Virtual events are becoming quite popular these days. They help you reach out to many people, are not very expensive, and are more convenient than having to travel somewhere and plan the event physically. One of the best parts about hosting a virtual event is that it makes everything so much easier if you have an existing list of attendees. To have an amazing virtual time, you need to follow some guidelines. Here are some tips on how to plan and host successful virtual networking events
Ice Breaker Games
Don’t underestimate the power of a simple ice breaker game to improve morale and get everyone loosened up. Especially if you use it to promote a particular goal. The host of an online event can have several ice breakers and interactive games on the website. This is perfect for getting people talking to one another as well as for getting them excited about the event.
These ice breaker games can be fun, and even something to get everyone involved so the meeting can be more enjoyable.
Having ice breaker games in a virtual networking event is as easy as uploading the games to an accessible site such as MSN or Yahoo. Then invite all your team members to play.
They will have loads of fun playing together or against each other. You can also set a challenge with one member to win a prize and then divide the rest of the group into smaller teams and set each group’s challenge to beat that target.
They will get into the groove of the game and work out who is the master of the games. By getting them interacting in this way, it will help with the atmosphere of the event.
Have Your Guests Introduce Themselves
The best way to do this is by allowing your guests to introduce themselves before the seminar begins. This can be done during the intro of the meeting or after everyone has logged in. If your guests choose to introduce themselves, there are many different ways in which they can do it.
Some ways include leaving their name at the top of the presentation page and waiting for other attendees to do the same. Another way to introduce your guests is by allowing them to make a call to action on their own.
Having guests call people by their name will make them feel more comfortable. This is one of the best ways of ensuring that all of your attendees at the virtual meeting can get to know each other beforehand. Then they can be introduced to each other during the actual event.
Encourage Your Guests Some Questions from Time to Time
Nothing too personal, something that will jolt their minds with interest. Encourage your guests to ask. In doing so, they will get the chance to provide input into how their company could improve. They might even come up with new ideas of how to make your company better, too! And, best of all, if they do, they will be doing it while enjoying the event as well.
You might want to encourage your guests to ask questions during the event because your guests will feel a sense of ownership. And they will feel like they have a say in how the event is run. They will be able to provide input and help you plan.
Limit Your Talking as the Host
It might be tempting to take over the show but don’t. If you’re going to be the one hosting a virtual event, you’re going to have to learn how to talk to people and make them feel like they are welcome. It doesn’t matter what you say.
If you cannot make a person feel comfortable, they will turn around and find another host or log off. For this reason, you need to build some confidence in them. This can be done during your introduction. Ask whoever you’re speaking with to stand up and give you their card.
The trick here is to make your guest feel that it’s okay to come and talk to you. If you don’t get them to do this, then it’s going to seem like you’re making them do all the work by interrupting them mid-conversation, and they will walk away from you.
The last thing you need to make sure of is that you don’t talk over your guests. This is a big no-no if you are going to be hosting a networking event. This is a networking event where you are supposed to interact with others to network. Not to make it hard for others to network. It’s just that you want to make sure that you aren’t talking over them. You never want to cut someone off at a networking party.
End the Event with a vote of Thanks
While hosting Virtual Networking Events, it is necessary to give thanks to everyone who has attended. It is not enough to say thank you to them; you have to make sure that you say it in a heart filled with warmth and gratitude.
When hosting such events, you have to look after the needs of the people present. You have to ensure that they are comfortable and get what they want and that they have earned it too. The next thing that you need to do is to send email letters.
These email letters need to be sent to everyone who attended your event. You should include all the fun things which happened. What you all learned from that event. And if you all achieved your goals for the event, in the end, you can send out thanks to everyone and then make mention of your plans for the next event as well.
Conclusion
Hosting fun and engaging virtual networking events is no easy task. It requires planning, execution, and follow-up. Make sure that you choose a theme and hosting method that you are comfortable with and plan. One of the most important aspects of these events is that they are kept simple.