Virtual Event Etiquette: 7 Tips for Webcast Success

Use the following guidelines to give your virtual events the white glove treatment!

1.    Send a reminder 

Send registrants a reminder at least one day before and an hour or two before your event. By sending a reminder, you ensure better attendance.   People have very busy lives, get mixed up with time changes, and simply forget about things even when they’ve purchased a ticket to an event.  Reminders also help clear up misunderstandings about time zones.

2.    Send an agenda 

In your final event reminder, include an agenda or menu of what is going to happen during your presentation.  It adds a very special touch that can create anticipation and excitement for your event. It also helps attendees think of questions they want to ask and encourage them to invite more people as last-minute sign ups.

3.   Greet participants upon arrival 

If you were hosting an in-person event, you would stand at the door and greet visitors as they arrived. It’s important you or someone you’ve assigned greet attendees as they come into your virtual conference room. This will make them feel included and welcome and avoid the tendency for people to click in and click out if they don’t know what is going on.

4.    Explain the technology 

Before your virtual event officially begins (and most of the attendees have arrived), take the time to explain the technology to them. Just a quick couple of minutes explaining how to mute a microphone, raise your hand to speak, and how things should look can go far in making attendees feel at ease.

5.    Keep track of time 

Someone should be keeping track of time.  It’s important to keep the event running smoothly and on time to show respect for your guest speaker/s and your attendees.  This is why practicing ahead of time is a must.

6.   Have a clear closing of the event 

Instead of just stopping your event abruptly, make sure to have a planned closing that has some sort of call to action — whether that is to sign up for a newsletter, attend the next event, or to remind participants to download their bonus materials and/or handout.

7.    Follow up 

Never ignore the follow up after a virtual event. Send participants bonus materials by email, a recording of the event, and thank them for attending.  In addition, include a survey that gives you their event feedback so you can improve with each ensuing event. Follow up is a very important part of the entire virtual event experience.

Regarding Tip #1:

Reminder:  If people are not signing up and showing up (in big numbers!) for your virtual events, Virtually Fantastic Event Promotions is happening this Wednesday, November 9th

Free webinar + Free event promo tools + Free marketing strategies + A special report for those who attend the presentation “live”.

Image credit:  DaizyB

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Comments

  1. Sally Brown
    Twitter: slbphoenix
    says:

    Great tips! I haven’t ever done an event because not sure how to or if it is needed for my blog, but I am glad to find these suggestions. I’ll keep this bookmarked in case I ever do. Thanks for sharing. I think etiquette is very important and will insure people participate as well. Sally
    Sally Brown recently posted..Ramblings For The Soul

  2. Keith Davis
    Twitter: easyPblog
    says:

    Hi Mel
    Hope all went well on the 9th.
    I’m sure it did and you can relax now.
    Keith Davis recently posted..The Tyranny of the Or…

  3. Nicole Bandes
    Twitter: eaglescoaching
    says:

    Great tips. The only one I don’t necessarily agree with is #2. It’s valid to provide a list of things the participants will learn but setting a clear agenda can have the effect of people coming and going based on what content is being presented at that time.
    Nicole Bandes recently posted..Life is Like a Bad Hair Cut

    • Melanie Kissell
      Twitter: melaniekissell
      says:

      Hi Nicole — thanks for swinging by and lending your input!

      I understand what you’re saying about tip #2.

      In lieu of a full-scale agenda, I think providing a few bullet points (highlights) in your final reminder really goes a long way to create some anticipation and excitement about what your registrants have to look forward to.

      Appreciate the visit and please come back soon!
      Melanie

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