We live in a world backed by advancing technology in almost every industry.
We host events of all kinds every year – from virtual to physical, and now hybrid events are taking center stage, and for good reason.
Hybrid events are a balancing act. They are the best of both worlds and combine in-person experiences with virtual ones. These events will become the new normal in the events industry.
If you are planning your first hybrid event, below are five tips for making it exciting for both audiences:
1. Brand Both Environments
Branding your event is essential, but that does not apply to the physical event alone.
Shift your focus online and embrace virtual branding.
That is the best way to leave a lasting impression on your attendees. Create a personalized experience for your target market that allows them to engage with your brand.
Virtual events demand careful attention toward showcasing your brand in a way that people will respond to.
2. Know Audience Expectations
There are several benefits to hosting a hybrid event, but one of the best ones is that your audience is not limited to a specific location or even country.
Your audience can be on-site or securely logged in from across the world. You need a good idea of what each audience will expect to meet those expectations.
You do not want to disengage one audience for the sake of accommodating the other. Have a plan for your virtual audience while waiting for your in-person audience to arrive, such as using a temporary virtual host to keep them entertained.
3. Ice Breaking Activities
Introduce icebreakers to avoid an awkward silence at the start of a hybrid event.
The humble icebreaker has been a tried and tested method for getting your audience to loosen up and get comfortable.
Virtual icebreakers are great conversation starters, and they help to energize people and drive audience participation.
Ask rapid-fire questions or play fun icebreaker games to set the tone of your event.
To learn more about hybrid events, click here.
4. Engage Both Audiences
Maximizing engagement with your hybrid event should be one of your top priorities.
One of the best ways to do this is through interactive content. It does not have to be super fancy content – it can include interactive surveys, polls, and social media activity.
The trick to successful interactive content is to make learning about your product or service fun. Use compelling visual elements and share relatable experiences to get your audience’s attention.
5. Gamification Elements
Gamification features play an essential role in creating a fun atmosphere.
Virtual and live escape rooms, or scavenger hunts, are entertaining for both audiences and instantly boost attendees’ energy.
Encouraging audience participation is a surefire way to make the event memorable for everyone involved.
To End
Hybrid events may be new to the eventing scene, but they are here to stay.
With modern technology driving new concepts and platforms, there is no reason why you cannot engage audiences from across the globe and introduce them to your brand.
These events give you more flexibility and provide a more sustainable way for businesses to reach new customers and stakeholders.