How To Create An Engaging Virtual Environment

Creating a comfortable, engaging environment is vital for a successful virtual event, but how?

Virtual environments are great for saving time and money, while having a broader reach. But the goal for creating a successful virtual environment is to make it engaging for attendees.

The more engagement and interaction you’re able to create, the more your attendees will listen to what’s being presented, retain the information provided, and enjoy the environment you’ve created!

But how? We’ve got eight ways you can make any virtual environment engaging for visitors.

1. Invest in Reliable Technology

Finding the right virtual event platform to host your event is a top priority. Look for a platform that is able to accommodate the event’s needs, including all of the event elements you’re looking for and the number of potential attendees. If the platform has a good team behind it, they’ll also be able to help you build an engaging environment.

2. Seek Energetic Speakers and Presenters

If your event plans to have presentations, webinars, or speakers, make sure you choose people that will captivate your audience. Any presenter, webinar facilitator, or speaker is going to be the main focus for your visitors, and this can make or break your event.

If it’s a person you’ve never watched present before, see if they have presentations online you can access to make sure they’re a fit.

3. Schedule a Date and Time for Your Virtual or Hybrid Event

Take great care in the marketing for your virtual event so you can drum up excitement. Traditional and digital marketing efforts do apply, but you may also consider giving registrants a sneak peek of event elements. Perhaps you’ll provide an agenda or a preview video of the featured speaker to get attendees really excited about the event.

4. Create a Comfortable Environment

It’s important to remember that virtual environments are still new for some people, so keep that in mind when you’re designing it. You don’t want people to feel lost or overwhelmed by the environment so much they don’t receive the information you’re putting out there! Make it as a familiar and as easy-to-use as possible.

5. Decide on Live vs. Pre-Recorded Webinars

If possible, go for the live presentation or webinar. Live presenters are more engaging for an audience and they can gauge the room and adjust accordingly. However, if you have to go with a pre-recorded session, make sure the speaker is energetic and exciting to watch.

6. Prepare for Technical Difficulties

Of course, technical difficulties aren’t likely to occur, but it’s better to be prepared, just in case. This goes back to tip number one, when you’re choosing your platform. Choose a platform that has great customer service that can help you at any time, especially during the event.

7. Leverage Interesting and Relevant Content

Avoid building a virtual environment only to talk at your attendees with a plain presentation. Make sure to plan engaging events, discussions, and activities. If possible, incorporate video, downloadable collateral, and live chat sessions. Allow areas where participants can talk to each other, too.

8. Ask Attendees to Provide Feedback

Once the virtual event is over, follow-up and ask attendees to provide honest feedback so you can improve for your next virtual event. Depending on the platform you’re using, you can also look at the data from your event to see where participants spent the most time and how they interacted.

About 6Connex Virtual Event Solutions - Our Digital Experience

6Connex is the leading provider of virtual and hybrid event solutions. Our secure, cloud-based platform expands audience reach and drives in-depth content engagement for marketing, sales, recruitment, training, and HR communities to make for successful online events around the world. Our product portfolio includes virtual environments, learning management, and webinars. Demand more from your virtual and hybrid event solution. Request a virtual event demo with 6Connex, or contact our event software experts for more information.

Have Questions? Please call 1.800.395.4702 or email us at sales@6connex.com.

Additional Reading:

How to Create a Virtual Conference in 7 Steps