Digital Events: 4 Exciting Ways To Connect With Your Audience

Early last year, when the pandemic started its sweep across the globe, most of the world as we know it retreated indoors. Businesses, establishments, even flights and travel, slid to a stop.

When this happened, we had to learn new ways of doing things. New ways of working from home, new ways of holding meetings, even new ways of doing events.

While that may seem like something completely different from what we’re used to, the good news is—the party isn’t over! We may be separated by distance, we may be unable to meet and network face-to-face, but that doesn’t mean the communication ends or the camaraderie is gone. All around the world, people have been making use of the extra time in their hands to reconnect with old friends through chats and video calls.

Events are no exception to the new norm and are now taking on a new strategy by all going digital. (Or Hybrid, for that matter.) Even as event venues start to open again, restaurants wipe the dust off tables and chairs, and people start to think about travelling somewhere, there are still some things that have happened during this year-long lockdown that are here to stay.

Think digital events. Even as the in-person component comes back, it seems like digital events will still be here to stay. At least, for now. And why not? If you were active on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook, you might have seen several event planners who came together, learned together, connected with each other…all online.

Creating an online community is easy, especially if you have built some structure into your social media account or through the events that your company has hosted. The challenge, however, is with creating meaningful communities that revolve around your event, without its very purpose being lost in the clutter of social media and other chatter.

If you have an upcoming digital event (or hybrid event), here are some ways you can make your audience connects and stays connected:

Create meaningful, audience-centric topics for your digital events

This is a no-brainer and should be the first thing you think of when creating an event, whether in-person, digital, or a mix of both. As you begin to build your event, the first thing you should always ask is, “What does my audience want?” It’s important that you first know who your audience is and what it is they’re looking for. Are they parents looking for some learning tips while their kids are studying online during the lockdown? Are they professionals struggling to find jobs and side hustles as they wait for the pandemic to tide over? Are they employees looking for inspiration and motivation to help them with this new remote work setup?

Whoever your audience is, learn what their needs are and use that as you build your digital event. You’ll find that there are people who want to meet others who are going through the same journey as they are. Even if your event has gone digital, your audience still wants to be able to have that same level of connection the way they would in face-to-face events. They want to connect to know that they are not alone. They want that support group, that buddy system, that accountability partner.

When you come up with topics that are relevant, you’ll help them be able to connect better and use guide questions to get them to share about their lives, exchange stories, and who knows? Maybe even create lasting friendships among them! The good thing with knowing what your audience wants and creating an event or letting it guide you in your event creation is that you are able to give them meaningful content which will, in turn, help them to create meaningful connections.

Create groups/channels where your audience can exchange ideas, network, and more!

One of the best things about digital events is that the possibilities for engagement are endless. You can host your event on Facebook Live where people can invite their friends to jump in. Or you could build your platform or subscribe to one that is better equipped for digital events so you have a chatbox, “rooms” for sessions and breakouts, individual profiles for speakers and even the participants themselves where they can list their preferred social media channels to connect with each other. The possibilities are endless.

It would also be great if you have opportunities to engage the audience during your event. They want to be equipped by listening to the talks, yes, but they want to express themselves too. Give room for questions. Come up with topic-specific breakouts where you allow them to discuss among themselves what their learnings are or what they felt about the topic. Get a moderator or host to ask deep, thought-provoking questions and draw out their thoughts. You’ll be surprised with how their answers will resonate with each other, which will lead them to further connect and engage with one another even after the event is over.

Share resources that your audience would love

People are hungry for things to do, things to read, especially if it’s something they’re really interested in or something that will benefit them. Just like in face-to-face events, your audience will always want to know “What’s in it for me?”

As you share resources (these can be anything from handouts to presentations to articles and videos), come up with group study sessions or discussion questions that will have your audience interacting with one another. Ask them questions that will encourage them to voice their thoughts, not just to the moderator or emcee, but to one another as well. If one of your sessions is a workshop, find ways to make sure it is one where the audience will interact with one another, whether through social media or separate chat groups.

READ NEXT: 20 Virtual Event Loot Bag Ideas That Your Attendees Will Love

Come up with fun challenges (and prizes too!)

No one likes sitting in a room and listening to speakers go on and on for hours without any breaks in between. When events were live, you could have your audience stand up, stretch, go around the room or connect with other attendees and even check the booths in the expo (if you had one). Digital events are no different. You’ve got to give your audience a break too and let them do something different for a change.

One great idea would be to come up with fun, little challenges that will allow them to interact with others. Think of those icebreaker games you have during face-to-face events and come up with an activity that will have them striking up conversations with one another. Encourage them to get to know the person, talk to the person, and engage with them in various ways. Some events add a little bit of yoga and stretching in between sessions. Others even unleash a mini dance party with everyone participating from the safety of their homes.

Have fun, creative challenges where they can post on social media and come up with a hashtag that they can use. Not only does this connect all the attendees, but their friends and friends of friends will see the hashtag and want to be a part of your next event. The key to fostering communities that last even after the digital event has come and gone is to build one wherever they go: on the platform you’re using, on the various types of social media they use, in the way they engage with one another in every aspect of the event.

Conclusion

You can always come up with an event, throw your speakers in, and leave the audience to do whatever they please. But if you can guide your audience to engage with one another and with you, if you can guide them through meaningful discussions and connect them with people who have similar interests, you’ll have a digital event that’s memorable and will leave your audience wanting more.