la persona responsabile della pianificazione del webinar, ma avrai bisogno di un team per implementare completamente il tuo progetto. In genere, un webinar richiede almeno un relatore o facilitatore e almeno un ospite, che porterà più dinamismo alla tua conferenza online.

I tuoi relatori e ospiti dovrebbero aggiungere valore alla presentazione. Puoi selezionare strategicamente le persone in base alle loro competenze complementari. Ad esempio, se stai ospitando un webinar di formazione per i clienti, potresti voler invitare un membro del tuo team di prodotto per informare i tuoi clienti di una nuova funzionalità. L'aggiunta di membri di qualità ai tuoi webinar può aggiungere un valore innegabile al tuo pubblico e aiutarti a costruire solide relazioni con i partecipanti.

Chiedi sempre al tuo team di relatori di fare una corsa a secco prima del grande giorno, per rompere il ghiaccio e assicurarti che tutti si sentano a proprio agio durante il webinar.

Prepara i tuoi contenuti

Dopo aver scelto la tua squadra, è il momento di creare contenuti in base al tipo di webinar che desideri ospitare. Sarà una presentazione PowerPoint e una presentazione con solo il presentatore principale in primo piano? O forse vuoi fare un pannello di domande e risposte dal vivo? In ogni caso, dovrai produrre il contenuto giusto con le migliori risorse possibili.

Ad esempio, se stai utilizzando PowerPoint, dovrai creare la tua presentazione. Assicurati che le diapositive che scegli si concentrino sui tuoi punti chiave, ma non includano testo. Queste diapositive dovrebbero essere visivamente accattivanti e includere grafica e immagini interessanti.

Quando pianifichi i tuoi contenuti, cerca di renderli il più coinvolgenti possibile, poiché il pubblico non presta sempre molta attenzione. Gli studi hanno dimostrato che lo spettatore medio ricorda solo una media di 4 diapositive su 20 durante una presentazione PowerPoint!

Se stai ospitando un webinar in stile discussione, pianifica il tempo e gli interventi dei tuoi relatori e ricorda di lasciare il tempo per le domande del pubblico. Una volta che hai pronto PowerPoint, video e sondaggi, sei pronto per presentare il tuo webinar.

Promuovi il tuo webinar

Promuovere il tuo webinar è una delle cose più importanti che farai. Oggi puoi raggiungere facilmente il tuo pubblico di destinazione promuovendo il tuo webinar sui tuoi account di social media. Inoltre, pianificare l'invio di e-mail promozionali e l'integrazione di un modulo di registrazione sul proprio sito Web aumenterà inevitabilmente il numero di partecipanti.

Per assicurarti che quante più persone possibile abbiano la possibilità di registrarsi, devi far sapere alle persone dove trovare la tua pagina di registrazione. Si consiglia di inviare il nostro link di registrazione via e-mail, insieme a un elenco di organizzatori, ospiti e partecipanti. L'aggiunta di banner al tuo sito Web principale e l'integrazione della pagina di registrazione nel tuo sito Web o altri materiali di comunicazione possono essere un modo utile per generare interesse.

Ad esempio, la prossima newsletter che invierai potrebbe contenere un link alla tua pagina di registrazione al webinar. Meglio ancora, se stai pianificando una strategia di webinar a lungo termine, puoi impostare un programma di influencer marketing con esperti del settore. Costruire strette relazioni con questi esperti può essere un'ottima tecnica per ottenere più iscritti. In questo modo, puoi anche promuovere il tuo webinar sulle reti e sui media degli influencer e beneficiare direttamente dei loro iscritti.

Prepara la tua attrezzatura tecnologica e i materiali

La configurazione dell'attrezzatura è il passaggio finale del processo di preparazione pre-webinar. Assicurati di utilizzare un microfono e una videocamera di alta qualità. Un feed audio scadente farà uscire il pubblico. I microfoni Shotgun sono fantastici, poiché si concentrano sulla tua voce eliminando i rumori estranei.

Puoi controllare le impostazioni di registrazione scegliendo una posizione insonorizzata lontana dal rumore ambientale. Cerca di includere molta luce naturale nello scatto e investi in lampade di qualità per garantire una buona illuminazione. Esegui un controllo tecnico finale del tuo webinar per assicurarti che tutto funzioni come dovrebbe e tieni sempre a disposizione un computer di riserva in caso di guasto.

Conclusione

I webinar sono ottimi sia come strumento di marketing che per la distribuzione di informazioni, ma non sono eventi nel senso classico di quello che sappiamo essere un evento. Gli eventi virtuali offrono molta più flessibilità e con ciò una maggiore opportunità di interagire con i partecipanti e offrire loro un'esperienza migliore. In definitiva, tutto si riduce alle tue esigenze e ai tuoi obiettivi di marketing.

Hai fatto tutto il necessario per preparare il webinar perfetto. Hai i migliori altoparlanti, hai controllato i tuoi materiali e hai completato il processo di promozione. Non resta che passare alla presentazione.

Dopo il webinar, non dimenticare il follow-up. I webinar sono ovviamente una grande opportunità di vendita e non vuoi che le persone si dimentichino di te una volta terminato il webinar. Ecco perché è essenziale tenersi in contatto inviando un'e-mail di ringraziamento, oltre a raccogliere feedback dai partecipanti in modo da poter organizzare webinar migliori in futuro.

First of all, it should be noted that return on investment is different from profitability for hybrid events. Even though they are two similar concepts, the first does not necessarily refer to the financial aspect. However, the latter means that the investment generates profits.

Therefore, to ensure the profitability of hybrid events, you must exceed the threshold. This means that the amount of money you make from your project exceeds the amortization of your expenses. Last year, it was difficult for planners to think about this aspect, especially with the new virtual format not being mastered. But with the gradual recovery of the economy and the need to cover losses due to the crisis, making money by organizing a profitable event is paramount.

On what does the profitability of hybrid events depend?

Profitability depends first and foremost on your understanding of hybrid event concepts. If are used to organizing face-to-face formats, rethinking your planning is necessary. It is difficult to combine the physical and the virtual. It is a real challenge. But it is not impossible.

So don't skip steps. You will not get the profitability of hybrid events immediately, but it is better to move forward gradually and succeed than to hurry and fail. We advise you to create a smaller event before implementing a large concept. This will allow you to test the effectiveness of your planning, interest in your content and immersion in the new format.

First, get your target audience excited. Then, provide elements of engagement. Then, reinforce networking. The programming may not be completely the same for your two audiences. But meeting the needs of both will make your hybrid events profitable.

Evaluate your costs before embarking on a particular concept. Remember, you won’t have a profitable event if you are not able to raise money beyond the expenses allocated to your hybrid events. Your post-event budget studies must be thorough. Don't forget to include contingencies.

Hybrid events are here to stay, even after in-person events make a comeback. In a survey of 20,000+ brand marketers, 78 percent agree that in-person events will pivot to hybrid models following the pandemic. A profitable event needs to be more than just one dimensional - it needs to allow participation from anywhere and not just live and in person.

But holding a hybrid event isn't as simple as just streaming your in-person experience online. To really resonate with both your in-person and online audiences, you'll need to create two engaging, immersive experiences within your one hybrid event to have a profitable event.

So if you're planning a hybrid event, start with these FAQs:

What do hybrid events look like?

Hybrid events consist of an in-person gathering that is simultaneously streamed to an online audience via a virtual event software. While speakers present to the live audience onstage, the session is streamed to remote attendees via a hybrid event software.

Agenda sessions and breakout sessions are hosted in individual rooms on the hybrid event software, each with chat boxes, Q&A panels and other interactive features to keep virtual attendees involved.

Virtual networking centers and sponsor booths provide the same engagement elements for the online guests, all in a fully branded event environment. ‍This guarantees a successful and profitable event.

What are some of the advantages of hosting hybrid events?

Reach More People: A common concern is that your hybrid event will cannibalize guests and revenue from your IRL option. But hosting hybrid events doesn’t cannibalize your audience—it creates a brand new one. 96 percent of online attendees at hybrid events were not planning to attend live, according to Matthew Ley, President of The Streaming Network. “They’re the ones who just aren’t that into you yet,” Ley says.

New lead generation pipeline: On-the-fence customers are more likely to give you a few hours of their time spent at home, on their own schedule, than a full day of travel and in-person activity. So through hybrid events, you can get time with a whole new source of prospects, then sell them throughout the event. If you really nail your online experience, you can build a whole new lead generation pipeline in no time.

Promote Accessibility and Flexibility: Whether they have children at home or work commitments keeping from traveling, many would-be guests may not be able to travel to and attend your whole weekend-long event in person. Hybrid events provide flexibility that enables parents and other professionals to attend events they’d have previously skipped, which broadens your audience pool.

The future of events will be hybrid experiences

With regards to profitable events, the goal is to create engaging, memorable experiences that are tailored to your audience. The experience of each participant is the key to a successful event. Those in the event industry know best that this industry requires a high level of adaptability and innovation, even more so in this era of digital transformation. This past year has forced us all to reinvent ourselves towards virtual and now hybrid models.

One of our objectives is to be at the center of this reflection in order to co-innovate with the various industry players to be at the forefront of trends for the future of events.

The hybrid event - which combines the realities of face-to-face and virtual events - is now slowly becoming the new industry standard. Indeed, this formula offers immense potential by granting great flexibility to participants and sustainability of content and micro-experiences.

The limitations of physical space and time are no longer relevant as hybrid event platforms allow for content sharing and networking opportunities outside of the event time window, even year round. Also, these platforms are an opportunity for event organizers to attract more participants while increasing the range and depth of experiences.

Hybrid events are breaking down the geographic barriers

In addition, the virtual component breaks down geographic barriers and creates international human connections. By maximizing the reach of the audience, the potential return on investment also increases. The hybrid formula therefore optimizes the profitability of your event content initiatives, in addition to offering new audiences to your partners.

The success of a hybrid event depends above all on an innovative experiential strategy that is adapted to each type of participant, with features that leave room for creativity.

Your hybrid experiential strategy goes far beyond simply delivering your content virtually. Virtual courses must be distinct from face-to-face courses in order to have a tangible and lasting impact on all participants. The key to success lies in personalizing these two experiences by conceptualizing two complementary value propositions.

The first step is to master the understanding of your persona. Get to know your participants, their interests, their meeting goals and their needs. This will allow you to customize your offering and create more value for your entire community.

The advantage of the hybrid event doesn't end there. Typically, your events are also your brand. One of the challenges of events is to attract participants, but also to optimize your retention rate and create long-term relationships with your clientele.

Use virtual events to keep in touch

To create that sense of loyalty with your attendees, use the hybrid event to create more excuses to meet and generate a continuum of engaging experiences that will keep you in touch with your attendees more often and throughout the year.

Whether it's with monthly mini-conferences, recurring networking moments or ongoing knowledge sharing, hybrid event platforms allow for increased communication and engagement opportunities to create lasting connections. Some participants will even naturally become ambassadors within your communities.

Another important aspect to consider is the connection between your virtual and face-to-face participants. We strive to offer features that allow you to push the limits of what is possible and create a bridge between your participants.

The networking features we’ve developed allow event organizers to create a continuum of exchange between their participants. Our hybrid event platform, accessible on desktop and mobile devices, allows face-to-face participants to create opportunities to meet and exchange with virtual participants. Whether in chat or private video conferences, participants will be able to create links and connections in one click.

Our networking and collaborative learning feature allows participants to create their own meeting opportunities, at a time that is convenient for them. With just a few clicks, participants will be able to create conversation topics and set a time to meet with other participants who share an interest in that topic, either virtually or in person.

Hybrid software is about to evolve

For the future, we can certainly expect the technological dimension to continue to evolve to amplify the connectivity of events and encourage the creativity of organizers. This will include the integration of new interactive features supported by artificial intelligence to stimulate the community.

Also, we expect to see a transformation of event models towards smart community models; virtual event platforms would give way to permanent environments where community members could engage year-round through knowledge sharing, value adherence and continuous content discovery. These smart community models are punctuated by face-to-face or hybrid events.

Building sustainable value-creating experiences is our mission. The development of our platforms aims to put technology at the service of human connections in order to create connected communities and generate a real impact and ensure a profitable event for our customers..

As players in a constantly evolving industry, we at expertshare are committed to continuously exchanging with our partners and clients in order to stay ahead of the curve and offer solutions that adapt to the realities and needs of the industry.

So many businesses are shifting to the digital realm to host their biggest event experiences: Online conferences.

Why Create a Virtual Conference?

There are several reasons why an organisation might switch to virtual events. Some of these include greater access and ensuring that the event can still go on in the event of a disaster. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated this. Whatever your reasoning, virtual conferences are now easier than ever to host.

Virtual conferences differ from other online events (such as webinars) in that they are more intensive. Virtual conferences, which are frequently multi-day and multimedia interactions, involve many moving parts as well as the coordination of different key players.

Web conferencing tools allow you to gather your employees, your customers, your suppliers and your other partners around a virtual platform for a work meeting or a seminar. All participants in the web conference can communicate and exchange data in real time from a distance. Web conferencing is a more complete tool than videoconferencing because it allows you to exchange documents live.

With this being said, do not let the intricacy of hosting a virtual conference deter you from doing so. Conferences are an excellent way to share a wide range of information with members in a single convenient package.

Online conferences take this a step further. They allow your company to provide the same level of experience to members without requiring anyone to leave their homes.

Advantages and disadvantages of web conferencing

The advantages of an online conference

Online conferences are a direct consequence of the digital transformation that has been taking place for several years now. So, they allow you to facilitate your work on many levels.

Web conferencing is a tool that has two major advantages: saving time and money.

Holding an online conference avoids travel for participants who, instead of physically meeting at one location, will only have to connect from their office to the virtual meeting. Participants don't waste time traveling, which also saves companies travel costs. For a group with entities all over the world, these benefits are significant.

Participants must be properly equipped to participate in a web conference: they need a computer and, above all, good access to the Internet.

Finally, the exchange of documents and between participants is more difficult to secure. Be careful about the confidentiality and security of information exchanged during a web conference. For more information on computer security, you can consult your government website on this subject.

Save on the costs of organizing a conference

Organizing an online conference requires little equipment and expenses of any kind. Once you have a powerful computer, tablet or smartphone, the essentials are done. All you need to do is make sure you have a good internet connection and you're all set. For a successful online or face-to-face conference, you can turn to specialized providers such as startnplay.com.

Expand the audience of your conference

Online conferences are one of the best ways to make your events accessible to a large number of people. Participants can follow you from anywhere in the world without any difficulty, so you can reach a wider target audience without participants having to travel. In addition, many platforms allow you to record the entire course of your online conference as it happens. This way, you can allow those who could not follow it live to catch up.

Share with your team or your audience in all circumstances

In these times of pandemic, web conferencing makes it easier to work remotely. This way, you can maintain good communication and a good work rhythm within your team. Also, several platforms or dedicated companies allow you to make your conference a real interactive seminar.

This, notably thanks to certain functionalities such as :

• screen sharing ;
• chatbox ;
• microphone and camera options for participants;
• document exchange.

These are all features that make your online conference more interactive and thus more interesting and desirable for your audience.

The disadvantages of holding an online conference

Lack of physical contact

One of the major disadvantages of online conferencing is the lack of physical contact. This lack of physical contact hurts team cohesion in a very real way. The other equally important disadvantage is the technical problems. These can happen at any time. However, you can avoid them as much as possible by testing your material in advance.

Face-to-face conferences: a sometimes tricky option

Being able to communicate in front of your audience is one of the best features of face-to-face conferences. You can easily get an idea of your audience's receptivity. Also, the various meetings as well as the exchanges carried out are richer. They are a good complement to your conference program.

More expensive

However, face-to-face conferences are more expensive for both the organizers and the participants. In addition, the number of participants is limited in this type of conference. Online conferences, on the other hand, make up for the shortcomings of face-to-face conferences. They still offer a unique experience and a human contact that remains essential in certain situations.

In short, it is up to you to choose the type of conference to hold, depending on your objectives and circumstances. Also, the option of hybrid conferences can be considered to get the best of each type of conference.

Content is King

Content is crucial for any event and the same is true for virtual events.

In-person, conferences include keynote speakers, lunches, product launches and exhibits. In a virtual conference;

• Presentations become webinars

• Speaker panels become live-streamed events

• Networking events become video chats

• Sponsored exhibition elements become virtual trade shows. They will have sponsor pages and areas rather than physical exhibits.

Planning for a virtual conference? Be sure to include the same key elements and experiences that you would have included in a physical event. Simply alter these elements to make them more web-friendly.

Focus on Engagement

A difficult aspect of hosting online conferences is keeping members engaged. At a physical event, members are confined to a single location, whereby they are compelled to participate as a result. Even if they are not paying close attention or engaging, they are interacting with the event by simply being present.

However, with virtual events, it is easy to lose that engagement completely. Members can easily open a web browser, log into the event, and then walk away from the computer, effectively "walking out" of your event. It is up to you to mitigate that risk.

It is important to add some context to the subject matter of your event. Showcase where the event fits into the overall experience that you are offering. This proves to attendees the value of what is being offered. The more value they see in your event, the better the engagement and the more successful your event will be. After all, you still have your own agenda to profit from the event and that will only be possible if there’s enough engagement and participation from the audience.

The right web conferencing application

There are several web conferencing tools that allow you to make presentations, meet online, collaborate and share documents in real time with your employees, customers and suppliers.

To better filter web conferencing applications, here are some points to consider:

• What are the functionalities you need (video exchanges, audio, document exchanges? If yes, what is the size of the files in general? Do you need instant messaging?...)
• Does the proposed tool allow for a free trial period to verify that the product corresponds to what you are looking for?
• How many participants will usually attend your web conferences?
• Do you want the web conferences to be recorded?
• Are the network connections of your employees and partners compatible with the possible requirements of the application you are interested in?
• Do you want to be able to customize the web interface as you wish?
• What budget are you willing to spend on the web conferencing application?

Choose a solution that offers a free trial for a few days, so that you can judge the application before committing yourself.

Quick Tips

To liven up your conferencing sessions, consider the following:

• Webinars can be pre-recorded or live. Sessions can be replayed using expertshare’s platform, allowing greater flexibility for attendees.

• Panels of speakers with live chat features. Expertshare’s live chat functionality creates a sense of community amongst attendees.

• Gamification and social learning features are added to enhance e-learning experiences. Use expertshare’s poll function to get live votes from your attendees.

• Exhibitor booths and virtual trade shows are available. With expertshare, you are able to create exhibits and immerse your attendees in a complete virtual experience.

Session resources, such as transcripts and educational content, should be available for download.

Expertshare makes resources and downloads easily available to participants.

These include;

• Full-day networking chats and forums, as well as small group breakout sessions

• Virtual member-to-member meetings.

In summary, online conferences are a multi-faceted approach to conferencing. It requires exceptional content and a powerful virtual-events platform. Excellent community-building features should be available to keep attendees engaged. Check out our hybrid events article on how to best combine these features with an in-person event.

In order to optimize the impact of a virtual event, it is essential to implement a communication strategy before, during and after the event. How to promote a virtual event on social media? Here, you’ll get the answer in 12 essential steps!

But remember: The success of an event is never guaranteed.

Despite the financial investment, despite the time you spend on its organization and the quality of your programming, it is not guaranteed that your event will move the crowd. To put all the chances on your side and get the results you are aiming for, it is essential to promote your event.

How? With a real strategy!

Communicating on your event will allow you to gain visibility and notoriety, to increase the number of participants and their commitment. To promote your event before, during and after D-day, social networks are relevant levers.

How to promote a virtual event on social media (webinar, online conference, video summit...)? Indeed, with the multiplication of online events, we are witnessing an erosion of the audience and a decrease in registrations. For example, in 1 year, the live participation rate for webinars has dropped from nearly 40% to around 30%, with a replay rate that now falls to around 20%.

Hence the importance of carefully promoting your webinar to:

• Get more registrants
• Get more people to attend the live webinar (e.g.: offer a gift at the end, highlight the Q&A with the experts...)
• Encourage people to watch the replay

Promoting a virtual event and getting the maximum number of attendees

Whether it is virtual, hybrid or physical, the participation in an event is the major stake.

The number of registrations will necessarily play a role in the number of attendees, even if it is also necessary to work on the participants' journey (from registration to sending the replay). By adopting a few good habits and good reflexes you can organize an event that will be perceived as exceptional.

If you don't manage to promote it effectively and get your target audience to come, no matter how much effort you put into the organization or the quality of the proposed content, you will have worked hard for a result that won't live up to your expectations and budget.

A digital event (also called webinar, webinar, online conference...) is an online event where people only are participating via the internet. On the organizer side, the event is broadcasted either from a studio with cameras and a director, or simply via a PC using webinar tools (see this article with a comparison between Zoom and LiveStorm).

Thus, these digital or connected events allow messages to be transmitted without a physical meeting. The advantage of this type of event is to increase their reach and to obtain a national (or even international) dimension, as participants can attend without travelling, and even see the replay if they are not available.

Can all types of events be digitized?

From conventions to seminars to corporate parties, almost any event format can be digitized.

Organizing an online event is not the most complicated, because the investment starts at less than 100 € / month for an online event platform, to climb to more than 10 000 € for the rental of a studio with all the team (director, makeup artist...).

Before promoting it, make sure you design an event that makes sense to your target audience. It must provide real added value that will encourage them to participate. Keep in mind a key principle that should guide your promotional efforts "Why should my contacts participate in my online event, what is the benefit to them?"

Remember that your audience is over-solicited by many events similar to yours. They've been going to video conference meetings, online webinars that aren't always relevant, and other camera-based events for the past year. This overconsumption of videoconferences generates a real "Zoom fatigue" in many Internet users.

The "Zoom fatigue" symptom means that people are a bit tired of online events "without flavor" or added value, and this will make them even more selective with the proposed events!

An event relies above all on the choice of a target, a message to convey and a dedicated environment. So define well in advance the expectations, needs, frustrations and pain points of your audience. Then design the event tailored to meet their desires, expectations and attitudes. Offer them unique and useful content that will differentiate you from your competitors.

This way, you will give them a real experience, tailor-made for them!

Essential event branding

The branding linked to the event is essential. The name of the event associated with its logo allows it to make its existence known. It is an element of differentiation from competitors. It also gives the possibility to identify and characterize the event. This territory also participates in the sensoriality and the narrative around the event.

Choosing a name for your event and its logo remains strategic.

12 steps to promote an event on social media

Step #1 | Choose the right social networks

To promote an event effectively on social networks, it is necessary to first strategically select the platforms on which to communicate. To properly choose which social networks to use to promote your event, think about your goals and your target audience:

• Who is your target?
• What do they expect from you?
• What content do they like to consume?
• On which platforms?

To go further: Which social networks to choose for your company?

Step #2 | Define a hashtag for your event

The hashtag has a double advantage in promoting an event on social networks.

First, it will allow you to follow and analyze everything that is said before, during and after your event. This monitoring will allow you to adjust in real time the organization and promotion of your event. Then, the hashtag will allow you to reinforce the image of your event. Finally, the event is a product where the hashtag is the brand.

In this approach, the hashtag will also reinforce the feeling of belonging to a community among the participants. To promote your event with a quality hashtag, choose a simple and short hashtag.

Remember that on Twitter, tweets are limited to 280 characters. Also, to encourage participants to use your hashtag, don't hesitate to use it to communicate everything you do. In each of your posts on social networks, on your visuals, on the location of the event etc...

Finally, consider asking participants to mention this hashtag to communicate around the event on social networks.

Step #3 | Do some teasing

To promote your event on social networks and convince your target to participate, you need to make their mouths water. To do this, well before the big day, start promoting your event on social networks by telling the story behind the scenes of the organization or by regularly revealing small parts of the program.

To communicate well around your event, you need to generate interest and anticipation.

Step #4 | Invite influencers

No matter what business you're in, chances are there are thousands of influencers you can invite to your event. Influencers have a large and engaged community. If they are interested in your event, they will not hesitate to promote it on their social networks or their website.

Beware, influencers are very courted. So take care to personalize your message and be creative!

Step #5 | Designate someone to communicate during the event

I regularly organize conferences around web marketing and digital communication. I manage all the communication of the event and its organization. However, the day of the event, I can't be on stage and communicate on social networks..

The solution here to optimize the promotion of an event is to designate a person to communicate during the event on social networks by posting quotes, photos or videos.

Step #6 | Live stream the event

When you organize an event, there are inevitably people who can't make it to the event.

Yet, they are seduced by the theme...

Don't leave them in their frustration and let them follow your event live. To broadcast a live event, you have different tools like Periscope or Facebook Live. One of the advantages of using live streaming to broadcast your event is that you will then have a video to allow those who are not present to replay it via YouTube or any other platform.

Step #7 | Offer a Wi-Fi connection

If you want attendees to communicate about your event live on social media, you need to make sure they all have a sufficient connection. The best way to do this is to offer Wi-Fi access and post the steps to connect to it at the event.

You can also give a verbal reminder of the login and password before starting your event.

Step #8 | Broadcast the live Twitter feed during the event

To encourage attendees to communicate live on social media, nothing is more relevant than posting live what is being said on social media.

It's human, we are more tempted to do something if many before us have done it. Seeing live twitter feed​ scrolling through the event will make your attendees more tempted to take action.

Step #9 | Take as many photos as possible

To maximize the visibility of your event and help communicate the following, consider taking as many candid photos as possible. If you can, plan a fun, aesthetically pleasing location for attendees to take pictures of themselves. People love it and they'll be sure to share those great photos on social media.

Moreover, by posting the best photos on your social networks after the event, you will be able to keep the visibility brought by the event and will encourage participants to join you just to see how they appear in the shots.

Step #10 | Make a report

The end of an event does not mean the end of its promotion. How to promote your virtual event on social media? With social media, you can continue to promote your event by posting a report of what happened on the day. Text, photos, videos... everything is good to make participants relive the event and allow those who missed it to see what they missed.

Continuing to communicate your event will allow you to enjoy the visibility it brings you for a while longer.

Step #11 | Set the next date

The success of your event should allow you to maximize the impact of the next one. So don't hesitate to use social networks to set your next appointment! It can be interesting here to allow members of your community to register for the next event via a form like Eventbrite or Doodle.

Satisfied attendees will already want to reserve their spot and frustrated absentees won't want to miss the next deadline.

Step #12 | Be original!

As you know, you're not the only one organizing events.

Your customers and prospects are being asked for help from all sides and are fully aware that an event usually has a commercial purpose. For your event to be a success, not everything depends on promotion. Your event must be a quality event and bring added value to the participants.

Think carefully about what your event can bring to your target audience and find the formula that will make you stand out from your competition. Promoting an original event is a piece of cake. Promoting a flawed event may work once, but the next time, you will be alone at the event…

Conclusion:

The promotion of a virtual event requires much more advanced techniques than for a physical event. Since it is an online project, it is through this same channel that you will have to launch your marketing campaign. However, some standard pre-event communication practices are still applicable, even for this format.

The web is full of possibilities to promote your virtual event. You just have to find the means that match your objectives and your means. You now know how to promote your virtual event on social media.

A webinar is a type of virtual event. Given the development of technology, virtual events now offer a lot more than just a simple one-sided digital presentation. A physical event is now being replicated online! This means that numerous sessions with various elements such as networking rooms, virtual booths, and information desks are available.Webinars are still a staple in the industry, they form one element of modern virtual events. This can often make it challenging to distinguish between a webinar and a virtual event. Let’s outline the differences between the two.To begin, here are the definitions:

Virtual events:

A fully encompassing virtual event goes beyond providing just one element. It offers multiple components and sessions over a much longer time frame.This can be anything from tutorials and networking, to product launches and conferences. Every event will have its own identity, it is important for you to identify which components will provide you with maximum engagement.

Webinars:

Short for web-based presentations or seminars, a webinar is an interactive way for you to connect with your attendees in a private setting that emphasises learning. The normal procedure is for a host to be joined by one or more presenters to discuss a topic for a set period of time.Now that we’ve got an understanding of the concepts of a virtual event and a webinar, it’s time to dive into the main differences between the two.

Webinars aren’t events that we are accustomed to

A webinar is a virtual event as it involves people interacting in an online environment. Virtual events are multi-dimensional, and whilst they will most likely involve plenty of webinars, their scope goes beyond that. The scope of a webinar is much narrower than that of a virtual event, and that’s why marketers use them for more specific purposes from product training to classes.

Webinars have a much narrower scope

Yes, the size of a webinar can be in the hundreds but when we compare this to a virtual event there is a big difference. Because the latter has a much bigger bandwidth, and with that comes a bigger audience. Virtual event attendees are going to be attending the event for multiple reasons compared to webinar attendees who have one specific need in mind.Whether that’s for networking or virtual booths, the diversity that comes with virtual events opens it up to a lot more attendees.

It’s harder to express your narrative with a webinar

The different elements of virtual events make it a lot easier to express your narrative both for the brand and the event itself. Compared to a webinar which is just going to be a presentation with a speaker and some interaction from whiteboards and surveys, virtual events allow you to go further.The different components of a virtual event provide a lot more opportunities to portray yourself and in turn, your attendees will get a full brand experience of everything that you have to offer.

Webinars give attendees less freedom

When it comes to virtual events, attendees can pick and choose what content they want to experience. Maybe they’re there for the networking, or maybe they’re there for the exhibitor booths. Whilst webinars are always popular, there are plenty of other reasons as to why attendees want to attend events.For marketers that means greater engagement, and for attendees that means the freedom to attend what interests them the most. It’s also worth noting that a lot of virtual events offer webinar recordings on-demand during, and after the event.

Webinars don’t have the same amount of engagement

Ensuring that your attendees are always engaged is a lot tougher when it comes to virtual events. That’s why it’s about giving them different options. What we see with webinars is that their rigid structure is often a deterrent for attendee engagement. Options are limited and with this, it becomes much harder for attendees to interact and communicate.Now compare this to a virtual event, which also offers live questions, concepts, and experiences, you can see how and why it’s a lot easier for attendees to immerse themselves in the virtual event.Beyond the basics, webinar platforms will also offer visual elements including live streams, presentation sharing, surveys, and live chat. The presentation is usually followed by a Q&A session where the audience can ask questions like these:

Do I need a recent computer to listen to a webinar?

No, it is not required. However, be sure to close any applications that are open on your computer. Of course, Internet access is also required.

What if I have a problem reaching you?

A phone number for technical problems will be provided to you along with your link. You will also be able to get direct assistance from the technical support of the webinar service we use.

Can I connect with my tablet or smartphone?

Yes, as long as the internet is accessible on your devices.

Types of webinars and objectives

There is a wide range of possible topics for webinars. The important thing is that the content should add value to the participants and not be a sales pitch in disguise. Topics can be divided into several types, each related to different areas of expertise and objectives.A well thought-out webinar usually involves a special speaker. The organization is not a full expert on the subject and often calls on a third party who is an expert in his or her field. The target group consists of existing and potential new customers. In addition, the dissemination can include a case study.The participants can compare themselves to the given example and discover how a solution works in a practical case. According to Webattract, this method is very effective and is a favorite among marketing and sales webinars in America. "Know-how" are also popular types of webinars for marketing and sales. A marketing agency may in a webinar cover the basics of SEO or explain things about lead generation.

Webinars for training

Training is also increasingly done online, via a webinar, for several reasons. First, for professionals in different fields, they can easily get "personal training" (PT) points for their work. Training is also used for (software) demonstrations of products already purchased to support customers, such as a CRM system.There are also product demonstrations that are used as a marketing tool to encourage participants to buy or to maintain the relationship with the customer. Think for example of a stock market analysis for private investors or an explanation of the optimal use of an online job board.Finally, webinars are also often used for internal communication. Especially for companies that are not geographically close to each other or that have several offices. A webinar is then an effective solution to communicate and retain knowledge. The topics are mainly topical, such as a periodic update on the company's situation or new developments.In addition, webinars also provide excellent training opportunities for employees. Remember, individual computer access is essential for internal communication.

Characteristics of choosing a good topic

A webinar presents a solution to a target group that has a specific problem and is looking for a particular (new) solution. If the webinar promises to solve the problem, this motivates them to participate in the webinar (the "What's in it for me?" principle). So be sure to find out who belongs to this target group and what they are missing.This can be done by interviewing them regularly and/or by creating "buyer personas". Research on social networks can also tell you a lot about the questions the target group has. In addition, a successful topic must meet the following conditions:

• Enough content to talk about
• Interesting to the target group
• Relevant to the target group
• Concrete and specific

To simplify the selection of an appropriate topic, it is also possible to use one of the topics suggested from a previous webinar survey or during registration. It is not uncommon for webinar content to be modified later based on feedback from registration forms. Finally, marketing and sales data on the interests and needs of the target group can also play a role in determining the topic.When a topic meets the above conditions over a longer period of time, one may choose to repeat the same webinar (periodically). This is especially the case for (software) demonstrations and marketing topics. Repeating topics is effective and saves time and money on development.

Choosing the right platform to host your webinar

To begin, you'll need to decide how you want to deliver your webinar. You and your team need to consider what the objectives of your webinar are: do you want to educate your customers, generate sales or develop leads? Your goal may be something else entirely.Here is what to consider before choosing a platform for your webinar, with different use cases.

Recurring product demos and lead generation

If you want to generate leads and hold scheduled demos, you'll need a platform that can schedule your webinars. Some platforms offer online hosting solutions that will allow you to run automated webinars, and even create a series of webinars to nurture your leads. In this case, opt for a webinar platform that has built-in analytics that can provide you with data that you can refer to later for your marketing strategy.

Content marketing

Adding webinars to your content strategy is a great idea to attract and retain your target audience. Live streaming will benefit all participants, and you'll want to make sure the platform you choose has real-time software to make your move.

Customer training and Q&A

If you're looking to train your customers and answer their questions, webinars are definitely a formidable solution. Your webinar platform will need to be equipped with features that allow you to submit questions so that your audience can engage with you directly. Another handy tool your platform should offer is screen sharing capabilities, especially for customer training. This way, you'll be able to walk your customers through each of your actions, step by step.

Education

Webinars can be a great way to educate your audience. The platform you're looking for should be able to lock your courses behind a paywall and set up automatic redirects at the end of each session. This way, students will be able to register for the next course within minutes after each session. If you plan to host educational webinars, make sure your webinar platform allows for polls during your session. These can be a good way to measure understanding of your key learning points.The top platforms for hosting webinars right now are Livestorm, ClickMeeting, Zoom, and GoToWebinar. Aside from the types of webinars you want to run, which we've seen above, there are other key factors to consider: how many participants are expected? What features are offered? Is the platform easy to use? And then there's also the question of price, which is not to be overlooked.

Find your team

You may be the person in charge of planning the webinar, but you'll need a team to fully implement your project. Generally, a webinar needs at least one presenter or facilitator, and at least one guest, which will bring more dynamism to your online conference.Your presenters and guests should add value to the presentation. You can strategically select people based on their complementary skills. For example, if you're hosting a customer training webinar, you may want to invite a member of your product team to inform your customers of a new feature. Adding quality members to your webinars can add undeniable value to your audience and help you build strong relationships with participants.Always have your team of speakers do a dry run before the big day, to break the ice and make sure everyone is comfortable during the webinar.

Prepare your content

After you've chosen your team, it's time to create content based on the type of webinar you want to host. Will it be a PowerPoint presentation and a presentation with just the main presenter in close-up? Or maybe you want to do a live Q&A panel? Either way, you'll need to produce the right content with the best possible resources.For example, if you are using PowerPoint, you will need to create your own presentation. Make sure the slides you choose focus on your key points, but do not include text. These slides should be visually appealing and include interesting graphics and images.When planning your content, try to make it as engaging as possible, as the audience does not always pay close attention. Studies have shown that the average viewer only remembers an average of 4 out of 20 slides during a PowerPoint presentation!If you're hosting a discussion-style webinar, plan your speakers' time and interventions and remember to leave time for questions from the audience. Once you have your PowerPoint, videos, and polls ready, you are ready to present your webinar.

Promote your webinar

Promoting your webinar is one of the most important things you'll do. Today, you can easily reach your target audience by promoting your webinar on your social media accounts. In addition to that, planning to send promotional emails and integrating a registration form on your website will inevitably increase the number of participants.To make sure as many people as possible have a chance to register, you need to let people know where to find your registration page. We recommend sending your registration link by email, along with a list of organizers, guests and participants. Adding banners to your main website and integrating your registration page into your website or other communications materials can be a useful way to generate interest.For example, the next newsletter you send out may contain a link to your webinar registration page. Better yet, if you're planning a long-term webinar strategy, you can set up an influencer marketing program with industry experts. Building close relationships with these experts can be a great technique to get more registrants. This way, you can also promote your webinar on the influencers' networks and media and benefit directly from their subscribers.

Prepare your technology equipment and materials

Setting up your equipment is the final step in your pre-webinar preparation process. Be sure to use a high quality microphone and video camera. A poor audio feed will cause the audience to tune out. Shotgun mics are great, as they focus on your voice while cutting out extraneous noise.You can control your recording settings by choosing a soundproof location away from ambient noise. Try to include plenty of natural light in your shot and invest in quality lamps to ensure good lighting. Do a final technical check of your webinar to make sure everything is working as it should, and always have a spare computer available in case of failure.

Conclusion

Key TakeawaysWebinars are great as either a marketing or information delivery tool, but they aren’t events in the classic sense of what we know an event to be. Virtual events offer a lot more flexibility and with that comes a greater opportunity to engage with your attendees and provide them with a better experience. Ultimately, it all boils down to your needs and your marketing objectives.You've done everything you need to do to prepare the perfect webinar. You've got the best speakers, you've checked your materials, and you've completed the promotion process. All that's left is to move on to the presentation.After the webinar, don't forget the follow-up. Webinars are obviously a great sales opportunity, and you don't want people to forget about you once the webinar is over. That's why it's essential to keep in touch by sending a thank-you email, as well as collecting feedback from participants so you can organize better webinars in the future.

Before we talk about advantages, let’s clarify what a virtual event platform is.

The world of technology has been updating at a lightning speed over the last few decades - do you still remember those ultra slow modems with 2400 kbs which we used to connect to the Internet in the 90s? That is a time that none of us wants to go back to. Nowadays, the Internet speed is really ultra fast.

But just like back then, we are at a crucial time of change in our technological lives. Yes, the pandemic made us switch to virtual events faster than we normally would have, but let’s be real: This change was inevitable. We only have 24 hours a day to do everything, so can virtual events make our lives more flexible? Of course, and that's why we're switching to virtual reality.

What is a virtual event platform?

A virtual event is a general term for attending some kind of organized chat or online meeting. It can be something personal like a baby shower or a corporate career fair. Virtual events are held on a virtual event platform and have many advantages for your schedule.

Some people might think that virtual events are not as personal as physical events, and I might have agreed with you last year. But the truth is that virtual events can be even more personal with new technology that makes the event interactive.

What do you need to look out for when you are looking for a virtual event platform that should suit your needs?

Easy usability

Customers want to use platforms which are easy to understand and which can be used intuitively. No one wants to read a 150 page manual, first, in order to understand how certain things work. If the platform is too cumbersome to use, it will create friction with attendees and with your own team, so make sure that you choose a platform that gives people a great user experience.

If you have created a shortlist of the best software platforms then you need to evaluate the user friendliness. Is the login process easy enough or do your attendees have to face many obstacles before they can finally listen to the keynote? Test it yourself and look if it’s working well on all devices, not just your laptop. Nowadays, it is very important that the virtual event platform works well on mobile since most people will be using their smartphone to access the content. Better than a responsive version of it is a full mobile app.

A mobile app will ensure that you don’t create any barriers for your attendees and that they can truly enjoy your event. It also helps your team to make everything run smoothly. Another thing you’ll have to think about are the other marketing tools and the CRM - everything should have an option to be easily integrated into the virtual event platform. You need to check in advance if it offers all the functions you need. This is especially true if you are offering interactive parts which will make people feel like they’re attending a real in-person event.

Scalability

If you are running a big trade show with a global audience, you need to be able to handle thousands of guests. You don’t want to have people running into problems when trying to join your virtual event or when they want to watch and interact with your video presentations.

Large events with lots of people require a virtual event platform that is catering towards high capacity events. In case you are not sure about it, you can always contact their service team directly.

Smaller events can usually be handled more easily. If you are expecting just a handful of attendees, instead of hundreds or even thousands, you don’t really need to worry about scalability since you can just use a scaled-back virtual event platform. A feeling of intimacy and coziness are more important in that case.

Customization of the virtual event platform

A great way to offer something that differs from the virtual events others are holding is to create something that is a great experience for your attendees. And that means you should have a tool that will let you customize every single aspect of the virtual event platform of your choice.

You’ll need a highly customizable tool if you want to have a fully branded version of your virtual space. You want a platform where you can change all the colors, their imagery and the whole look and feel of the space where your attendees will meet. This makes it fun and intriguing for them, instead of having something that’s uninspired or even ordinary.

Also, with regards to sponsorships or exhibitors, lots of customization options will be great since you can offer them something that they can use to stand out in your virtual space. It can be something like moving content, logos onstage where the main speakers will be discussing the topics and even branded banners.

The world is your oyster

If the pandemic reminded us of anything, it was the importance of people. Relationships and feeling connected to people help us have a happy life. One of the main advantages of virtual event platforms is that they connect us with everyone in the world.

In your personal world, virtual events include all your family and friends. For example, some members of your family may live in Australia and others in Europe. If you want to celebrate a family event, it makes much more sense to move it to the Internet. You can create memories online by taking screenshots or recordings and preserve them forever. No need for magic, just a virtual event platform.

In your corporate world, virtual events open many doors. If you use virtual event platforms you can move your company will feel the advantages of a global company:

• You can hire employees from anywhere in the world, giving you a more skilled workforce.
• You don't need to pay for a venue for your events, so you can reduce overhead.
• You can redirect your revenue to develop other areas of your business.
• You can market your event globally, so you sell many more tickets.
• You can ask guest speakers from any country to make your event more diverse.
• Don't forget that many businesses are also moving to virtual event platforms today, so you need to compete with them. If you stay in the past with only physical events, your customers could be left behind.

Marketing opportunities

Marketing a virtual event is easier and more cost-effective than physical events. One advantage of using a virtual event platform is that you can share clips from the event directly on your newsfeed. You don't need to organize a camera crew to take videos and photos of the event. You could post live snippets of the event or clips afterward to show people what they are missing.

Read also: How to promote a virtual event on social media

In addition, virtual events market themselves. They have many advantages for the guest, such as:

• Virtual events save time, as you can host them from your own home.
• They save guests the cost of traveling to the event.
• Online events allow everyone to attend despite COVID-19 restrictions.
• Be sure to inform your guests about the advantages of virtual events when sending marketing emails.

More networking opportunities

How many times have you been to a physical event and you meet someone, get to talking and share a mutual interest? But the next thing you know, the event starts, you part ways. You have no contact details for them, so you miss the networking opportunity. That's happened to me a lot, but virtual events are here to save the day.

Virtual event platforms have a lot of advantages in terms of networking. Many of the virtual event platforms provide contact details for each attendee. You can hover your mouse over their image and see who they are and get a link to their contact details. This makes networking opportunities after the event much easier.

Also during the event, you can use the chat feature to have one-on-one conversations with guests. Smaller meeting rooms also leave room for more intimate discussions.

Additional branding options

Another advantage of virtual event platforms is that they allow you to customize your brand.

Just like a physical event, with decorations, signage and posters, virtual events are also branded. You can use your brand colors and logo on the event home page so that your attendees associate the event with your company. This will make the event unique to you and not just a black and white screen.

You will save money you would have spent on physical branding by moving virtual. Also, your event will be more environmentally friendly as you will not need to use paper for branding.

You can also use your sponsors as part of your branding so that they also have a presence at the virtual event.

Improved feedback collection

Virtual event platforms often have built-in systems that allow you to easily collect feedback.

You can create a post-event survey for your event to see what your guests have to say. Sure, at a physical event, your guests may complete a virtual survey, but when they're already on their devices, they'll be more likely to participate.

In addition to guest feedback, you can collect analytics from the event to see how it went. This will help you create a budget for your next virtual event, as you will know where the money was well spent.

Gathering feedback will be a great advantage for your next virtual event, as it will help you see where it went wrong / right. The virtual event platform will also interpret the feedback for you so you know exactly what to do. Virtual feedback is also easy to share with your colleagues.

Ready to use a virtual event platform?

I'm sure after reading our 5 advantages of virtual event platforms, you're ready to move online. Check out expertshare's virtual event platform if you want to organize your own virtual event.

Pharmaceutical industry conferences, internal communications, and training events are effective in providing a virtual platform and pharma event app to the industry. They bring together colleagues or individuals who are not based in the same location.

Product launches are typical virtual pharmaceutical industry events. If you need to communicate information to a large and diverse audience, going virtual saves time and money. It also more collaborative and engaging when done correctly. Just make sure that you have the right kind of pharma event app which has all the features you need.

The pillars of an event management app

1) Centralization

A single event software to centralize all your data. No need to use a plethora of tools: you don't have to create new accounts and spend time navigating from one tool to another. You reduce training time by a factor of 5, time that you can now spend on creating value.

2) Automation

A complete and powerful infrastructure to save time intelligently. For 50 events per year, using an event management platform or app saves almost 175 hours per year, or just over 7 days! Program your invitation campaigns, whether by email or SMS, collect data in a single entry point, automatically manage the validation process of your event budget.

3) Personalization

A smart interface to personalize your attendees' experience but also your event management experience. From an event management platform to guest satisfaction, there is only one step. With an event app software, you can create a custom event, with your image and colors, accompany participants in their relationship with your brand and your event, analyze with relevance all the data you have collected.

How do Virtual Conferences Differ from In-Person Events?

A virtual conference or training session includes the features of a physical event. Examples include live content in a branded auditorium and, the opportunity to ask questions. Conferences have also expanded their capabilities to engage and interact with attendees. Interaction can be created through live, audio, and video chat, as well as online networking booths.

Analytics are a key advantage of virtually delivering pharmaceutical industry events. Analytics include anything from the number of questions asked to the number of times an attendee has revisited the content.

Examples of where expertshare can be used:

Investor MeetingsAdvisoryKey Opinion LeaderWorld Congress/ ConventionSpeaker TrainingAnnual Shareholders MeetingsProduct LaunchEducational Dinner MeetingsContinuing Medical Education (CME)

Hybrid meetings provide the most effective means of communication and learning exchange. expertshare has experience with a variety of virtual and hybrid meetings. We can custom-tailor a pharma event app to meet your unique needs. We are the ideal partner to assist you in delivering an effective, informative program to all attendees. This is thanks to our comprehensive understanding of presentation expectations.

Why do you need a pharma event app?

You always need to ensure a seamless flow of information during a pharmaceutical conference of seminar. Our real time agenda allows attendees to create their own agenda and event calendar. Even if there are sudden changes, all guests will be updated automatically. And urgent notices can even be transferred via a push message.

Moreover, you can provide your audience with all the extra materials that are being shared during such a conference, like documents, photos, videos, presentations etc. If you're sharing knowledge, this makes it really easy for the guests to just follow the presentations without them having to hunt down the place where they can get e.g. the link for the videos or photos being shared on stage.

Your audience will have a constant access to all the teaching materials during and long after the event. Scientific content is valuable and we know how important it is for your audience to have access to it. That is why we gather and store all the files right in the app. Contact us if you want to know more about how an event app can help you with your own events.

Why a mobile app at my event?

A study conducted by Goldman Sachs showed that over 75% of the world's population owns a smartphone and that number is only growing. Despite the exceptions that prove the rule (yes, there are some!), the majority of your guests are comfortable with the concept of mobile apps and their use.

As a pharma event organizer, you are probably already fond of the packages that allow you to create a website dedicated to your event. You can thus indicate all the necessary information such as the place where the event will take place, the schedule and all useful practical information.

You can also put the program of your event, as well as the profile of the speakers who will speak for example. If you are really up to date with technology, your guests can also register directly on your site. However, if this is not yet the case, we invite you to contact us so that we can present you our solution!

By using a mobile application during your event, all these options are available on smartphones and optimized to the format of your device. The advantages are numerous...

Advantages of using a pharma event app

Very easy to use

Mobile applications have the advantage of being formatted for much smaller screens, so their use must be simplified compared to a classic computer navigation. The goal is to make your participants' experience as easy as possible. A 2 year old could use it!

Centralization of all information

The mobile application of your event must be the reflection of your website. That's why all the information available online from a computer is also available on a smartphone. Only the navigation is different.

A real time update

Same positive point as on a computer, a mobile application can be updated at any time. The latest information is therefore available to your guests. They can follow their personalized agenda and know what time the next workshop starts!

Accessible anywhere and anytime

The big bonus of a mobile event application is its accessibility. You always have your mobile with you, right? Well, by having your phone with you, you also have your mobile application and therefore the information about your event. It is also convenient to communicate with your guests, thanks to a push notification system for example.

An important statistical follow-up

In the same way that you can follow the performance of your website, the mobile application allows a detailed statistical follow-up. You will know what worked well and what needs to be improved in your next application: number of connections, services used, engagement rate!

Maximum interactivity

A memorable event is an event during which you have had a unique experience. And this unique experience is above all about creating links. An application can help you in this sense.

The webapp

A webapp is a mobile application accessible and executable through a cell phone Internet browser. It is not hosted on the phone directly but is accessible through a web address. In this sense, a webapp does not require a publication on the stores. The customization of your application according to the charter of your event is of course always possible. A real gain of time and freedom for you!

The native application

If you prefer your event to have its own dedicated native application, it is also possible. The participant will then have to go to the stores to download and host it, but it will be at his fingertips at all times! Available on Android and iOS, your native app is easily downloadable by your guests and works on all types of devices.

A plethora of features in your app

Information sharing

The participant has access to his personalized agenda with automatic alerts according to his registration to certain sessions. They can also find practical information, an access map to the event location, contact information...

They can also download files (speakers' presentations for example!) in the language of their choice.

Networking

Participants have access to the directory of all participants, can exchange in real time and even book meetings.

Instaphoto

Creating memories is often a priority during events. Your attendees will be able to take pictures from the mobile application, share them on the event news feed and react to other attendees' snapshots.

Highlighting partners

In a few clicks, you can create a page dedicated to each of your partners or speakers, linked to their social networks or website.

Interactivity

Because creating a link between participants is a major stake of your event, you should try out these fun and interactive features:

• Votes
• Quiz
• Questions / answers
• Chat
• Word clouds

All this with live broadcasting to wow your attendees! Through a moderation platform, you can choose which activities are open or not. For example, participants will not have access to your word cloud before the workshop.

Need a pharma event app? Get in touch!

If you have any questions regarding the customization of your event's mobile application, its handling or its deployment to your guests, our team of experts is at your disposal to answer your requests, whether they are technical or not. Efficiency is our keyword! Just contact us.

Mobile applications are particularly intuitive and create the little extra that makes the difference. And a pharma event app is great ally to make you stand out! In short, choosing a mobile application for your event means peace of mind thanks to its ease of creation, but above all, it allows you to keep a link with and between your participants, before and after your pharma event. Isn't it the wish of every organizer?

Many people have never heard of the expression "hybrid event" so they're asking themselves: "What is a hybrid event?".

Let’s dive into the answer now… If, for example, there is an in-person event with lots of different speakers on stage but also a few people in the audience, then there might still be a majority of people participating from home. Which means they are mainly a virtual audience with some live, in-person interactions. Or in some cases, it might be useful to have an exhibition be partly offline but for a large part of the audience, it will be live-streamed. There is a physical audience and an online audience coming together and they are all from various locations and are not in the same place.

So the short answer is: Hybrid events are a mix of live and virtual events.

Why should you try out hybrid events?

Hybrid events are more than just live-streams where you have a speaker in a little window while he’s explaining what is shown in his slides. You can expand your conference with a live broadcast and have a much better engagement when the audience can instantly interact with the presenters since it’s not static. Moreover, if you’re doing it this way, you can reach a much wider and more international audience since traveling is not a necessity anymore.

It is important that you make your event as interesting as possible, though, because it is too easy for them to just leave the event which can be done as easily as clicking the “x” of the software tool window. If you make your event interactive and entertaining, the audience won’t leave.

How to practically guarantee the success of a hybrid event

Dynamic images and angles

Using just one camera and showing the presenters just from one angle can make the presentation too boring. That is why it is important, to have 3-5 cameras and have them shoot from different angles. By creating some dynamics, the viewer will feel closer to the scene and more engaged. Showing everything from multiple angles will make your audience stick to the presentations.

Add interactive elements

A hybrid event is not the same as watching TV. In contrast: the live-event audience is ready to take action and ask questions or participate in a poll, a quiz or a brainstorming session. This can be done using Twitter or by giving them a URL where they can engage with a poll or quiz.

If you are planning a hybrid event, it is crucial that you’ll put in some thoughts about how to engage with your audience and what platforms or websites to use for it.

Priority Management

There are several differences in priorities between face-to-face and virtual meetings. In face-to-face meetings, the priorities are, in order, content, networking and entertainment. For virtual events, the focus is on generating meaningful interactions, followed by entertainment and finally relevant content. Now, for hybrid events, we need to find a balance between these two worlds to satisfy all audiences.

Limited time frame

It can be a lot of fun to participate in a hybrid event with lots of people from anywhere in the world. This special feeling of watching something on your own while still being simultaneously connected to other people gives the audience an energy that should be carried over through the whole event.

That is why it is important to have a time limited event which is not too long - most successful events take around 2 hours - an attention span which is acceptable for an online audience, especially when it is about something they love and care about.

Entertainment factor

You should not underestimate the entertaining factor an online event needs to have. Just like a talk show on TV has a moderator who leads the discussion in the right direction and and some guests who are pro or con against something, you also should set up your event in a way that people will feel entertained.

If it works on TV and the concept has been proven again and again, then you know that this is what you should be doing yourself if you’re hosting an event.

Room Adaption

It is important to find a room that can be adapted to accommodate all the technical equipment (control room, technical team). But you also need to configure the room in such a way as to be able to render a beautiful finished product on the screen (location of cameras, circulation etc.).

A clearly defined subject

Going back to that concept of a talk show, it is also clear that you need to have a topic to talk about with your audience. It cannot be too broad since the talk will be going in all directions that way. It needs to be very specific and you need to have guests that are experts in that clearly defined area of expertise.

That is how you can create something that will have a lasting impact on your audience and that they will really enjoy because they’re learning something valuable.

The benefits of hybrid events

The advantages of hybrid events are numerous. They combine the advantages of digital with those of a traditional physical event.

Indeed, thanks to digital, you can gather as many people as you want. People who are coming from all over the world! There are no constraints of number or space. Anywhere, anytime, people can participate in this type of event. Moreover, another important advantage of a hybrid event is its quality-price ratio. Instead of organizing several trade shows in different cities, a single hybrid event can bring together all your employees, customers and partners.

Secondly, the hybrid event is a great alternative, a great advantage in CSR. Overall, the organization time is also shorter. Hybrid events save time, energy, resources and efficiency! However, a hybrid event also requires creativity, to create real added value! This type of mixed event is still in its infancy. Without forgetting, to add the advantages of the physical:

• The friendly side
• The humanity
• The personalization
• The physical, tangible memories
• Double event

By working on different aspects, both on site and remotely, this double event will create several effects:

• Expand the visibility and number of participants of your event;
• Maintain a good level of attention and involvement;
• Increase engagement;
• Create a lasting impact.

Indeed, as we have shown, the hybrid event is an event format that is both economical, ecological and, above all, more and more attractive and qualitative! Even exceptional.

Hybrid events optimize everything: the venue, the equipment, the catering, the additional services... Unlike a classic or 100% digital event, everything makes sense again.

Engaging the public

Finally, it is very important to understand the subtleties of a hybrid event and to propose solutions accordingly! Indeed, too many people still think that engaging an online audience during a hybrid event is the same as a traditional online event. However, it is different in many ways.

This is why we have created the "Digital Event Experience"! This type of event is a hybrid, since there is a digital part - virtual platform, videos on TV sets and digital animations - and a physical part - with our customizable boxes received directly at home!

You now know what a hybrid event is. This type of event has many advantages and can be used for both private and corporate events. To take advantage of our expertise for quality hybrid events, don't hesitate to contact us!

How to generate revenue from hybrid events

Do you sell tickets? Do you finance your event with the support of sponsors? Revenue opportunities are multiplying with the arrival of hybrid events.

Each virtual event platform has its constraints, but some can accommodate an unlimited number of guests, and therefore offer many more tickets than there are seats in an amphitheater. On the ticket sales side for people who will be on site during the event, there is an opportunity to create a completely VIP experience, due to the small number of people who have access to the event room. Table service, gourmet meals, privileged access to a celebrity, these are all advantages that make this type of ticket all the more valuable (and therefore increase their price)!

On the sponsor side, we are talking about an even more important outreach opportunity. In addition to attracting larger budgets, these visibility opportunities will certainly create a lot of excitement from different companies who see a greater marketing potential.

Conclusion:

What is a hybrid event? It’s hard to beat a physical encounter when you’re organizing a conference or a seminar but a hybrid event can very well attract more people than your physical location can hold. Which means next time, you might be getting a higher number of people who will be attending the live event instead of just sitting in front of their computer. In that case people who could not attend might still want to travel to the physical location the next time.

Hybrid Event Software: What features should you look for?

The event industry is a sector that knows how to renew itself. Lately, the industry has been surprised by the democratization of virtual and hybrid events (be sure to read our article on this subject). As an event organizer, you also had to adapt to be able to answer your customers' requests, as before. No need to panic! Hybrid event software is there to help you.Their advantages are multiple and allow you to adapt to changes with ease.

There are some important features that your hybrid event software should have if you want your online event to be successful. These features will make sure that your attendees can follow their own agenda when they are participating.

Features that simplify the life of an event organizer

A good hybrid event software must be a tool that is easy and quick to use and that can be used by all team members, whether they are internal or external. If you use an agency to help you, for example, the external providers must also be able to handle the tool. Of course, it must offer features that simplify the life of the organizer.

For example, expertshare offers to increase productivity before and after the event. In particular, you can manage your teams by assigning roles and tasks to each one, which simplifies the management of the strategy. Multiple parameters are offered to manage the registration of participants, the check-in on the day or the engagement of the audience during the event. All the data collected is carefully kept for analysis at the end of the event.

Most Event Management Software has also adapted to the health crisis the world is currently facing (and Eventdrive is the first!). Some have added functionality through plugins or patches. Others, such as Eventdrive, have developed features within their tool itself. By doing so, this kind of platform really stands out by offering an all-in-one solution that fits perfectly with virtual events. But what are their advantages?

Vital features of Hybrid Event Software

Content Delivery

The most important part of your conference is the content since that is what the attendees are coming for. You want to engage your audience and that is why you should aim for a platform that allows you to use multiple sources of content whether it’s a live feed with speakers and vendors or pre-recorded videos. A good platform allows you to use and share any kind of content that you can imagine.

Live broadcast

Whether your event is 100% virtual, or also has a face-to-face component, EMS allows for live streaming. You can choose to stream the PowerPoint presentation that the presenter uses to support his or her remarks, or simply film the presentation.

There are several options available to you. The first and easiest is to let the speaker use his webcam and share his screen. If you have a little more money, you can also film the speaker and use the video feed to switch from the video to the presentation slides during the broadcast. For added convenience, you can also have one speaker do the talking and another person do the screen sharing during the presentation.

To be in line with your brand image, you can customize the interface of your virtual event and thus ensure a perfect participant experience in line with your brand image. The hidden purpose of your event is to showcase your brand, right? You can't do that on a simple video conferencing tool.

Branding

Of course, one of the features that should not be missing is a branding feature. You want your registration pages or your web app to be fully customizable with your own logo, your own corporate design etc. This way, your audience will feel safe and not like being taken to dozens of different websites.

Offer multi-session events

By using Hybrid Event Management Software, it is possible to offer multi-session events, as in a face-to-face event. When the participant registers, he can access a personalized agenda and select several sessions he would like to attend.

This kind of functionality does not exist on a classic video conference software and can be a real bonus for your project! It gives you the possibility to organize larger events, to call on several speakers, and even to reach a larger audience by offering different types of sessions.

Set up a chat

An important point when organizing a virtual event is to maintain a high level of engagement. Set up a virtual chat throughout the presentation to engage remote participants. You can let your presenter interact with remote participants at the same time as those on site, as if everyone was in the same room!

Organizing a virtual event should not make us forget one of the key elements of a successful event: a happy audience. By setting up a chat, you allow them to express themselves in real time and ask the questions they want in real time.

Broadcast a replay of your event

Even if the organization of a virtual event facilitates access for a large number of participants, some of them may be unable to watch the live broadcast. Your event may also have been so popular that your audience would like the opportunity to watch it again. This is possible with event management software.

As soon as the event is over, you can make your event available for replay on your event website. This can also be an opportunity to contact your participants after the event, to ask them for their feedback with a satisfaction survey, while providing them with the replay link.

Finally, as an organizer, having access to the images can also be beneficial and help you prepare a video that highlights only the best moments for example.

Personalized Schedules and Agendas

Your audience should always know where they can go. In this regard, personalized agendas are crucial for hybrid events. It might for example be needed that your in-person audience will participate in other breakout sessions than your virtual online audience.

Securing your data

Event management software takes the protection of your data to heart and provides maximum security. For example, access to the virtual conference can be protected by a password. An access code that is only held by the participants of the event, who have received a unique link to access it!

Some event management software goes even further. Sometimes, it is necessary to obtain prior authorization to install software on one's professional computer, which is not necessarily obvious.

Sponsorship and Virtual Booths

It’s not just the attendees that you need to cater to. Your sponsors and exhibitors might also want more than just an in-person booth. So what if they suddenly want a virtual booth as well? You need to make sure in advance that you know their special wishes. Otherwise, the whole organization of the event might turn into a nightmare.

Attendee Tracking

Knowing about the preferences of the attendees and what sessions they participated in can be very helpful. This way, you might find out what your prospective customers like best and you can create new products which will cater to their needs.

Attendee tracking for hybrid events is something that should not be an extra feature that will cost you an extra fee. Something that important should be included in the basic fee already. Combining this data with the option to send certain participants surveys or other kinds of messages, gives you an unfair advantage with regards to your upcoming marketing efforts.

Analytics and Reporting

Without any analytics and reporting, it will be very hard to determine how successful your event was. User tracking data and reports based on these metrics are vital.

expertshare, for example, offers tracking for the following reporting features:

• App users and adoption rates
• App user engagement (feed posts, booth scans, notes taken, shared contacts, etc.)
• Number of workspace agenda sessions
• App user devices and operating systems used to access the workspace
• Workspace documents and their sizes
• Live Chat and Social Media-Inspired Networking
• Networking is often a major reason people attend events, so it’s important to find a hybrid event platform that offers intuitive live chat and messaging features.

Most hybrid event software platforms basically copy social media sites because they simply work. So each attendee in this case, will get his own personal profile page. And then they can also comment, add friends, watch live-streams or on-demand content. These are all things that we have gotten used to.

Work with the right Hybrid Event Software Vendor

Organizing an event, whether it is face-to-face, virtual or hybrid, requires a lot of time, effort and energy. The role of a hybrid event software is above all to simplify your life. Take the time to review your expectations and you will easily find the EMS that meets all your needs! Whether it's the centralization of data or the automation of tasks, hybrid event management software allows organizers to save a lot of time.

You need a vendor that can accommodate your in-person and virtual needs. Our technology at expertshare for example can be used across the web and over an app. You want the experience for your audience to be a smooth and seamless one. Wherever and however they attend: If you’re ready to get started, feel free to contact us.

What are Hybrid events?

There is a mix of audience participation, but a sizable portion of your audience participates virtually. This could be a live session that is live-streamed to a larger audience, or it could be an exhibition where suppliers have a presence both online and offline. Hybrid events are, quite simply, a mix of live and virtual events.

Why do you need this?

If people want to interact in person, a hybrid event allows them to do so. A hybrid events platform allows people who would otherwise be unable to attend due to health concerns or travel constraints to participate virtually.

What tools do I need to run a Hybrid event?

You may be familiar with these tools depending on the nature of your event. However, each one of these tools addresses a critical aspect of your event and will ensure the success of your virtual event.

A platform for virtual events

Your new virtual location - where attendees will interact with your content, sponsors, and one another. The expertshare virtual events platform features a host of powerful tools to create a successful hybrid event.

Tool for networking and community building

Make combined events a reality by establishing valuable one-on-one connections.

Tools for live streaming

Your content (and how you present it) is your event; make sure you know which tool is best for you.

Tools for participant engagement

To keep attendees interested and engaged, include an element of fun and activity.

While the current surge in interest in hybrid events is due to travel restrictions and social distancing, people will continue to have varying desires for meeting in person, whether it is due to safety, schedule, or travel reasons.

Or perhaps they are willing to take part in your event but are not yet committed enough to take time off from work and book a flight. The brilliant thing about a hybrid event is that it allows you to create a specifically aimed experience for industry attendees who attend in person, as well as an interactive, appealing experience for everyone who is getting to know you.

A hybrid event, in essence, allows you to expand your attendee pipeline by providing a reduced effort and committed way for people to learn about — and take interest in — your organisation. For this purpose alone, our industry should take into account hybrid events as the future of events, not as a short term solution to a pandemic.

Implications for audio-visual

A hybrid event involves many audiovisual considerations. It is necessary to think about it according to the people in the room (background music, visual of the event, microphone of the animation...) but also according to the virtual platforms (transmit the sound in an interesting way for the people who attend the event from their home).

This is a big challenge of the hybrid event. It requires a lot of thought and discussion with professionals to ensure that the event is accessible, but most importantly, enjoyable for everyone. Being well prepared in advance can avoid technical disasters.

Current sitation with events

Since March 2020, we have seen many events go virtual. Trade shows, sporting events, concerts and other physical events have been interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some events have been transformed through digital. Others were postponed or cancelled.

But now that millions of people are vaccinated, companies are starting to see the light. In fact, Google and Facebook have just announced that their employees are returning to the office. 100% telework is not an option considered by these giants. That's why we can think that it will be the same for most companies.

In this way, new perspectives are underway to bring physical events back to the heart of communication strategies. As virtual events have gained a lot of ground in the event industry over the last year, a number of advantages and best practices have emerged.

With this in mind, marketers are now planning hybrid events for the future. In fact, Google has announced new approaches to working in the office. In particular a hybrid approach to work for more flexibility of its employees.

The objective of these hybrid events is to converge physical and virtual events. This practice is also called "phygital" events, which is a contraction of the words physical and digital. Hybrid events are therefore the new trend for the coming months and years.

Keeping the benefits of virtual events

So how can organizers keep the benefits of virtual events for their physical events? We present the trends of hybrid events as well as concrete examples. With a hybrid event, the benefits of digital experiences are combined with physical events.

More concretely, hybrid events include a physical presence at a venue and a live virtual presence. This fusion of experiences allows the audience, wherever they are, to participate, learn, interact and engage. For example, a television show can be considered a hybrid event. On one side, we have physical people on a TV set, on the other side viewers behind their screens.

Generally, this fusion of experience is made possible by the implementation of a digital event platform. These platforms are the new communication channels for corporate events. Your event relies on the internet and video streaming to broadcast your content to a more distant audience.

However, there is no set rule for what a hybrid format should be. These events are adapted to your audience and your objectives. Here are some of the advantages:

AN INTERNATIONAL SCOPE

It goes without saying, as we have seen with purely virtual events, that the Web presents an opportunity to go anywhere in the world. We are talking here about an audience that can be international, but this is also the case for the speakers. We can invite speakers or special guests to our hybrid event, without having to pay for airfare and accommodation.

CONVERT THE EVENT INTO WEB CONTENT

The hybrid formula makes it possible to record the event without having to make any additional efforts. The photos, videos (capsules or clips of the event - performances, animations...) and surveys can be directly transformed and used as content for the website, social networks, etc. Compared to a 100% face-to-face event, the entire event can be reused afterwards.

COLLECT CUSTOMER DATA

More and more companies are turning to "first party data," the in-house management of customer databases. Not only does the hybrid event allow for online audience data to be stored, but it also makes it easy to conduct surveys and collect information through the company's web platforms, which speeds up the collection of information for the company's database. This is also an aspect that can facilitate the sale of sponsorship: a concrete information base of people attending the event.

EVENT DYNAMISM

The hybrid event allows you to benefit from the dynamism of a face-to-face event: a crowd, people, applause, enthusiasm, and the excitement of the presenters, which can be felt even on the screen. This is an advantage to exploit.

AUDIENCE CHOICE

The public has the opportunity to choose between an on-site presence or a virtual presence. This option is well received by the guests who sometimes have personal obligations (children, complex schedule, appointments). The public can thus choose their involvement in the event according to their desires and practical preferences.

The challenges of hybrid events

We often hear that hybrid events are the best of both worlds. However, we must not forget the challenges and implications they bring.

BUDGETS

By splitting the event's audiences, one can necessarily expect to increase the budget. In addition to the cost of hosting people in the room (drinks, appetizers, furniture, service personnel...), you have to think about the technological aspect (equipment, technical assistance and support, webcasting platform...).

MANAGING TWO AUDIENCES

Another challenge is not to leave out one of the two audiences in the animation of the evening. The event must be made dynamic and relevant to all, and this throughout the event. Of course, entertaining an audience in front of a camera or on a stage is not the same as in person. You have to find a balance with techniques adapted to the reality of the hybrid event.

INTERACTION

For a hybrid event to be relevant, it must be interactive. It must include audience participation. Although this is sometimes easier in person, the wave of virtual events has recently shown us that it is just as possible in virtual (networking, surveys, public comments...). Now, the two audiences need to be brought together to ensure interaction between the two, in order to create a certain fusion and synergy. We can think of games, audience voting, some technological tools...

Why organize a hybrid event?

First, we explained why physical events are coming back soon. Then, what a hybrid event represents in the current context. Then, it is appropriate to first determine the advantages of digital events. Then, to see how these advantages can be combined with your physical events.

Here are the advantages of digital events:

• increase the audience of your event
• ensure greater networking for your participants
• collect feedback more easily
• generate leads
• provide unique experiences
• save money
• boost your participants' engagement
• reduce your ecological footprint
• measure your KPI's
• Enhance your sponsors

All these benefits have been observed in the last few months. Of course, virtual events cannot replace a physical event. Events are about bringing people together. The relationship is the strongest value of this business.

That's why these advantages will be combined with physical events. But how? We observe some limitations to physical events. We list them below. These limitations can be overcome by digital solutions:

• the space of receptive venues can be limited due to sanitary measures.
• the flexibility of telecommuting may prevent the gathering of all participants
• corporate budgets may be reduced
• many people may still be reluctant to travel and gather in groups
• logistical complexities can be a barrier to organizing events
• certain event profiles can taint a company's CSR
• the ROI of these events is more difficult to identify

Conclusion:

Leveraging the advantages of digital to build hybrid events will allow event organizers to properly maintain their event communication strategies. Communication is a way to make your event known. Prepare this communication at the time of the elaboration of your strategic objectives. The creation of content and defining its applications is a work of anticipation. The more anticipation you can build, the more successful your hybrid event will be.

A virtual online event enables you to have an event that takes place in virtual space. Virtual online events are an integral and important part of modern companies. Because they bring you a lot of advantages, such as additional sales, improvement of company culture, strengthening of team cohesion as well as customer conversion and retention. In this article you will learn what an online event is, what they bring you, what types of online events there are and how you can organize one.

What are online virtual events

Virtual events allow presence events to be held online. With the right software, participants can connect and communicate with each other. This means that they can see each other, talk, comment and share their screen with other participants. These online events can be easily attended from home, office or public places. For this, the participants only need a participant link, with which they can participate in the event.

The advantages of virtual online events

The advantages of virtual online events

In the era of digitalization, a large proportion of activities getting shifted to the internet. Companies in digital industries have long relied on online events because they want to take advantage of their added value. There are several key benefits associated with online events, which we will discuss below:

Unlimited reach: Online events do not require travel, and thus can be joined from anywhere in the world. This allows many participants to join international conferences/events. Participants require a good internet access and an internet enabled device. Especially for events in the international area, this easy access offers easier communication for companies.

Cheaper for organizers: In virtual events many costs, which are common in presence events, are omitted. Expenses such as finding and booking the right location, travel of speakers or special guests, accommodation and catering services are no longer additional costs for companies.

Cost-saving for guests: Digital events are also cheaper for participants. This is because they enable them to avoid having to book flights, train tickets or hotel rooms. Guests can invest this travel time in other ways, such as a longer event. In addition, the costs for virtual events are usually cheaper, due to lower fixed costs for the organizers.

Individual design: Thanks to different backgrounds in the software, the appropriate atmosphere can be created. This allows the presentation to be designed in an attractive environment. Thus, organizers can present their online events in a pleasant atmosphere that makes the customer feel comfortable during the event. The advantage of this is that it leaves a lasting impression of the event on the participants.

Flexible organization: Locations have to be booked well in advance in order to organize a presence event. Virtual events do not need such circumstances. The only thing guests require is a free period of time in which they can join the event. These times can be set a few months in advance or a few hours before the event if it is a more short term event.

Security in pandemic times: The ability to host online events allow companies to count on security. They protect their company from having to cancel the event at short notice and having to pay for all costs because participants cannot join the event.

The different types of online events

With the help of new software and further developed tools as well as new ones, almost any type of event can be moved to the digital space. The most used formats of online events are:

Online meetings

The simplest and most well-known type of digital event is the meeting. For many employees in the home office and remote teams, video calls are already standard in many companies. Mostly in these meetings, small groups discuss various topics and talk about their current challenges.

Digital workshops & training courses

Online workshops, webinars and training courses have been an alternative to in-person offers for years. The flexibility of location and time is what makes this format so popular. With digital workshops, companies are as flexible as possible, as they can be offered at any time and anywhere. These advantages can be put to good use if certain knowledge on a certain topic has to be conveyed to employees on a regular basis.

Virtual team building events

Team building relies on the shared experience. To cope with tasks in a team, to compete with each other or to get to know each other from the private side in a relaxed atmosphere. This can, but does not have to, happen in person. Thanks to virtual experiences, these can easily take place online.

Online conferences

In online conferences, there is a fixed schedule in which different speakers give lectures or workshops on different topics. With the help of video calls and presentations, conferences can easily take place purely digitally.

Virtual fairs

Trade fairs are an important part of branding for companies. An impressive presentation communicates tangible information in a closer relationship, directly with the customer. This exchange enables new business contacts to arise between companies or company customers.

What is needed for a virtual online event

The requirements for online events are fundamentally different from present events. Here the focus is more on what it takes to host an online event in which participants can join. The main points for this are:

Functioning Internet

The basic requirement to run online events, but also to participate in them, is an Internet connection that ensures a trouble-free transmission of images and sound.

Hardware

In addition to a laptop and monitors, good video equipment such as good cameras and professional microphones are an important component. Especially for formal events or conferences and workshops on a larger scale, this is indispensable. The demands on the streaming equipment depend on the presenting format and the target group of the event.

Software/Tool

Depending on the event format, the appropriate software must be used for the event. It is essential that the software meets all the requirements of the event. For example, if different participants are to present or if the group is to be divided into different smaller groups, the software must be individually adaptable. For every event need, there are solutions that the right provider can provide.

The differences between presence event and virtual online event

The differences between presence event and virtual online event

The similarities between an online virtual event and a live event can be clearly seen in a few points. The most important of these are:

• Virtual online events can be flexible and independent of location. In this way, participants from other cities or countries can visit the event without much effort and without additional costs for travel and accommodation. Live events, on the other hand, are always location-specific and less flexible for participants and companies to plan.

• The costs of virtual online events are much cheaper because everything takes place via one software. In the case of physical events, there are still typical event costs such as renting premises, catering, and security personnel. The costs for the event technology are also much higher in most cases.

• In virtual online events, there is not so much focus on networking. Although technology makes it very easy to connect with new people from all over the world, this aspect is not used very often. The software makes it easy to create 1 to 1 rooms where new potential business partners or customers can meet. So far, there has been more networking with new people at live events.

Marketing an online event is one of the most important parts of planning an online event. There are several ways to use marketing to attract new customers to an event. Marketing should put the customer first and look at how best to reach them. Learn in this article how to successfully market your virtual event to see your existing and new customers in your next event.

What is a virtual event?

Virtual events are local events that no longer take place on site but online. The process of these can always be different. They can be events like online webinars about a certain topic your participants want to learn more about, online meetings with business partners or colleagues or business presentations of a new product to network with potential customers. They help you communicate with new people without being tied to one place. Recommended article: What are Online Events?

How to market a virtual event:

Just like live events, your virtual event needs to be promoted to make it successful. The goal of marketing is to make sure that every one of your desired attendees knows that your event is coming up. You want them to know the benefits of your event so that they are excited and don’t want to wait for your event. Proper marketing helps you do just that. There is not only one way to market an event. However, all ways give information to the interested parties. They are mostly: • Why they should attend your event • What type of event you are planning • Who will be at the event • When you plan it • What happens at the event • How they can participate To make your next event planning easier, we’ve written for you the 5 best ways to successfully market your Virtual Event. They are divided into:

1. Planning: Use the time to your advantage

Your event should be announced as early as possible to all attendees. Once you have an exact or approximate time for your event, it should be given directly to the interested parties. This will give them plenty of time to prepare for the event early on and allow them to keep the time frame free for your event.  If your event is going to run for a longer period of time, like one to several weeks, then it should be actively promoted long before the event. However, if your event will take place over a shorter period of time and your participants have the flexibility to commit to your event, then it can be promoted at shorter notice. Most events are promoted very strongly about 4-6 weeks before they start. Especially shortly before the event start, a lot of time should be put into the sales process.

2. Social media: Attract new participants

Advertising via social media brings many advantages. Channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+, and YouTube are very suitable for this. Before marketing, it is important to know which channel is best to use to promote your event. To do this, you should figure out where your desired audience for the event is best to reach. This is because each social media channel has different types of users whose interests are different. So it’s not the type of event that should determine which social media channel you promote on. It’s the audience you want to join your event. To do this, find out which channels they are most engaged on. Feel free to ask your best existing customers which platform they feel comfortable on to attract like customers. Once you figure out where your target audience is most, start promoting right there. Here are a few tips for successfully promoting via social media:

• Your event should be re-announced regularly on social media platforms. The promotion should be varied, exciting and helpful for the reader.
• Create an editorial plan with content you want to publish. Keep a good overview and create a good mix of different content.
• Give insights into what your event will look like with material such as videos, live videos and pictures. This is the best way for your attendees to get a glimpse of your upcoming event.
• Use sweepstakes to generate more reach for your event and ultimately attract more attendees.
• Work with relevant people and bloggers who are active in the same industry.
• Use testimonials from past experience. Social proof is one of the most powerful forms of marketing that builds a lot of trust with prospects.

Recommended article: How to promote a virtual event on social media

3. Email marketing: Your personal salesperson

Email is one of the best ways to speak directly to your customer. Unlike anything else online, email is one of the most personal ways to talk to your customer. Plus, you’re reaching people who have already come into contact with you in some way. The chances that these people will be interested in your event or product are high. If you have your own website, you may already be generating email contacts and have an existing list. Through this you can promote your event with good images and useful texts. It is important that you write your emails correctly. The text is the heart of your email. Also use an event newsletter and update it regularly. In this you can also organize a competition to increase engagement. Use your creativity here and arouse the interest of your customers.

4. Landing page: Everything your customer needs

To present your online event in the right way, you can use your own landing page, where interested participants get all the important data. It helps searchers to get all the information about your event as detailed as necessary, so that the interested party has no more questions and buys his ticket. Your landing page does not have to be fancy or particularly beautiful.  However, it should answer all the W-questions that the reader might ask about your event. These can be for example:  • Why should the attendee attend your event? • Who are the speakers at the event? • What does he or she get out of attending your event? • How will the event take place? Also, a FAQ section where your potential attendees can find answers to the most frequently asked questions will help you sell more tickets.

5. Partner: Leverage the network of others

Any type of event is a great networking opportunity. This starts long before the actual event. To better get the word out about your event and invite more attendees, you can work with partners in your industry. For this it is important that you work with people who have the same target group as you and whose cooperation harmonizes. Good ways to do this are to work with people who have already built trust with your desired participants. They can help you attract more attendees to your events with the help of advertising. Together, you can promote your event to your community. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, you can do email marketing together using a newsletter, advertise on websites or social media, and run ads together. You can also involve event sponsors in your event communications. As well as use the participants of your event such as speakers,lecturers to contributors such as actors and artists. Use everyone involved as advertising so you don’t miss out on any coverage here and you can make sure everyone knows about your event.  There are no limits to your creativity when it comes to marketing your event.

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There is a wide range of virtual networking ideas that companies can choose from. It is important to select an idea that fits well with the attendees, so that they feel comfortable and actively engaged during the event. In this article you will learn what is virtual networking, benefits that virtual networking brings you, what is significant in virtual networking events, the right introduction of virtual networking ideas, and 4 virtual networking ideas you can easily adopt.

What is virtual networking

The process of forming a mutually advantageous relationship with other people, future clients or consumers during a virtual event is known as virtual networking. The intangible benefits of engaging with other experts in or related to your field are known as virtual networking benefits.

Networking activities often produce the best outcomes. There are numerous other benefits to networking, the most significant of which is the opportunity to share expertise.

Virtual networking is no exception. It is done on a virtual networking platform, like expertshare, where attendees can connect with other like-minded people virtually.

Benefits of virtual networking

To reap the benefits of a virtual network, you must first understand what business networking benefits you can obtain and how they can assist your company in increasing sales, increasing efficiency and morale, and increasing brand awareness.

Virtual networks offer companies a variety of benefits to have a positive impact on their businesses, employees, as well as business partners. It also makes it easy to build relationships with new people globally. Additionally, you can strengthen the already existing relationships between business partners and colleagues.

Thus, virtual networking helps to:

• Build mutually beneficial relationships with like-minded people
• Maintain contact with existing business partners and colleagues
• Communicate with people who share your interests
• Establish contact with new business partners
• Collect additional information and viewpoints
• Strengthen employee loyalty and morale
• Assist in the sales of products
• Increase Brand awareness

What is significant in virtual networking?

Purposeful virtual networking has many benefits. It brings individuals and companies together, allowing for effective collaborations and breakthroughs. However, not all networking events are successful. Understanding your potential attendees and using engaging networking event ideas to organize and execute the entire event is essential to hosting an interesting virtual event.

Moreover, if you’re not cautious, these virtual events can deteriorate into boring, one-way lectures, with lots of attendees nodding off or scanning their phones! Without prompts to encourage attendees to mix, they may wind up keeping in their own social bubble, chatting with people they already know.

The right introduction of virtual networking ideas

What is important in virtual networking is to provide a space where your attendees feel comfortable. To be successful, event planners must think of new ways to make such gatherings as engaging, entertaining, and fruitful as possible. Therefore, each attendee should always have the opportunity and motivation to actively participate in the event.

Before the virtual or hybrid event, you should decide what you want to achieve with the event. The question of what impression you want your event to leave on your attendees is essential because it will help you to strengthen your relationship or the relationship of your attendees with each other, and thus strengthen the cooperation to achieve your goals.

Event planners should also convey what essential features will be available and provide instructions ahead of time as a best practice. Attendees will be able to acquaint themselves with the platform ahead of time, and fully utilize the features that will assist them in achieving their event objectives.

Read also: How to host a virtual networking event

4 Virtual Networking Ideas

Here are 5 simple virtual networking ideas that are easy to replicate on expertshare, and can be hosted without the need for any additional equipment:

1. Personal 1:1 chats or video calls

One-to-one conversations can be more meaningful as it helps you connect more deeply than when you are in a group. For example, attendees can be randomly paired and have five minutes to exchange ideas. After that, they are randomly paired again, and are given five minutes again. To give the conversations more fire, the time can be reduced with each conversation. The second one could be four minutes, then three minutes, and so on. In this way, the time adds momentum and more liveliness.

It is best to start these one-on-one conversations with guiding questions to break the ice at the beginning and have a specific intention for the conversation. You can base these leading questions on what the goal of the event is. They can be personal questions, for example, to improve the relationship with each other, or business questions to find new innovations for the company.

Another example is that attendees can choose who they want to connect with and make this connection spontaneously.

2. AI powered matchmaking for targeted connections

Virtual events are designed to deliver a specific message, interact with potential attendees, expand connections, improve engagement, and generate more leads and income. It’s not easy to sift through hundreds or thousands of individuals at an event to find the ideal prospect with whom to continue interacting.

AI matchmaking aids in the discovery of the most appropriate attendees for the user’s interests at the event, allowing them to communicate with them further. It also saves time by identifying the most relevant matches and facilitates networking through virtual gatherings. Attendees can then hold real-time conversations and communicate with appropriate attendees using the chat or video features mentioned above.

Knowing your attendees’ interests and objectives before the event can be incredibly beneficial to you as an event organizer. And this is exactly what the targeted connections technique does. Prior to the event, you send out a brief survey to each of your attendees. Questions on the form can help you learn more about their background, interests, and why they are attending the event.

You can then use those responses to match them with potential attendees, using AI powered matchmaking, then send them this customized list of 8 to 10 persons. This method is especially useful if your attendees are pressed for time, and you have a long list of attendees.

3. Virtual roundtable

Roundtables are created by separating guests into groups of five or six in different virtual breakout rooms. These gatherings are a great method to get people to communicate, brainstorm, and work with one another. It allows users to meet multiple people at once, minimizing the need to divulge personal information on a one-on-one basis.

A successful roundtable, therefore, needs careful organization in terms of who to group with whom. It also needs an engaging moderator who continues to provide intriguing cues and questions for each virtual table to use to get to know one another better.

4. Gamification

The process of incorporating game aspects into non-game situations, such as virtual events, is known as gamification. Games are a great approach to educate and engage attendees, at the same time encouraging them to feel like they’re part of a wider community while also earning prizes and badges.

In virtual event contexts, maintaining engagement is an ongoing problem. It’s much easier to zone out when attendees aren’t physically present. Plus, distractions in our homes and the constant urge to check social media notifications make staying focused and attentive much more difficult.

If you’re going to gamify, make sure you have a plan and a strategy in place. If you want to enhance attendee engagement during sessions, for example, gamification components like in-session polling, and trivia questions could be useful.

In order for your virtual event gamification to be successful, attendees must grasp the rules and awards in order to be motivated to participate. Create curiosity in the build up to the virtual event, explain how it works and how participation will be rewarded. To encourage attendees to participate, make it obvious what they will gain or lose by doing so. (This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with sponsors for prizes if appropriate.)

Make sure your speakers and presenters are engaged as well. Integrate scavenger hunt clues and trivia questions into their presentations, and they’ll be paying attention more than ever before.

Leaderboards should be a part of your event gamification plan. Automated leaderboards, or at least sporadic updates on the top leaders during a live event, can promote competition by letting attendees know where they are in relation to other participants.

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Best LMS for Healthcare

A learning management system for healthcare is useless if it fails to provide your healthcare organization the adaptability it needs to train employees for the post-pandemic era. The problem with most healthcare LMS is that they offer generic answers to the unique challenges you face as a forward-thinking organization.

Contrariwise, the most effective learning management systems for healthcare are flexible enough to meet your changing requirements. Also, it should be a platform that humanizes digital processes through live and interactive events in online education. It needs to be a hybrid or cross-platform application that is as user-friendly as a conventional classroom.

Expertshare, the industry-leading LMS for healthcare, now provides an innovative hybrid solution to help you transform your organization’s operations and staff training without sacrificing the patient quality of care. With this system, your team will be empowered to build modules for the medical staff without disrupting their workflow. Expertshare’s versatility boosts users’ knowledge and output equally. Request a demo to see how we can help your organization.

Expertshare Healthcare LMS Solutions

Since its inception, Expertshare has grown to become the industry-standard healthcare LMS. The platform’s most valuable features are the software’s accessibility and ease of use. You don’t have to understand the underlying technical ideas and methods to use Expertshare in your company.

Using this service, healthcare business owners can provide their staff with regular training sessions, certification, and ongoing education. This is necessary to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies and business practices while complying with new regulations in the healthcare industry.

Expertshare, in a nutshell, serves as a condensed training program for all of your healthcare workers and educators. Like a traditional educational setting, it begins with a theoretical review of the course material, followed by exercises designed to put that material into practice. The e-learning platform also includes a testing component.

The leading healthcare LMS follows a similar concept, making a learning platform readily available and user-friendly to anybody with interest. Using the best LMS for healthcare for training purposes improves performance in the long run while providing a comprehensive solution for e-learning in healthcare. You need to fully understand what sets Expertshare apart from other learning management systems for healthcare and how its unique features compensate for the flaws of others.

How Expertshare Transforms Healthcare Innovation

Many innovations have been made in the recent decade to improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Telemedicine System is a one-of-a-kind robot that helps those who aren’t getting the attention they need during their visits by keeping track of their medical records and vitals. The MelaFind optical scanner is one example of a recent advancement that aids doctors in making the call to do invasive biopsies.

These are only two of the dozens of new technologies appearing daily in the medical field. Your healthcare providers will not be able to provide top-notch treatment to their patients unless they are adequately trained to use these innovative new tools. The problem is that their daily schedules are always busy, leaving them little time to learn about these new developments elsewhere.

Expertshare, as the best LMS for healthcare, can aid in instructing your medical staff on the proper use of cutting-edge in-house technology. Your medical team will be able to continually improve their skills without having to waste time away from the office.

Healthcare businesses like yours value employee education because it helps them provide better patient care, adapt to organizational changes, and meet patients’ expectations. You understand that the entire organization benefits when employees take healthcare courses on the Expertshare learning management system for healthcare.

Expertshare Unique Features and Benefits

What sets Expertshare Apart as the Best Healthcare LMS?

Expertshare’s functionality is the total of the capabilities that have made it the go-to e-learning platform in the healthcare sector. Here we’ll go over the fundamentals of the Expertshare LMS:

Partner with Expertshare, the best LMS for Healthcare

In the healthcare industry, the consequences of insufficient training could be catastrophic. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to develop and manage healthcare learning and training programs and fulfill your organization’s needs with the best healthcare learning management system, such as Expertshare, in your arsenal. Increased employee engagement, capacity, and contentment will positively affect the efficiency and operation of your healthcare establishment. Unlike other healthcare learning management system platforms, Expertshare prioritizes efficiency informed by adequate and incremental education.

Care to learn how the Expertshare hospital learning management system can help you grow your staff capacity?

Request a demo now!

Healthcare Training Solutions

The only thing that remains constant in a world where everything else changes so rapidly is the need to keep learning new things. Like many others, your company requires digital solutions to stay up-to-date with the ever-increasing volume of available information, technologies, and methodologies. This is a growing concern in the healthcare industry, and expertshare is the Digital Healthcare Solution your company needs to boost your productivity and increase your return on investment.

The healthcare industry requires ongoing employee training. As healthcare practices and technologies evolve, so does the industry. Also, the regulatory requirements in many countries stipulate training requirements for healthcare practitioners to undergo and complete at regular periods to maintain their status as practicing healthcare professionals.

There has been a lot of progress in medical science recently, but to put these new techniques into practice, doctors and other healthcare workers need regular training. Ignoring the need to invest in the ongoing education of your healthcare staff could have devastating consequences for both your patients and your business which prioritizes professionalism. Your organization can use the expertshare digital health innovation for more than just internal training purposes. You can also use it to educate patients in markets where this is permitted by local laws and regulatory requirements, and to organize public health awareness and training initiatives.

The rising popularity of expertshare as a Healthcare Training Solutions

Doctors and other medical staff must maintain a tight schedule due to the high volume of patients visiting hospitals and healthcare facilities like yours. Because of this, it is challenging for them to make time during these busy hours for training, especially in conventional classroom settings. expertshare offers convenient digital solutions in healthcare to the learning barrier facing your medical practitioners.

Using expertshare healthcare digital e-learning solutions, your medical professionals and other personnel can enroll in courses and training that can be completed at their own pace, from anywhere, at any time, using any digital device. The expertshare digital healthcare Swiss innovation has emerged as the go-to platform for modern healthcare organizations to record and publish educational materials for medical staff while creating a community of like-minded professionals who exchange ideas and knowledge.

expertshare offers the best Learning Management System, which caters to the e-learning needs of the healthcare sector. This aids in the effective education and growth of medical personnel, which, in turn, benefits their patients.

Why expertshare Healthcare Training Solutions?

• Data architecture: The data architecture of expertshare Healthcare Training Solutions is suitable for regulated enterprises and industries like healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
• Security: Different regulations exist to protect confidentiality depending on your jurisdiction. expertshare healthcare digital solutions guarantee the best protection and compliance with these regulations.
• Hybrid platform: expertshare digital healthcare solution is the only hybrid LMS that combines virtual e-learning and live events in one platform to promote rounded training of your healthcare professionals.
• Interactive platform: expertshare digital healthcare training solution facilitates different interaction modes among the users. You can conduct live voting, take questions, and users can make comments, create groups and follow each other on its social wall.
• Community building: As social creatures, our tendency is to find power in numbers. In today’s world of post pandemic, one of the lessons learnt is that community is essential to our general welfare. As mental health difficulties increase, so does the need to feel a sense of connectedness. With expertshare, you can organically form a community and build on the strengths of your company.
• Fully dynamic code: The expertshare healthcare training solutions allows you to personalize its appearance with your corporate branding.
• Customizable: The expertshare healthcare training solution is not a one-size-fits-all platform. You can customize it to suit your needs.
• Multi-language and multi-time zone functionality: This versatility makes the expertshare suitable for your healthcare facility regardless of your jurisdiction’s official language and time zone.
• 3D modeling: expertshare digital health innovations allow you to create 3D models of virtual event locations for your employees.

Benefits of Expertshare as a Healthcare Training Solution

The benefits of the virtual event which the expertshare digital solution offers can grow your organization’s performance by building your healthcare employees’ competence and educating your patients.

Benefits for healthcare professionals and caregivers

The education and preparation of your staff as healthcare professionals are reflected in the treatment you provide to patients. Your team can learn new skills and refresh their knowledge of intricate medical procedures with the help of expertshare. With a collection of training modules, your medical staff can improve their competence on.demand. expertshare is helpful for companies like yours when certification and Continuous Professional Development requirements demand training and retraining employees on the latest healthcare sector developments.

It’s not just that resources are readily available at the click of a mouse, how information is organized and disseminated makes expertshare a superior healthcare training solution to more conventional teaching techniques. It allows students to select their preferred learning style, like video lectures, documents, podcasts, or a combination. The medical professionals in your workforce can become more skilled with the help of expertshare’s innovative training methods.

Also, medical scenarios, such as surgical problems, can be recreated using VR and AR tools with the help of expertshare healthcare innovation solutions. The ability to put students through challenging medical procedures without endangering any patients boosts their self-assurance. Using these methods also helps them remember information better. As a result, you’ll have healthcare professionals who are both capable and confident in their ability to treat your patients.

Doctors and nurses have unusual working hours and incredibly full schedules, which makes it difficult for them to learn. Also, your healthcare professionals may work wildly different shifts from one another, making it challenging to plan a single, centralized in-person training session that works for everyone.

However, the digital healthcare solution offered by expertshare can deal with all these problems. Each HCP can learn at his/her own pace and on their schedule. Also, this setup of the expertshare digital solution enables your healthcare workers to address any individual knowledge gaps rather than enrolling in a comprehensive course that will likely repeat information they already know which is costly and inefficient. Your workforce is much more likely to complete training when the expertshare healthcare training solution allows learners to set their own pace.

Considering that theoretical study alone is insufficient, blended learning is integral to the expertshare healthcare training solutions. The goal is to provide in-person training with supplementary resources, including case studies, notes, video recordings, live events, and more that are accessible online. By combining these approaches, you can give your medical team a more rounded education than was previously possible.

The practice of medicine is heavily regulated. It might be daunting to keep up with the ever-increasing list of rules, regulations, and policies your employees must follow. In addition, it can be challenging for medical organizations like yours to monitor who among its staff has completed mandatory compliance training and who has not.

To ease administrative stress, consider using centralized healthcare innovation solutions like expertshare to monitor and keep tabs on compliance training. expertshare digital innovation in healthcare makes it easy to alert all relevant professionals to the availability and urgency of recently released compliance education. It enables your healthcare professionals to enroll in the course whenever convenient. In addition, your admin can monitor which employees are complying and send reminders to those who are not.

The rapid development in medical science is remarkable; your company can never be too modern. There is usually room for technical advancement and a greater demand for education. New research always uncovers better practices you have to adopt. A piece of new surgical equipment that simplify previously challenging procedures may get introduced. Also, studies may reveal unknown advantages of standard procedures. The list is endless.

Therefore, your healthcare providers must train regularly, including doctors, nurses, and others. Professionals in fields where keeping up with the latest research and advancements is essential yet time-consuming, requiring innovative digital solutions like expertshare to make it happen. How quickly hospitals implement these changes may be the difference between life and death for many patients.

Healthcare digital training solutions like expertshare make it easy to change courses, guides, and other instructional resources. You can also provide abridged versions of the updates so HCPs can quickly see what’s new. Because of expertshare’s Healthcare Training Solution, your staff will always have access to the most up-to-date data, allowing them to do their jobs more effectively than ever.

With everything in one location, it’s much simpler for your admin and course instructors to update course materials with the most recent versions as they become available.

With the expertshare’s built-in reporting features, healthcare companies like yours can track your staff’s progress in training and education, plus see what courses are more popular or not. In other words, you’ll be able to monitor the development of your medical professionals and steer them toward fulfilling careers.

You can examine their grades, attendance records, and time sheets to ensure they are up to par with the requirements of your organization. The expertshare Healthcare Training Solution’s reporting tools that help you keep track of your healthcare workers’ credentials and Continuous Professional Development in case of a regulatory or government agency’s audit.

To train your healthcare staff in the past, you had to send them to conferences or bring in healthcare specialists from all over the world to teach classes at your facility. The time and energy spent preparing for the trip and paying for the necessary equipment and lodgings are always substantial.

Your staff can take most of these lessons in a digital format thanks to the expertshare digital healthcare innovation. Instead of taking time away from their busy schedules to travel to conferences, your staff members can train in online virtual events and still gain valuable knowledge about the most cutting-edge technologies and innovations in healthcare. You also won’t have to pay the fees associated with physical training sessions. To save time and effort, you can recycle previously created training and webinar content instead of starting from scratch every few months. The cost-saving feature of the expertshare Healthcare Training Solution frees up your capital for more pressing priorities.

Get your Healthcare Training Solutions with expertshare

Access to a specialized online learning platform that meets your healthcare professionals’ unique requirements can profoundly affect their career growth. expertshare has taken a giant stride in this aspect as it allows you to combine in-person instruction with digital resources easily. Your healthcare personnel will be better able to provide better care for your patients due to their increased knowledge of compliance-related issues made possible by this platform.

expertshare does more than only help you comply with rules and monitor employee training. It also boosts your organization’s branding and credibility in the eyes of patients/clients. With the help of expertshare, medical facilities like yours can get Healthcare Training Solutions adapted to your specific requirements.

Care to know more about the expertshare platform? Feel free to request a demo.

Best e learning platforms

This article is for you if:

• You’re looking for the best e learning platform which fits your needs and fulfils your type of learning.
• You currently use normal online tools like teams, but you realize you need to switch to one that is more reliable, scalable and richer in features.

How does E-learning Platforms starts

In today’s digital age, education has transcended traditional boundaries and classrooms, thanks to the rapid advancement of technology. E-Learning platforms have emerged as a beacon of flexible and accessible education, offering a wide range of courses to learners worldwide.

Whether you’re a student looking to enhance your knowledge or a professional aiming to upskill, these top five e-learning platforms are here to revolutionize the way you learn.

Which are now the Top 5 E-Learning Platforms, and why?

1. Udemy: Udemy is synonymous with variety. Boasting a vast marketplace of over 130,000 courses, Udemy empowers both learners and educators to create and access content on a plethora of subjects. Whether you’re looking to delve into web development, photography, marketing, or even mindfulness, you’re bound to find a course that piques your interest. Udemy’s affordability and lifetime access to courses make it an excellent choice for self-paced learning.
2. Expertshare: In the ever-evolving landscape of online education, one platform has managed to carve a niche that sets it apart – Expertshare. This innovative platform offers a unique approach to e-learning by directly connecting knowledge seekers with industry experts. By providing a space for these experts to share their insights, Expertshare creates an unparalleled learning experience that goes beyond traditional course offerings. Expertshare have one of the best suppports an are able to specifically set up or change the e learning software on the needs of their customers.
3. Coursera: Coursera stands as a pioneer in the e-learning arena, offering courses from prestigious universities and institutions across the globe. With an impressive library of over 5,000 courses spanning diverse fields, learners can explore anything from computer science and data analysis to humanities and social sciences. Coursera’s specialization tracks provide in-depth knowledge, while its user-friendly interface and interactive assessments make learning engaging and enjoyable.
4. edX: Collaboratively founded by MIT and Harvard University, edX is a non-profit platform that offers university-level courses on an array of subjects. Known for its quality and rigor, edX hosts courses from renowned institutions globally. Learners can choose from individual courses or pursue comprehensive MicroMasters and Professional Certificate programs. edX’s commitment to academic excellence and its strong focus on verified certificates add credibility to learners’ accomplishments.
5. Khan Academy: Khan Academy has revolutionized education by offering a personalized learning experience, primarily focused on K-12 subjects. Founded with a mission to provide free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere, Khan Academy offers interactive exercises, instructional videos, and personalized dashboards to track progress. It’s an ideal platform for students seeking additional support or those looking to explore new subjects outside of their regular curriculum.

Why are E-learning platforms more important than ever before

E-Learning platforms have ushered in a new era of education, democratizing access to knowledge and fostering continuous learning. The top five platforms— Udemy, Expertshare, Coursera, edX and Khan Academy—stand as beacons of innovation, catering to learners of all ages and backgrounds.

Whether you’re aiming to acquire new skills, pursue higher education, or enhance your professional journey, these platforms offer a plethora of opportunities to quench your thirst for knowledge. Embrace the digital learning revolution and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. Your next learning adventure is just a click away!

Expertshare as the Best E-learning platform for specific needs

Empowering Learners with Unfiltered Wisdom: Expertshare’s standout feature is its emphasis on authentic, unfiltered knowledge-sharing. While traditional e-learning platforms rely on curated courses, Expertshare lets experts share their wisdom through various mediums such as live webinars, Q&A sessions, and recorded talks.

Learners benefit from a direct line to industry titans, gaining real-world insights and practical advice that go beyond what textbooks can offer.

Diverse Range of Industries: Whether you’re interested in medical section, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, fashion design, or sustainable agriculture, Expertshare covers a wide spectrum of industries. This diversity of subject matter ensures that learners have access to thought leaders and pioneers across various fields. By catering to niche interests, Expertshare truly democratizes learning, allowing enthusiasts to immerse themselves in topics that resonate with their passions.

Interactive Learning Experiences: Expertshare takes interactivity to the next level. Learners don’t just passively consume content; they actively engage with experts in dynamic ways. Live sessions enable real-time interaction, allowing learners to ask questions, seek clarification, and receive personalized guidance. This level of engagement fosters a sense of community and mentorship, enhancing the overall learning journey.

Real-World Applications: The insights shared on Expertshare aren’t just theoretical; they’re rooted in real-world experiences. Experts draw from their successes and failures, providing learners with invaluable insights into industry trends, challenges, and innovative solutions. This practical knowledge equips learners with the tools they need to navigate their chosen field with confidence.

Tailored Learning Paths: Expertshare understands that every learner’s journey is unique. The platform allows users to curate their own learning paths by selecting sessions and topics that align with their goals. Whether you’re a beginner looking for introductory sessions or an experienced professional seeking advanced insights, Expertshare tailors the learning experience to your individual needs. Request a demo of expertshare.

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