Emcees are a great way to keep your audience engaged throughout an event. Depending on what kind of event you are putting on, it is important to assess if adding a virtual emcee into your lineup makes sense for you. Here are 6 factors to consider when deciding if hiring an emcee is a good fit for you:
1. Event Format
One of the most important things to consider when deciding whether to hire an emcee for your event is your event’s length and format. If your event includes only one keynote speaker, it may not make sense to hire an emcee. If your event has multiple speakers and a longer program, hiring an emcee is a strong option to ensure that your event runs smoothly and on schedule.
2. Internal Team Bandwidth
If you are working with a small internal team to make this event successful, you may want to consider hiring an emcee to have an additional set of hands to help with the event. Larger teams and organizations may have the staffing to be able to allocate enough staff to support the event themselves.
3. Audience
Consider who your audience includes. Is your event an internal company meeting or an external meeting? If internal, having an emcee is a great way to differentiate this event from the day-to-day operations of the normal workday. Bringing a fresh and new perspective can re-energize your employees and bring them a unique experience.
If you are monetizing your virtual event by collecting sponsorships, having an emcee can attract attendees and add value. Hiring a virtual emcee will help your team can focus on all the other aspects day-of and know that your host will not only ensure the smooth handoff of sessions and speakers, but he/she will also make, the event a more memorable experience for attendees.
4. Size
How many attendees are you expecting to host? For small meetings, emcees can initiate dialogue, interact with attendees, and really sell the event. This personalized element will drive engagement among your attendees.
For large meetings, whether live or virtual, emcees are experienced with handling a room well and can make sure everything goes as planned. Although they may not be able to interact with every guest directly, they can utilize the chatbox and poll functions in their virtual event platform to boost engagement. The larger the meeting, the more room there may be for error, so experienced emcees can alleviate the stress off of the hosts and sponsors. By keeping the audience engaged and entertained during any unforeseen issues that might arise, meeting organizers can then focus on resolving problems.
5. Budget
The budget is a valid concern for most companies. There are a lot of good options out there for smaller budgets for both virtual emcees and keynote speakers. In the virtual speaking world, budgets can go further than ever before. Work with a trusted consultant (like AAE) for recommendations on how to make the most of your budget, no matter the size.
6. Content
What is the theme and topic of your event? If you are providing more straight-forward information through your keynote speakers and your audience is there to learn from them, an emcee may not be necessary. If you want your event to be more of a memorable experience, adding an emcee can boost engagement and fun, bringing attendees into exciting new territory.
Ultimately, the decision to hire an emcee for your virtual event is based on all of these factors. The choice is yours. Here at AAE, we believe there are great virtual speakers and emcees for all budgets and topics, and we specialize in helping event planners make the most of their speaking budget. Check out these virtual moderators who know how to keep your event moving on schedule. And if you’re still on the fence, give us a call and we’re happy to help.