Planning a virtual conference or business networking event can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation and tools, it can be an effective way to connect with a large audience from around the globe. This blog discusses ideas, tips, and tools to help make your virtual conference a success.

Determine the Purpose and Create a Detailed Schedule

Before you start planning, it’s important to determine the purpose of the conference. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you looking to educate attendees on a specific topic?
• Are you getting people together to discuss something and brainstorm ideas?
• Are you looking to provide an opportunity for people to connect and network?

Determining the purpose of your conference will help you shape your approach and also identify the right tools that could help. Perhaps you can bring industry experts in to share their knowledge, invite local vendors to share solutions, or add freebies to encourage others to attend.

A virtual conference can be just as long and exhausting as an in-person event, so it’s important to create a detailed schedule to keep attendees engaged and interested. Include breaks, and interactive sessions. It’s also a good idea to get some of the best professional speakers on board to keep those in attendance engaged throughout the day.

Promote the Event and Provide Engaging Content

Just like with an in-person event, promoting your virtual conference is key to its success. Use social networking services, online networking sites, email marketing, and other channels to spread the word and encourage people to attend. There are some event listing websites where professionals often check to see what’s happening around them.

The content of your conference is what will keep attendees interested and engaged. This is where bringing in professional speakers or hosting panel discussions on relevant topics to your audience could create a buzz during promotions. Don’t forget to share a teaser so those interested know what to expect.

Offer Opportunities for Networking and Sharing with Others

Business networking is a key aspect of any conference, so there must be opportunities for people to connect. You could consider setting up virtual breakout rooms or hosting a virtual happy hour to give attendees a chance to network and connect with others in their industries.

It’s a good idea to record your virtual conference and share it with everyone. Attendees who aren’t able to attend live can catch up on the content and engage with the event at their own pace, which could be mutually beneficial. Others could refer to it later, and go over it again.

Finally, Choose The Right Platform

Planning a successful virtual conference requires attention to detail. You need to focus on engaging content and networking opportunities. If this sounds overwhelming, People Connect can help make things simpler.

Our professional online business networking service in Arlington makes hosting and promoting business networking events and conferences, a breeze. What’s more, we have a panel of the best professional speakers in the area so your event can be the talk of the town. To avail our services, sign up, you won’t be disappointed!