How to Make Virtual Networking Events Enjoyable and Engaging

A new form of networking, virtual events, is becoming increasingly popular. Guests worldwide can now join your event, regardless of where they are located, because you don’t have a physical place to restrict them.

This article will show you how to execute a successful virtual networking event. Our most amusing virtual networking concepts will also be explained to you in this course.

Table of Contents

How to conduct a successful virtual networking event?

The success of a virtual networking event isn’t merely a question of coincidence. They need a significant amount of time and work to put together. So, before, during, and after your virtual networking event, we’ll go through the critical steps to take.

Before the event

It takes a lot of forethought, strategy, and preparation to pull off a successful virtual networking event.

Make a list of your goals and write them down.

If you want to know if your virtual networking event was a success, you need a goal. After that, it’s all about being viewed as an enabler and supporter in a community for specific organisations when they conduct virtual networking events. In other cases, it’s an excellent approach to bring their company’s name in front of a wider audience.

Consider what you intend to acquire from your networking experience in order to help your company’s goals. For example, consider whether you’re aiming to build relationships or introduce a new product/service or something else.

Set a particular aim for the event so that you can measure its success later on. Set a goal to schedule a second sale to call with five individuals who attended the event or get ten people to download an advertised resource.

Design your virtual networking event

Once your objectives are clear, it’s time to start planning your event. Your event’s details, such as its time and date as well as its scope, must be worked out in advance before you can begin publicising it.

When planning your event, keep your target audience and the event’s purpose and details like the schedule and budget. For example, a speed networking event for folks new to your company may be more effective than a more formal get-together via video conference.

Consider if you’ll have a keynote speaker and breakout sessions and what your technological requirements could be for all of this. You can ask a guest speaker to speak at your event if you arrange a phone contact with them first.

If event planning isn’t your area of expertise, this is a great time to bring in a professional. Using your ideas, they’ll be able to create a workable event strategy that helps you meet your objectives.

Build your guest list

As a networking event, you’ll want to ensure that the attendees are the correct ones. A more exclusive event, where you have a guest list and know exactly who to invite, might have a different vibe than hosting a networking event when you don’t have that luxury. If you want to meet new people during a networking event, you may have to offer an open invitation to those beyond your immediate circle.

Reach out to individuals in your network in person, via Slack channels, and on social networking platforms like LinkedIn to see if they’d be interested in attending your event. Mention the next networking event you’re hosting and provide a link so that anyone interested may RSVP. However, bear in mind that for the most intimate networking possibilities, you’ll want to keep your guest list short or offer breakout spaces where individuals may congregate for more private chats outside the event.

Choose the right virtual even tools.

An introductory Zoom call may suffice for some virtual networking events, while for others, a dedicated virtual event platform will be required. It’s possible to arrange and conduct a virtual event more successfully with these virtual event applications and event technology solutions.

Virtual event tools are a good option if you want to add more functionality to your event. For example, breakout rooms for smaller groups or private meetings for speed networking may be set up on most of these platforms. Aside from that, it’s much simpler to conduct keynote speeches, provide links and papers, and let guests exchange contact information with one another.

Avatars or game-like characters guide users through a digital environment in several online networking event tools. It’s not only a fun way to differentiate your event from others, but it also helps reproduce some of the in-person vibes.

Prepare your guests.

Virtual events have become increasingly popular, but not everyone has participated in one, and no two are exact. Preparing your visitors ahead of time ensures that they will be greeted warmly and have the most excellent possible experience at your event.

A detailed pre-event email that explains the logistics of your virtual networking event is a brilliant idea! Explain where and how to participate and any necessary technical requirements.

Ensure attendees see a program sample before the event to be familiar with the user interface. If your event has a keynote speaker, make sure your visitors know what to anticipate with an overview or plan and offer any reading material they might find interesting before the event.

While they’re there, ask if any of your guests have any particular needs, such as the need for extra help or an earlier departure time. Finally, use this chance to create contacts and remove any obstacles to a successful virtual networking event before the event.

During the event

You’ll have a significant impact on the outcome of your event when the time comes. To ensure that your visitors have a memorable time, here are some things to keep in mind when you’re hosting the event live.

Introduce everyone.

Introductions are a standard part of most networking meetings for those who don’t already know each other to meet new people. It’s your job as a host to make this transition as smooth as possible for your guests.

Introducing yourself at online or in-person gatherings might be nerve-wracking for some people. Make this icebreaker easier for your visitors by asking them to discuss their favourite ice cream flavour or to tell the group about one of their grand life ambitions, for instance. Create a conversation that a guest’s title, company doesn’t impact, or industry, and keep things light and uncomplicated.

Be an active host and moderator.

It’s easy to imagine that networking gatherings are informal, so you can sit back and wait for someone to ask for your help. The best virtual networking event hosts know this isn’t the case. However—it would be best to be an active host, moderator, and participant yourself.

Make sure you’re engaged in the conversation at all times. Whether you’ve invited a keynote speaker or asked others to give short presentations, be sure to engage the audience with intelligent questions.

In difficult situations, step in as a moderator and ensure that everyone has a chance to speak. Then, after a few minutes have passed, pull the group back together to recap what’s happened and get everyone enthusiastic about the next event.

After the event

Even when the virtual get-together has ended, your work is far from done. So when you’ve completed your virtual networking event, here’s what you should do and think about to strengthen your business ties and generate new leads.

Send a thank-you email.

Your guests have had a terrific experience meeting new people, forming new connections, and gaining new knowledge during your event. Now that they’ve contributed to the event’s success, it’s time to send a heartfelt thank you note.

In your thank you email, thank them for attending and express your hope that they had a nice time. Incorporate all of the websites and social media accounts you mentioned at the event, as well as any additional areas where people may remain in touch with you. For instance, include a link to a Facebook group or an email list.

As a bonus, this is a great time to solicit comments. You were asked for their comments on how the event was going or asked them to provide a quick rating or submit a review using a review service. You may also include a link to a post-event survey, but keep it brief and sweet.

Promote a future event.

If you’re planning on hosting more networking events in the future, now is the perfect moment to start publicising them. You can build interest and registrations for your future event by taking advantage of the success of your most recent one.

Consider utilising classic event marketing strategies if you want to generate interest in your virtual meetups. For example, to entice attendees to future events, you might post a highlight reel of video clips from your keynote or industry talks you filmed with their consent. Show off your virtual world by including screenshots of it in your online advertising or social media postings.

Using some of the positive reviews and ratings you’ve gathered, pepper them throughout your event promotion. Given the glut of similar events, these figures may persuade potential attendees that yours is the virtual networking event to attend.