After all of the decision-making, planning, and effort that you put into hosting a virtual event, you deserve a pat on the back. But the work isn’t all done yet! In order to maximize the longevity of your event’s impact, there are some important things to consider post-event. Check out these four tips on what to do after hosting a virtual event.
1. Follow Up with Attendees
While the event is still fresh on everyone’s minds, it is important to follow up, usually within 48 hours, and thank attendees for participating. If you recorded your event, it is a good idea to include a link to the recording, so guests are able to revisit any of the messages delivered during the event. If you do not plan on sending out a recording, it can be helpful to provide a short summary of the main ideas and topics discussed. This way, attendees can return to ideas that resonated with them and may be more motivated to implement strategies that came up. The goal is to lengthen the impact of the virtual event by reminding attendees of the knowledge they gained.
2. Ask for Feedback
Ask for feedback from attendees to see what the event was like for them. Think about what kind of information you want to get from them, and then format your questions to make sure they will result in the data you are interested in. For example, you may consider using rating scales, write-in answers, or multiple-choice questions to better refine your findings. You may also consider including an incentive like a discount code or a gift card as a thank you for providing their insight. Not only does asking for feedback give insight to the areas that resonated with attendees, but it also shows areas of improvement that you can take into account for hosting future events. For more in-depth explanations for how to gauge how well the event was received, check out these four ways to measure the impact of your virtual event.
3. Build Out Content
Another way to increase the longevity of your virtual event is by turning key points into different kinds of content to circulate to attendees, or beyond if the information is relevant for a larger audience. First, think about the key components of the messages delivered at the event. Next, think about the best ways to repurpose that content, whether through a clip of the recorded event, a graphic with featured quotes, a blog post summary of the experience, or otherwise. It is important to consider how each message would resonate with your audience the best, and then build it out in the relevant medium.
Finally, choose which platforms best reinforce your message and reach your ideal audience. Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter can be great places to feature graphic content, whereas LinkedIn and Facebook may be better suited for written and long-form content. Consider your following on different platforms and let the desired audience drive which platform makes the most sense. You can also cross-promote in order to cover all of your bases. If your virtual event was internal or not meant for the public, repurposed content may be best suited to email marketing efforts.
4. Further the Connection
If your group hired a keynote speaker to inform, inspire, or encourage your audience, it is a good idea to get their social media handles so your audience can connect with them after the event. Encourage your attendees to follow them on Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to their blog if they have one. This will help lengthen the speaker’s impact as attendees will be able to keep up with updates and engage in their content beyond the virtual event.
If your event included bringing attendees from different groups together, it is important to include an outlet for attendees to connect and get in touch with each other. Networking is a vital tool in career growth and many valuable connections can be made at conferences and group meetings. Find a way to allow for attendees to keep in touch after the event so that they can continue to further the valuable connections they may have made during the event. Check out more tips on how to maximize your event through networking.
Hosting a virtual event isn’t over when the cameras and microphones turn off. Take advantage of the window after your virtual event by following up, getting feedback, repurposing content, and fostering connection, to ensure that your event’s message leaves a long-lasting impact.
