Hosting Your First Virtual Event As A Startup? 4 Tips For Success

Virtual events have become the norm these days. Businesses, government institutions, universities, etc., connect with their target audience in a virtual setting. Not only does it help in building connections, but virtual events are also very fruitful in strengthening a brand, generating leads, and increasing company revenue. 

Even though virtual events are beneficial, hosting one can be pretty complicated, especially if it’s your first time as a startup. Startups often struggle to make their virtual events successful because they don’t know how to start one.

In this article, we will give you some tips on how to kickstart a successful virtual event.

Know Your Audience

It would be best if you had a good understanding of who your audience is. Are they interested in participating in your virtual event? Are they tech-savvy? These are just a few more questions that you should ask yourself to know your audience. 

hosting virtual events as startup

Also, when you choose a topic for your virtual event, it’s essential to bear in mind that content is always the key. Everyone who will show up is there to learn more about your startup business. You need to prioritize what you think your audience will find more interesting. Stay away from too broad or vague areas and focus on one specific topic. 

For example, if you’re going to introduce a new product or service, focus on its features and how it can be beneficial for consumers. Break everything down into more minor details to keep your audience focused and interested in your topic. 

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Choose The Right Platform

As the popularity of virtual events increases, so is the number of virtual event players in the market. There are hundreds of video streaming platforms, each offering a unique set of features for users and improved virtual corporate experiences.

When researching the best video streaming service for your virtual event, you have to look at its pros and cons. It’s also wise to consider your budget, the number of attendees allowed, and the features offered by the platform in your decision. It would help if you took your time to do your research to find the right one. 

Most services come with a free trial which is perfect for a dry run as preparation for the actual event. This allows you to become familiar with the basic functionalities, features, and technicalities of using the streaming service.

Promote The Event

You can use social networking platforms to promote your virtual event. In particular, you can post updates about your upcoming virtual event to build hype. Share the event information on your blog and other channels as part of your social media marketing campaign to reach a wider audience. For more visibility, you can also consider sending invitations to people who are connected to your industry. To create a buzz around your virtual event, use visual content and video previews. Also, don’t mention it in your event’s email marketing.

Creating an announcement and a dedicated landing page are two other ways to promote your virtual event. Make sure to mention any notable speakers or special guests attending the event.

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Pick A Good Time & Date

When it comes to the time and date, you have to factor in the daily activities of your target audience. If your audience is people working from 9 am to 5 pm, a busy Monday morning may not be the best time to have a virtual event. The best time to do it is later in the week when your attendees are looking for a mental break from all their workload. 

If you want to appeal to audiences overseas, you also need to think about the time zones. It’s even better to ask your audience for suggestions about the best time and date, so more people are sure to attend the event. 

Ultimately, you can always record the virtual event and upload it on Facebook or YouTube for your followers to watch if they missed the live show. 

Key Takeaway

In this new normal that we now have today, virtual events have allowed companies to bring people together, reach broader audiences, and expand their influence. Investing in a virtual event as a startup is very important as it can give your new business a good foundation, especially when it comes to marketing. It provides an engaging experience that drives your startup business to make a difference and impact people’s lives.

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