Are you trying to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest marketing trends? We know that virtual events are becoming more and more popular, but what types of virtual events could you be hosting or participating in?
In this post we explore 10 different types of virtual events that marketers should know about so they can take full advantage of the potential these digital experiences have to offer. From streaming media conferences to webinars, read on for a comprehensive overview of all the possibilities when it comes to creating effective hosted experiences online.
Here are 10 of the most popular types of virtual events that have been happening over the past year:
1. Virtual conferences
Virtual events, such as conferences, are powerful and efficient marketing tools to expand your business’s brand awareness, generate quality leads, and solidify customer relationships. Compared to a regular virtual meeting, a conference is much more immersive and engaging for the audience. It can feature keynotes from high-level speakers, panel discussions on interesting topics, training sessions to share knowledge and expertise, and educational activities that showcase your industry insight and thought leadership. If you are an ambitious business looking to increase customer engagement on a deeper level and drive sales growth quickly then organising a virtual conference is an excellent way to get started.
2. Webinars
Webinars are types of virtual events that recently have become increasingly popular due to the remote working atmosphere and travel restrictions all around the world. These types of virtual events provide a platform for speakers from one company or organisation to share knowledge and advice on a certain topic with anyone who tunes in. They can last for an hour, but usually do not exceed two hours. By providing such types of online platforms is how organisations and companies nowadays can reach out virtually and break barriers all around the world, engaging more people than ever before!
3. Online Training and Workshops
Businesses often find virtual events to be incredibly beneficial when it comes to skill-based training. Online workshops boast a number of noticeable advantages over traditional types of education, such as the ability to work with fewer attendees, thus providing more opportunity for each individual’s participation. To ensure success during any virtual event, it is also important that all participants remain engaged – this is best accomplished by actively involving them in the learning process, testing their newly acquired knowledge through effective audience engagement activities. All these factors come together to make online workshops an ideal option for businesses looking to expand their employees’ skillset in a remote-friendly environment.
Dreamtek recently put together a sophisticated virtual learning solution for Peugeot – Citroen Virtual Academy, using Adobe Connect to create a flexible solution that’s improving dealer’s technical understanding while being more flexible and less costly to deliver than before.
The company wanted to create an HD mobile broadcast solution that would be technically superior while also being easy to use. We also built and installed a state of the art mobile video broadcasting system the Academy can use to capture fresh content and in order to create live streams. The client wanted to offer live HD streaming alongside video on demand, and wanted the solution to be made available across the entire company.
4. Online trade shows and exhibitions
Virtual trade shows, otherwise known as online trade events, offer a unique opportunity for organisations to engage with their audiences. From webinars to virtual exhibition halls, types of virtual events can be tailored to match that of a traditional face-to-face event while creating more engagement and optimising profit. Although many aspects remain the same in an online form, there are great advantages to hosting these types of events including convenience, expedience and budget cost savings. Whether it be seminars, tutorials or product launches, virtual events offer the same results as physical ones without the hassle or restrictions of time and space.
5. Live streaming
Live streaming is when a streamed video is sent over the internet in real time, and it hasn’t been pre-recorded. This can be done over several platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Although live streaming was used before the pandemic, it has become increasingly popular over the past year. It is an excellent way to connect with potential customers through social media and helps to communicate your brand’s message.
6. Online entertainment
Virtual events don’t have to be exclusively for professional purposes – they can also offer a great opportunity to add entertainment and fun into the mix too! There are so many types of virtual events you could pick from – why not finish off a conference or webinar with a lively quiz, an engaging game, or even a concert featuring music from one of your team members? Incorporating some upbeat entertainment at the end of your virtual event will bring life to the occasion and give people something to really look forward to. What’s more, creating an entirely separate event for the purpose of enjoyment will ensure those who attend come away lifted in spirit. There’s no better way to close out any kind of gathering than with a good time!
7. Virtual career fairs
With the advent of virtual career fairs, potential employees across the globe can interact with their prospective employers in ways not previously possible. Hosting a virtual career event provides an excellent way to showcase your employer brand to a worldwide audience – from 1-to-1 video chats and job boards to video assessment tools, there are types of events suited to any organization’s needs. Moreover, this platform makes it easier than ever to meet numerous prospects at once, allowing you to drastically improve the quality of the applicants while still getting firsthand insight into their backgrounds and personalities. Connecting directly with your candidates through virtual events is an invaluable tool for increasing engagement with top talent and ensuring that you make a great hire.
8. Health and wellbeing sessions
As the world has shifted to a more digital-focused lifestyle, virtual health and wellbeing sessions have been embraced by many to continue to keep fit and healthy both physically and mentally. From a range of types of virtual events, from High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) classes to strength classes and yoga, all the way through to mindfulness sessions, it’s never been easier or more accessible for us to take care of our overall wellbeing. Taking part in activities like these can be beneficial for our physical fitness level as well as helping improve mental health through connecting with professionals and others participating in the session. If you are looking for ways to start feeling better about yourself at home or work, virtual wellness classes are an easy and efficient way of doing just that.
9. Virtual networking
Virtual networking events are becoming an increasingly popular way to both meet colleagues and gain insight into their ideas, perspectives and experiences. Such types of events can be part of a conference, webinar, gathering or discussion, allowing participants from all types of industries to connect with one another in a safe and more intimate setting. Virtual networking events also present a great marketing tool for businesses who can leverage the potential for new strategic partnerships as well as access deeper, more practical industry understanding. Essentially, it gives professionals all around the world the opportunity to learn from each other while expanding networks, knowledge and ideas – opportunities that may not have been possible before these types of virtual events began to take hold of business communities globally.
10. Virtual party
Virtual networking events are becoming an increasingly popular way to both meet colleagues and gain insight into their ideas, perspectives and experiences. Such types of events can be part of a conference, webinar, gathering or discussion, allowing participants from all types of industries to connect with one another in a safe and more intimate setting. Virtual networking events also present a great marketing tool for businesses who can leverage the potential for new strategic partnerships as well as access deeper, more practical industry understanding. Essentially, it gives professionals all around the world the opportunity to learn from each other while expanding networks, knowledge and ideas – opportunities that may not have been possible before these types of virtual events began to take hold of business communities globally.
Virtual events have become increasingly popular due to the variety of options offered. From virtual conferences, webinars or specific product launches, virtual events allow for a large audience reach with just a few clicks. Whether you need to host an event for 100 people or 20,000 people, virtual events can handle it.
Regardless of what kind of event you want to host, partnering with Dreamtek will guarantee you a successful virtual event. Dreamtek has been providing innovative solutions since 2005, making them the go-to partner for quality virtual events that offer engaging experiences and captivating content. With their help you’ll be able to create an amazing event in no time!