Formulate an effective strategy for Virtual Event Networking
Importance of Event Networking Scale and Depth
One of the limitations of virtual events is the size of the event. Greater accessibility often attracts bigger audiences; however, that will also impact focused networking. Having too many people is often chaotic to network with in the virtual space. Hence, attendee segmentation is needed to streamline and encourage positive group interactions. Harvard Business Review recommends limiting attendance to 8 people splitting them into small manageable groups.
Breakout Rooms for brainstorming business solutions
One key aspect that drives networking at virtual events is the use of breakout rooms. Breakout Rooms are rooms specifically created to group individuals in order to work with them in smaller groups. Discussions held in these breakout rooms should be centered around the event to brainstorm and find solutions to current industry challenges. These rooms should feature Sponsor led Q&A and feedback sessions to activate attendee
engagement.
Engage attendees through Virtual Escape Rooms
Challenging your attendees through virtual escape rooms is a strategic way to increase engagement. These escape rooms are conceptually designed to conduct activities where teams are required to solve problems, puzzles or riddles in an allotted timeframe to "escape the room.” This encourages participants to interact and find solutions required to break free. Virtual escape rooms are an effective avenue for collaboration, team building and teamwork and have been one of the most effective activities in the corporate world.
Create rotational Networking One-on-Ones
While Virtual breakout rooms and escape rooms promote group engagement, rotational one-on-one sessions are geared towards specificity. In these focused one-on-one sessions, attendees are paired together to initiate speed networking for 5-10 minutes in a rotational manner. This drives speedy and focused networking where attendees get an overview of others’ profiles and expertise in a closed one-on-one virtual room.
Initiate attendee discussions through social audio apps
For the last couple of years, since the advent of the pandemic, the virtual discussion space has seen stark growth. One of the leading platforms to initiate these discussions has been Clubhouse. On Clubhouse, one can host rooms where attendees gather for an exchange of ideas, free-flowing conversations circling around relevant interests and activities. Even applications like Twitter (Twitter spaces), Wavve, Discord, Riffr and Spoon can be excellent options for attendees to explore and identify with personal interests while connecting with likeminded people.
Captivate attendees through Fireside Chats
Fireside chats are relatively lesser utilized, albeit a very effective practice. Moreover, it is one of the most unique ways to engage an audience. Historically, fireside chats were a series of radio addresses delivered by US President Franklin D Roosevelt. These addresses aimed to inform and unwind Americans due to the Depression and the Second World War.
Times have changed and fireside chats today serve a different context. A fireside chat is an interactive discussion in the modern age, that ensures the audience gain vital insights from the speakers’ stories and opinions. However, the purpose of fireside chats remains the same – to put attendees at ease, make them feel relaxed, and provide them with important information that they weren’t aware of. By utilizing fireside chats in a structured manner at your event, you stand to make a big difference and activate increased
attendee engagement.