15 Virtual Event Ideas To Make Your Events More Engaging
Last Updated: 11 months ago by Astral Studios Staff
Why do you need virtual event ideas? It’s no secret that the corporate world is rapidly changing. With advances in technology, more and more businesses are moving away from traditional in-person events and opting for online events instead.
There are a number of reasons why virtual events are becoming so popular. They’re cheaper, easier to organise, and can be accessed by employees all over the world. But the biggest reason of all may be that virtual events just make sense in today’s digital age.
Here are 15 virtual event ideas that you can use to complement your traditional events and take your business to the next level.
1. Create an interactive quiz or game
Having a virtual event means you’re given the freedom to do things that wouldn’t normally be possible otherwise. One of those things is creating a live, interactive quiz or game during your online event.
The best part? This doesn’t have to mean going overboard and buying physical prizes or hosting a trivia contest. In fact, it’s much easier than that.
All you’ll need is access to an online poll tool like PollEverywhere. It works by sending out links via SMS text messages and live chat platforms such as Twitter or Facebook Messenger. This way, attendees can answer questions live during your virtual event and it’ll be immediately evident who’s right and who’s wrong.
You can ask questions about your company, your industry, or anything else related to your online event. The best part? You can even ask questions about what attendees think and their opinions on certain topics.
2. Have an online auction
One of the best ways to liven up an online event is to shake things up with interactive experiences that attendees would otherwise never be able to enjoy. An example of this would be including an online auction as part of your agenda.
But instead of buying physical objects like paintings or sculptures, you could host an auction where people bid for unique experiences like holidays or even private concerts by popular musicians. If scheduling permits, you could even hold multiple auctions throughout the duration of your virtual event.
You can use interactive software like Frontstream Panorama to host your online auction, and donate the proceeds to your favourite charity.
The best part? Not only will your attendees be having fun, but they’ll also learn a lot about different ways to have a positive impact on society and the planet.
3. Host a Twitter chat with experts from different fields
If you’re looking for new and engaging ways to build your brand, then you should consider hosting virtual corporate events that focus on knowledge sharing instead of product promotion. In other words, this means creating an environment where people come together not to sell, but to learn!
Instead of including flashy presentations or lengthy Q&A sessions as part of your agenda, why not make things more interesting by hosting a Twitter chat with experts from various industries?
You’ll need to create a hashtag to associate with your chat session. As the host, you can ask your experts a question about your chosen topic, or ask your audience to tweet their own questions.
Once you receive replies, you should encourage discussion by responding to them.
These chats generally run for a short period of time.
By asking thought-provoking questions and inviting influencers to participate, your virtual event will be a resounding success.
4. Set up a virtual trade show booth
In addition to building brand awareness by hosting informative Twitter chats, you should also consider setting up a virtual trade show booth for people to learn more about your company’s products and services.
One of the best things about this is that you’ll have complete control over how it appears in each person’s individual feed, so there won’t be any competition from other companies trying to get attention
You can set it up so that people can click through to purchase items or download coupons right from their device! In fact, you could even go one step further and send out special offers just prior to your event, allowing guests to purchase valuable gifts that can be redeemed during the virtual experience.
5. Launch an online survey for feedback on your event
The best way to learn more about your virtual event and the experiences it created is by asking people for feedback – and what better way than through an online survey?
You can set up a simple form that asks your attendees how engaged they were, whether there was anything missing from the agenda, or even how ready they are for next year’s similar experience. This information will be invaluable as you plan future events so make sure you collect as much data as possible.
6 . Partner up with another company to host a speaker
If you’re looking for new ways to engage with your audience, then perhaps one of the best ways is by partnering up with another company that has a similar customer base.
For example, if you run an educational virtual event, you could work alongside an organisation that specialises in sustainable living or even ethical consumerism so attendees can learn how they can have a positive impact on society at large.
Even better? You’ll be able to share this content after the virtual event concludes, keeping your brand top-of-mind long after the final attendee logs off.
7. Hold a Q&A session with your CEO or key employees
If there’s one thing people love as much as watching their peers share content online, it’s getting a chance to interact with some of the company leaders! By holding a public question and answer session, anyone who can’t attend in person will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about any upcoming plans or goals you may have.
The best part? You can even break each Q&A into different segments that focus on specific areas (i.e., product line, regional expansion efforts, etc .) so people can easily follow along with what’s going on. Just make sure to archive the entire chat so you have a permanent record of the proceedings.
8. Hold a Virtual Awards Ceremony
After your virtual event concludes, why not host a virtual awards ceremony to recognize the top performers? This can be a great way to engage people who may have missed out on your event, and it’ll also show everyone how successful your gathering was.
You can award trophies or certificates to the best speakers, the top exhibitors, or even the most engaged participants. Not only will this add an extra layer of excitement to your virtual event, but it’ll also show everyone just how much fun they missed out on.
9 Rehearse Your Speakers Ahead of Time
Talking to a video camera is quite different from speaking in person. If you want your online event to be a smashing success, make sure all of your presenters rehearse their presentations and get comfortable before going live.
It’s very important that all your speakers are prepared with their presentations, slides and bullet points.
Checking their camera and microphone setup can make a world of difference. Make sure that they are presenting with an appropriate background.
Ideally, you should have them present from a video studio under controlled conditions. This includes uninterruptible power, professional lighting and sound and a capable production team.
10 Present a Virtual Concert or a Comedy Show
You don’t want to lead people into a dry, lecture-style presentation. You need to create an experience in the virtual space that will keep your audience engaged and entertained.
That’s why fun virtual event ideas such as concerts and comedy shows can be such a hit. They’ll provide attendees with something they can’t find elsewhere, which makes your event all the more interesting.
11 Hold A Virtual Scavenger Hunt
A virtual scavenger hunt is an online version of the traditional game where players are given puzzles to solve and items to find within a limited time.
Virtual scavenger hunts encourage players to move about, engage with their surroundings, and compete against (or collaborate with) one another.
The same thing happens in online games, where players are motivated to cooperate and compete against one other. This sense of togetherness develops without regard for space, making this one of the best virtual social event ideas.
Having a scavenger hunt allows people to learn more about your brand and the types of content you create. Plus, it’s easy for participants to join in, as all they need is an Internet connection and a device such as a cell phone or laptop.
Stuck for ideas? Here are 41 virtual scavenger hunt games and apps to get you started.
The best part? Unlike other live events, a scavenger hunt can be completed at a person’s own pace. They don’t have to worry about missing out, and you’ll get tons of content that can be repurposed across your social media accounts, blog and website.
12 Social Media Challenge
The social media challenge is a fantastic virtual social event idea!
Ask your attendees to take a pic and share it on their social media. Get them to hashtag the event.
You could choose a theme for the pics, like food, travel, or outdoor adventure.
Give a prize to the post with the most likes!
13 Mindfulness Activities
Virtual events can be draining.
It’s a good idea to have a wellness track with activities that promote mindfulness and relaxation
This could be anything from guided meditation to breathing exercises, yoga or even a Q&A session on meditation techniques.
This may help attendees to de-stress and feel refreshed before diving back into the event.
14 Online Murder Mystery
An online murder mystery involves players gathering clues throughout the virtual event. The game is set up on a private website where all the evidence, suspects and motives are posted.
Players can submit anonymous tips to help solve the crime during the live event. Whoever solves it first gets a prize!
A virtual murder mystery is an inventive way to get attendees involved. This online event idea is also ideal for those who can’t make it to the live sessions.
15 Cooking or Cocktail Class
Virtual cooking or cocktail classes are fun options for a virtual social event. All you need to do is find a local chef or mixologist to join your virtual event.
Your instructor can take attendees through the steps, guiding them as they make their first béchamel or macerated blueberry mojito!
You can give your participants much-needed social contact while also teaching them new skills from the comfort of their own homes.
Provide participants with a list of ingredients to prepare or send kits ahead of time so that they’ll have all they need for the session.
Conclusion
Hosting virtual events is a great way to engage with your audience and build brand awareness. By using some of the fun virtual event ideas we’ve provided, you can create an experience that’s interesting, informative, and most importantly – engaging.
You can combine several of these online event ideas together to create a truly unique experience that has mass appeal.
For example, you could host a Twitter chat before your virtual trade show booth goes live so attendees have an idea of what to expect, and then send out a survey after they’ve had a chance to visit it.
The great thing about online events is that you can turn them into multi-day events or just use them as momentary “pop-ups” to generate interest. You have complete control, so use it to your advantage!
Bottom line: virtual events are great for reaching out across the web and attracting new users. With the virtual event ideas we’ve shared here, you can make sure your next virtual event is a smashing success!
To learn more about how you can implement these and other strategies in your virtual events, contact us at Astral Studios today.
