The pandemic has caused an obvious crisis in the event world. No longer do we have thousands of people coming to our events giving us that ENERGY and that engagement we love. But with every crisis comes an opportunity. Let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of Virtual Events.
The Ugly
Attention spans are getting shorter while distractions are getting higher. Plus the online space is fiercely more competitive than ever. To get your event seen and consumed in the midst of the millions OTHER things people can consume online is near impossible. Participating in virtual events from family homes and home offices is not optimal.
But…this new world has also created some new opportunities
#1 New Audiences
There are millions in the past who wouldn’t have had the option of flying across the world to attend your in-person event. But now, with just the click of a button, they can participate and engage in your virtual events from anywhere and at any time. With new audiences comes new networks, new thinkings, new insights, and a whole new sense of collaboration. And let’s not forget about the opportunity for greater diversity – different age groups, different levels of expertise, and different geographic areas are now able to engage with each other in new ways. We’re seeing a multiplication online that isonly possible because of the accessibility of virtual events.
#2 New Speakers
Let’s be real, getting a speaker to an event, your booth, or even your studio is expensive. We’re talking logistics, flights, hotels, and other details that need to be arranged. Those same C-level staff, celebrities, and keynote speakers are now more easily available and often at a fraction of their original fees. Given that many are predominantly live streaming from home, use this opportunity to create new levels of intimacy and direct engagement between attendees and speakers.
#3 New Business Model
No more do we have to be limited by a static image on a wall, a logo on a podium, or a billboard outside of a hall. We can now create new sponsorship deals with partners that include dynamic content in the form of lower third graphics, virtual reality advertisements viewed through VR goggles, goody-bags mailed to attendees and much more. You now have an opportunity to re-think business models with attendees in the form of pay-as-you-consumer packages, add-on pricing for exclusive access or content, and alternative experiences at premier prices.
#4 New Experiences
We are no more in the business of creating events. We are now in the business of creating next-level virtual experiences. Get rid of the keynote-panel-breakout session-fireside chat format and creatively redesign your event’s agenda. Augment viewing from a laptop or mobile with 3D cameras, VR goggles and Holograms. My studios in India, Dubai and Poland are able to create unbelievable movie-like experiences in a matter of hours at a fraction of the cost in ways previously unfeasible. We are no longer limited by physical spaces but are now unlimited in the arena of virtual
#5 Embrace the New Opportunities
Yes, I miss the big audiences and cannot wait for us to be able to do physical conferences again; but let’s fully engage in this new digital world discovering its limitless possibility. Your imagination now has an expanded canvas of options to create a highly engaging experience for your attendees.
Why can’t someone watch a show and simultaneously get a goodie bag with physical items such as an NFC band that when tapped, activates a whole new stream, or gives them special access to a masterclass. These are just some ideas and I know you will have more. Let’s start thinking in brand new ways about the future of events.
As an Emcee and Show Host, I’m on your side. I want to curate experiences that are memorable; turn your Attendees into Ambassadors, and inspire them to keep coming back. If I can help in any way, please get in touch. Let me help you create brand new experiences for this brand new world that we live in.
Dan Ram ignites the stage as an in-person event and virtual event EMCEE & Speaker at over 100 events a year. He has shared the stage with international luminaries including President Barack Obama, Sir Richard Branson, Reid Hoffman, Nico Rosberg, and Grammy-winning artists and celebrities. Level up your communication skills through his course and mastermind “Speaking Success”. If you want to make this the year that you master your personal brand, check out Dan’s Full Service Personal Branding Agency. His passion is to inspire people with his motto ‘Start Now Start Simple’ in building a future we all want to live in.