Event planner's guide to an online summit
What can you do to get started? In this post, we'll cover the basics of what is a virtual summit, how to make an amazing virtual event and why they can have significant influence on your business.
What exactly is the definition of a virtual summit?
Virtual summits are an exclusive online collaborative event where speakers are invited to discuss a specific issue. Virtual summits provide a wonderful chance to generate leads for companies because attendees are typically registered for the summit. There are some summits that require invitation-only registration that have top-level executives or people of influence present, making an ideal venue for sharing new information about the industry.
Just like an online summit A virtual summit can be a great way to attract customers and build upon existing relationships, all without the cost of erecting a physical event.
The reason virtual summits are growing in popularity
Reach more event attendees
One of the main reasons that virtual summits have become so popular is that they are able to have an extended global footprint. It means that the content of events has the capacity to be seen by greater audiences and bring in many speakers. This creates a rich and inclusive event which offers numerous networking and education opportunities. The events are able to bring together industry professionals across the world who would have otherwise not be able to attend the event in person.
Since we can now reach people across the globe We've noticed a significant rise in leads, registrations, and have a wider selection of speakers to choose from. By removing travel from our equation allows us to access speakers that might not have had the opportunity to use previously. Kerrie Bond-MacInnes Director of Global Events at Medallia
Create impactful, cost-effective event experiences
When you create your event using appropriate content and experiences, you can build the reputation of your business and turn your event into an industry-wide event that you must attend.
The right content, speakers, and virtual event design could help you draw your ideal audience. Additionally, you can engage them with knowledge sharing, education, product demonstrations, and networking opportunities.
Virtual summits can be more affordable than in-person summits. While in-person events can take several months, or even years to plan, with a variety of people team members, resources, and teams required, virtual summits can be streamed directly from a browser with minimal resources like a video and audio output. They're a sustainable way to create events and not lose out on possibility of attracting attendees.
Virtual summits truly deliver accessibility as well as sustainability. Attendees from all over the globe or even the same place aren't restricted by the physical venue. And as long as you offset the carbon footprint by how many people are watching the stream, you are able to organize an ecological summit. Aleksandra Panyukhina, Head of Events and Experiences at parcelLab
It is also possible to boost lead generation and revenue opportunities by offering paid tickets that offer access to special content that the audience wants. This will lead to future revenue and can keep your sales team busy.
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How to host a virtual summit
The process of hosting a virtual summit identical with hosting an event online. The thing that sets summits from other summits is its focus on collaboration. From content, to speakers as well as engagement opportunities, you'll want to make room for discussions as you build your virtual summit.
These are the key steps to consider in the method:
Create your event, and establish objectives
Goal setting and planning are essential. Ask a few important questions including:
- Who is your target audience in this event?
- What's the challenge that your target audience is trying to resolve?
- What will this group help in the solution(s)?
The answers to these questions will assist you in making a roadmap to plan your summit. After that, decide when you'll have your summit. Be aware of holiday seasons, back-to school season, and time zones. Also be mindful of other potential competitive events.
*Pro Tip: Virtual summit speakers require a little more attention. The norm is to remind attendees of deadlines, as well as updates on the number of attendees for events. Transparency with speakers is critical for building strong relationships.
Create your own event's website and determine your needs in terms of technology
Setting up and creating a site is crucial to the virtual summit. As you design the experience of registering for the summit, you must make the user experience at the forefront of your mind.
A customisable registration portal An online form of registration, portal or webpage is where participants register for your occasion. If you have tickets that are paid it is the place guests can purchase upgraded tickets for VIP all access passes
High quality watching experience Your event content and watching experience are essential in order to keep the summit's attendees entertained. There are so many different ways to spend time, toggling between different tabs, it's important to select a platform which gives viewers the convenience to watch the event in the browser instead of having them download a program prior to the event.
Production studio that is intuitive: Virtual event producers need the confidence to go live . Powerful and intuitive broadcaster tools that permit a single individual to create and edit media prior to live events. can help be sure that everything is working properly before you go backstage before going live.
event branding Controlling colors, fonts, transparency, and logos help build a cohesive virtual experience that's on brand.
Newsletter opt-ins:Add to your marketing funnel and increase the reach of your followers by offering the option of subscribing to newsletters or email lists. Explore event solutions that include integrations to your marketing operations and CRM software.
Analytics after the event: Get a grasp of your online event's performance by analyzing macro statistics such as total views, average watch time, and peak viewership in addition to viewer-level analysis such as the amount of registrants vs attendees, watch time, and any participation from Q&A and polls. These statistics can assist the event organizers to understand participant behaviors at a deeper degree to help optimize future event experiences.
Video editing tools After your event, you can trim your video and then add chapters Before hosting the content to allow in order to make it available for use on demand. Are you looking to build an animated highlight reel? Look for platforms that can create entertaining GIFs using your own content, so they can be shared through email or on social media after the event has ended.
*Pro Tip: Make sure your website's content is directly addressed to the audience. Think about hiring a copywriter that has a solid knowledge of the industry or subject at time. They can also assist in looking over presentations, websites or any graphic images.
Virtual summits are like an engine for content. Every great piece of content that has been produced is available to you! It's ready to be turned into clips, blogs eBooks, podcasts, and more. Aleksandra Panyukhina, Head of Events and Experiences at parcelLab
Make the event more visible with partners and sponsors
Create live event and pre-recorded video
It doesn't matter if the speakers are in real time or airing simulive You'll want them to look their best and feel at ease. As part of their initial onboarding, give them a virtual speaker kit. It contains everything needed to be successful when going live, including lighting, microphone, and a backdrop to create a professional display. The rehearsals should be accompanied by testing all equipment well in advance.
*Pro Tip:
Review feedback and analytics post-event
Feedback is crucial when assessing the impact of your virtual event. The feedback of attendees can provide insights into the value of the events content and the overall experience. The speaker's feedback can provide insight about how onboarding went and how well participants feel about their presentations. Ultimately, your speakers should feel confident in their presentations, yet clearly controlled by their team. Feedback forms may be distributed by email, with different messages based attendee roles, event participation, or other details utilized to separate audiences.
Additionally, event analytics including the amount of registrations as well as the number of attendees, total watching time, maximum viewership and information on Q&As as well as polls and feedback will give event organizers greater insight into the areas of the event have good engagement and how to improve for the future.
Provide more ways to engage with content and connect with attendees
The end of your virtual summit shouldn't be the beginning of meetings with business associates. Make sure to make edits to your video content and host the content on demand for attendees as well as attendees.
It is also possible to encourage opportunities participants to meet and work together following the summit. You could consider hosting a group on social media channels such as Facebook or Slack. Be sure to monitor these channels on regularly basis, and then nurture the channels by offering incentives to your company. These could include mentoring programs, advocacy groups meetings, membership group meetings, advisory groups as well as other.
Note: One tip which is often neglected is the post-event touchpoint with your partners. Do more than send out an attendee list and arrange for an informal lunch or call after the summit.You want your partners to feel valued and that their feedback and opinions are taken into consideration. Also, they may offer suggestions regarding future summits to secure their support for virtual summits to come.
Be aware of the work and time it takes to put on the most impressive and powerful virtual summit. There's a misconception that transitioning to virtual summits means you'll save time and budget - but that's wrong if you wish for your summit to be a success! They could take as long as, if not more, for you to be able to do it correctly.
Kerrie Bond-MacInnes Director of Global Events at Medallia
Virtual summit FAQ
What is a summit?
Virtual summits are an online collaborative event that features an array of talks ranging between 6 and 30 experts in a particular field. Virtual summits typically are invitation-only and feature top-level leaders or other influential people present. In these types of events, new industry information is often discussed first. How can I make an online summit?
A virtual summit can be created by following these steps in order:
- Select an appropriate date and time
- Develop a strategy for content and objectives
- Decide on admission charges, if applicable.
- Develop a solid agenda that it is relevant to your viewers
- The onboard speaker system and the content that can be approved
- Select the software that is appropriate
- Design a website with a registration page
- Make sure to promote your event by inviting Speakers and alliances
- Pre-recorded and live components as well as pre-programmed
- Hire professional production teams and other suppliers If required
- Prepare and then launch your event
- Follow-up with your speakers, partners, as well as your attendees following the event.
- Make social media channels that encourage business collaborations How long should the virtual summit last?
A virtual summit must be between 3 and 5 days. It is not advisable to hurry the virtual summit. With so many speakers and an array of material, it gives ample time to deep dive into topics and solutions.