Anyone can get attendees on a virtual meeting, but it takes a lot to get people to actually put down their phone, ignore their email, and tune in.
Raise the bar on your virtual meetings with these five ideas:
1. Give attendees something exclusive. Integrate immersive and intimate experiences that make attendees feel privileged. How about taking clients on a 360-degree tour of the factory floor, offering small-group conversations with the CEO, or having a Q&A with the artist who designed the newest company product? You’re only limited by your imagination.
2. Keep the pacing lively. Tell strong stories, embrace visual storytelling, ask questions, conduct polls—use every technique you can think of to vary your delivery and keep the pacing fast and forward-moving.
3. Hire on-air talent. Invest in a professional emcee to guide viewers through the virtual experience. They add energy, help with pacing, and know how to think on their feet when things go wrong.
4. Engage your event sponsors. Ask sponsors to produce 30-second commercials for the event that explain why they choose to support your organization. They will help transition between program elements and give your sponsors valuable face time with participants.
5. Think like an audience member. Design your experience with your guests’ point of view in mind. If you would find something dull, they definitely will too. Be merciless and cut anything you don’t think is working. Always look for ways to surprise and delight your audience, whether that means an unexpected special guest or bonus content you didn’t advertise.
Trace Kingham is the founder of Kingham Creative Events, Tampa, Fla., and author of STANDOUT: Place Your Business in the Spotlight with Results-Driven Experiences.
