While many organizations have successfully made the shift to virtual events, there's one challenge to them that's proven difficult to overcome: virtual events are typically — just by nature alone — less interactive than in-person events
But that’s not to say they can’t still be interactive! There are many tactics and activities you can incorporate to better engage your online audience.
Here are just a few ideas…
Ironically, event professionals are an industry that is changing and an industry that never seems to change. Like many black swan events, there are often long-term changes to the way businesses operate and consumers act. According to a recent McKinsey and Company study, 90% of executives said they expect the fallout from COVID-19 to fundamentally change the way they do business over the next five years. Those same executives also reported that the pandemic would have a lasting impact on their customer’s needs and 75% said the crisis would create new growth opportunities. Could online event communities be the answer?
For a few short weeks in 2020, the world seemed to slow. As we’ve progressed to nearly the end of the pandemic, it looks like it has begun to speed up even faster than our pre-COVID lives once again. We have all adjusted, from the way we shop to the way we work, much of it “just in time” or with greater flexibility. Who would have thought that airlines would drop their $200 change fees?
Much like Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) had to prove to his sports star, Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding) in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, exhibit and sponsorship managers are having to show their organizations (and their clients – exhibitors and sponsors) the “money” or value in a virtual world.
Personify, the leading provider of constituent management software, commissioned research in December 2020 of nearly 1,000 association members and staff about their preferences for digital engagement along with challenges and opportunities that have arisen over the past year with virtual events.
It’s March again, which means it’s officially been one year since COVID arose and changed life as we knew it. That’s right, it’s been twelve whole months of social distancing and staying home — twelve months! We’ll be the first to say this past year has felt like a blur. Living in a constant state of uncertainty is tiring, and it’s more than ok to admit that it was (and still is) a lot to handle at times!
While it feels as if we should all be well-versed in virtual events by now, the reality is, if you were mostly hosting in-person events pre-COVID, switching to virtual can be a challenge. We'll be the first to say it: It's a big adjustment! And even though we’re one year into this doesn’t mean you’re a pro: many people are just now holding events virtually that they cancelled in-person last year.
When leveraging your event email marketing strategy, there are five types of emails worth sending to maximize your event’s potential and create a proper channel of communication. Think of each email as an opportunity to promote your event, even when attendees are already confirmed. This strategy will provide value for your audience, create trust with your organization, and keep your event top-of-mind.
Read below for the what, why, who, and when for each type of email, as well as a few tips to make the most of each email opportunity:
The following blog post was written by Rich Vallaster, Director of Client Relations & Support at Personify, the leading provider of constituent management software helping associations, nonprofits, and health and wellness organizations of all sizes.
With the tumultuous start of 2021, a slower than expected roll-out of vaccines, and some events staging in-person while other high-profile events cancel or declare they will be virtual well into Q2, event professionals are left wondering, what’s next?
Keeping within a budget is probably one of the top stressors for most event planners. There’s a lot to consider: venue, entertainment, transportation, food and drink, etc. So, how do you save where you can?
Don’t worry! We’ve outlined four guidelines to follow when planning your next event to help you organize your thoughts on where you can and can’t save: