What makes a virtual event stand out?

2020: the unexpected year of the virtual event.

Virtual conference. Virtual coffee catch up. Virtual wedding. The list continues. What originally began as an exciting way to stay connected has by now lost a bit of its spark. But, just in the way that we improve our live events, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stop giving virtual encounters a go.

Why? Because it has the potential to go beyond our circles and connect us with people we wouldn’t have otherwise crossed paths with. Or even connect with people in our current circles who we never knew shared a similar mindset or interest.

To be completely honest, I do hope that we continue to optimise virtual event options as we continue our lives in the post-lockdown world. It’s an option already for some of the larger scale events, but what about those smaller forecasts, or panels that are a little more niche?

So with that said, how can we optimise virtual platforms moving forward to improve our events?

Organisation aside (picking the best platform, building up marketing…), what it really comes down to is covering something that matters to your audience. Listening to what they’re saying and filling in the gaps. Whether it’s a subject your audience want to understand more about or to socially connect with similar minded people - a little more beyond a virtual pub quiz.

It’s about recognising when there’s an opportunity for something of value. And so while this post is a little shorter than normal, this leads me nicely on to what I’ve been putting into place.

The Forerunners Club

Events work has taught me a lot over the years and I’ve had the absolute pleasure of bringing to life some wonderful ideas. Getting into the launch and scale mindset is a fascinating and exciting game. It challenges you to think laterally and try out different possibilities - often without too much reference.

In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed an opening for a few opportunities and without giving away too much too soon: I’m incredibly nervous but excited to share that I will be running some virtual events of my own! And! A shop!

(Edit: as I mentioned on Instagram today, I haven’t ironed out all the details just yet. But when there is more to share, you’ll be the first to know! It’s going to be a steady process, but I’m excited to see where this goes!)

Want to join the ride?

Han x