Hosting live events online has become increasingly popular in recent years, and with the ongoing pandemic, it has become the norm for many industries.
One of the biggest challenges when hosting an online event is keeping attendees engaged throughout the duration of the event.
Here are 20 attendee engagement tactics that work when hosting an event online:
- Create a pre-event survey to gather attendee information and tailor your content to their interests.
- Offer a virtual networking session before the event to allow attendees to connect and engage with each other before the event begins.
- Utilize interactive polls and surveys throughout the event to gather feedback and engage attendees in real-time.
- Use gamification techniques, such as trivia games and scavenger hunts, to encourage attendees to participate and stay engaged.
- Incorporate live Q&A sessions with industry experts or keynote speakers to allow attendees to ask questions and interact with the speaker.
- Host breakout sessions to allow attendees to connect with each other in smaller, more intimate groups.
- Offer virtual roundtable discussions with industry experts to allow attendees to engage in meaningful conversations with like-minded individuals.
- Incorporate live demonstrations or product showcases to keep attendees engaged and interested in your product or service.
- Host virtual happy hours or networking events to encourage attendees to connect and engage with each other after the event.
- Use social media to engage attendees before, during, and after the event by creating a unique hashtag and encouraging attendees to share their experience on social media.
- Offer incentives, such as gift cards or exclusive content, for attendees who participate in interactive activities throughout the event.
- Incorporate live music or entertainment to keep attendees engaged and entertained throughout the event.
- Host virtual tours or behind-the-scenes looks to give attendees a unique experience and keep them engaged.
- Use a chatbot or virtual assistant to answer attendee questions and provide real-time support.
- Offer personalized follow-up messages or emails to attendees to thank them for attending and encourage further engagement.
- Use virtual reality or augmented reality to create a unique and immersive experience for attendees.
- Host a virtual trade show to allow attendees to connect with vendors and learn more about products and services.
- Incorporate live interviews or fireside chats with industry leaders to offer attendees a unique perspective and keep them engaged.
- Use storytelling techniques to keep attendees engaged and interested in the content being presented.
- Offer a virtual swag bag or goodie bag to attendees to provide them with a tangible reminder of the event.
Conclusion
There are many attendee engagement tactics that work when hosting an event online. By utilizing these tactics, you can create a unique and engaging experience for attendees that will keep them interested and invested in your event.
Remember to tailor your tactics to your specific audience and industry, and always be open to feedback and new ideas. With these tips in mind, you can host a successful and engaging online event that attendees will remember for years to come.
At the next Event Planner Expo, we’ll have social media strategists who will be discussing how to create an engaging online event! This will be a must-attend conference for any event professional who wants to learn how to use social media to build their brand and engage with attendees. We hope you’ll join us!
You can register for the Expo here!
