Virtual Conferences in 2021

• Plan It, and They Shall Come

Virtual conferences can be accessed from any device, anywhere, in any time zone, which means you can reach a broader, more diverse audience than ever before. Whether you are at your desk, sitting poolside, or on a couch in track pants and a scrunchie, everyone can join in a manner that’s convenient for them.

• Save Time and Money

With no hotels or venues to book, no travel to organize, no event staff to hire and train, and no food and beverage to arrange and secure, virtual conferences are substantially more cost and time-effective than their traditional counterparts.

• As Unlimited as Your Imagination

The right platform can help you realize your vision by bringing a new level of interactivity to your event. Choose one that offers a full suite of tools, allowing both your creative and business side to shine. Motion design, visual graphics, and photography can offer well-crafted and effective visual communications. Live Q&As, polling, and event chats will also keep your audience engaged and entertained.

• Network Helps Your Net Worth

Networking used to be limited to the people in your Rolodex. With virtual conferences giving you access to the international community, the world is now your oyster. Be sure to make the most of it with online tools such as audio and video chats, breakout sessions, and private virtual lounges. Freed from space limitations, the possibilities for gathering virtually are now endless. Networking rooms can be divided into specific groups based on interests, jobs, or other themes. By allowing attendees to meet and engage with thought leaders and experts from around the world, anyone can build a global network from the comfort of their home. After the event, be sure to sync your registration list with your CRM, mailing lists, and other touchpoints for future conferences and lead generation.

• Accessibility

With the right planning, your virtual conference can be significantly more accessible and inclusive than its traditional equivalent. Look for platforms that are compatible with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 and the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act. That way, people with disabilities can schedule, attend, and participate in conferences. They can also view recordings, and access administrative features from any computer or mobile device. Use assistive technology such as screen readers and captioning, and also consider hiring a sign language interpreter. Additionally, think about providing written or visual materials in an accessible file format in advance to allow everyone that chance to participate fully.

Virtual Conference Strategy

Having a solid strategy will bring value to your audience, partners, and your business. Here are some good ideas to help you get your strategy down pat.

• Value and Package Pricing

Before setting the ticket price for your conference, you need to take several factors into account. Ask yourself what you're bringing to the table in terms of value? Who are your speakers? Is your topic something that people will be willing to pay for? What will the networking opportunities be? Do you want to offer tiered pricing for people willing to pay more for exclusive content? Once you have answers to these questions, create a detailed budget, which factors in your hard costs. Things like software and hosting platforms, marketing, creative resources, speakers, and any swag or gift baskets you might want to include. Then you will be able to determine how much to charge for your conference.

• Engaging Content is King

Hire talented conference designers and coaches to work with your presenters to ensure that the information is delivered in a dynamic and visually exciting way. Consider having a surprise guest or an experience that can be revealed halfway through your event, which will keep the energy up. Then consider what content you could share before and as a follow-up to keep people interested long after the conference is over.

• New Mediums Get Remembered

Between the applause, laugher, and camaraderie, replicating the energy of an in-person conference online is not without its challenges. However, people will happily give you their time if you make it worth their while. Get inspired and use your virtual setting to make your experience as interactive and immersive as possible. Why not use a backdrop that creates a mood or puts the audience in a specific location, such as Miami Beach? Perhaps a surprise guest could video call into the presentation to add some excitement. Even a simple slide show or integrated video can make your conference an event to remember.

• The Value of Vendors

Asking vendors to participate in your virtual conference will add cache while helping fund your conference. Vendors can showcase their products and technologies through immersive learning experiences, fun activities, and virtual storefronts. In turn, attendees can ask questions and acquire solutions for their businesses while building their network.

• Promote Your Virtual Conference

Perhaps the most crucial step in planning your virtual conference is how you guarantee attendance. Start by sending out a communication that highlights your value prop. Include the theme, speakers, or vendors attending, and the conference details, including your social media handle, website, and a fun hashtag. Then send a press release to increase your SEO. Finally, get the word out using all available social media channels, including your own, and those of your key partners and vendors.

Executing a virtual conference strategy

Before you start hiring anyone or spending any money at all, you need to define what success looks like and the KPIs you’ll use to measure it. Once you’ve established clear parameters, it’s time to get to work. Start by researching different platforms to find the best technology and capabilities, helping you achieve your virtual conference goals. Having strong security is vital to maintaining a high level of professionalism.