Now that we have done the drill of virtual events for a year, there is still a lot of uncertainty with new variants and possible restrictions. This uncertainty leads the reasoning of event managers to continue with virtual or hybrid events, rather than organize one onsite. However, even with organizing online for more than a year, many challenges still remain for 2022. With the following, we will examine more in detail the 5 main challenges for virtual events.
Lack of proper content strategy
The lack of proper content strategy is one of the biggest challenges for virtual events. With a short attention span and day-to-day distractions it is crucial to keep the strategy up to speed. To keep the participant engaged, the content has to fit with the daily plan of the attendee. Aim for shorter or categorized sessions, more television program narrative and easily digestible information. If you are already an experienced virtual event organizer, don’t forget to analyze your event data. Take a close look at the entries and exits, engagement rates and feedback to improve your strategy for next time.
Lack of technical expertise and support
Many event managers are afraid that they or their customers and attendees will have issues with their level of technical skills to get the full event experience online. Managers have many technical details to keep in mind. Starting from choosing the platform, the streaming services and prepare for quick plan B if things go south. This is why it is important to choose the right platform and technical services. Keep in mind the skill levels of your attendees!
As always, the key here is to keep the event simplistic and bulletproof. Don’t over complicate the event and create more risks that you are not able to handle.
It is even more important to have the right partners who are able to give you the expert technical support you or your participants might be lacking. If the support system from your event platform is efficient, relevant and fast, the foundation of creating overall success is already in place.
Lack of engagement
Even with so many possibilities to create more engagement, the challenge to get the participants engaging is still relevant today. More so after doing virtual events already for a year, the attendees are starting to experience online fatigue. Too many options or not purposeful functions create too much noise around the event. The focus should be on using the engagement tools based on the needs and interests of the participants. Features like live polls, Q&A and chats are becoming standard and can be used more purposefully within the content. To provide the similar experience of on-site events, it is important to enable live networking with peers. And don’t forget about connecting with the exhibitors and sponsors as well.
Lack of understanding the return on investment
Many event organizers are facing difficulties in convincing their customers and partners to invest in online events. Understandably, hard times need hard measures. Not all companies are ready to put aside the money for events, when it is needed more elsewhere. The key here is to know the purpose of your event and communicate it well.
Clear goals and benefits will not only help to convince, but also get you forward in content strategy and marketing. Plan clear indications to measure the success of your event. For example, track audience growth, engagement, leads etc. and use the results to improve your next event. Sometimes a well organized event can be the only solution to boost the morale of your company, partners and audience.
Lack of security awareness
The last of 5 challenges for virtual events is security. With everything moving online, the risks of breach or cyber attack are even higher than before. It is important to keep cyber security in mind. Especially, if your customer has high profile information they are sharing in their private online event. Moreover, the cyber hygiene standard should be covered from participants, to organizers, reaching all the way to your partners and platform providers. Make sure you check their security standards and keep in mind your own security processes during the event. Aim for solutions that provide different levels of security so that you are able to easily navigate between different needs of your clients.
Worksup is a virtual and hybrid event platform, enabling clear and easy setup, simple user interface and expert advice. Book your first online consultation below.