Even as the event industry was in-person, event producers were still seeking out all the ways guests could better mix and mingle at an event. Enjoyment has always been a priority, but now that virtual events have dominated our industry, how can event producers ensure that enjoyment in the digital world? Luckily, Wizard Studios has thought deeply about this and is happy to offer our top 7 tips on how to encourage positive experiences, networking and otherwise, among all event attendees.

Beyond key speakers and sponsors, networking opportunities should be a main offering that powers your event, especially in the aftermath of COVID. As an organizer, part of your event strategy is to facilitate networking between attendees in order for them to get the most value. Especially in the realm of digital connections, your event will be remembered by the connections and relationships it helped to create.

Here are 7 tips for encouraging event attendees to network, have fun, and ultimately leave your event with a smile and plenty of strong, professional connections.

1- Celebrate Your Online Community

Before the pandemic, only 46% of companies used a social platform to increase engagement among attendees before an in-person event. When our world was uprooted this past spring, event planners didn’t know where to turn, but those that had an online community quickly realized how crucial it was for the survival of their businesses. It is and will continue to be an opportunity for people to engage with each other in a way that is approachable and lasting. With future in-person gatherings likely requiring a digital element, redefining your online community now will set you up for success down the road. Consider allowing virtual attendees to integrate Linkedin accounts, message other attendees, schedule time with speakers, and even plan a virtual happy hour with their peers. Keep the networking element of your online community alive before, during, and after your event. 

2- Employ Mid-Session Activities

Familiar with the term “Zoom fatigue”? Staring at a computer screen with little change in scenergy can tire your attendees. It’s not too dissimilar from attendees getting exhausted sitting through numerous sessions throughout the course of an in-person event. Implore your speakers to interact with attendees through mid-session activities like online polls, small Zoom breakout groups, and session ratings. These inclusive icebreaker activities will urge participants to share and compare responses, which is particularly valuable when sessions are large and breakout groups run the risk of being inefficient. Through this tactic, speakers will have the opportunity to engage attendees in meaningful conversation and offer a break from the typical Zoom call or virtual meeting.

3- Enhance Engagement by Optimizing Layout

Just like an in-person event, the layout of a venue can be either encouraging or discouraging for people to network. A large virtual event that treats attendees like numbers only turns off attendees from leaning in and being a part of the conversation. Ensure the digital “venue” is navigable, and encourages attendees to explore tangential breakout websites, breakout rooms, networking opportunities, or virtual happy hours. The options are unlimited! 

4- Share, Share, Share

Create opportunities for attendees to share their event experience by giving them the tools to do so – this includes social media hashtags (make sure others aren’t already using the ones you come up with!), on-site contribution walls, and at-home or home office photo ops. By incentivizing social media participation through these methods, attendees are more likely to engage with each other during the event and to encourage further online interactions sparked by follows, likes, shares, and reposts. This allows event goers to familiarize themselves with fellow attendees, while simultaneously increasing your online event presence. Quite a win-win, wouldn’t you agree? 

5- Send Push Notifications

Just like event planners, attendees have a lot on their plates. If you plan a great digital event, people must show up in order for it to be successful. A simple tip is to boost attendee attendance by sending push notifications before new, virtual activities take place.

At Social Media Marketing World, organizers send strategic push notifications to attendees with event updates, impromptu sessions, and networking happy hour reminders. If your event app features a push notification tool, you can even organize spontaneous networking activities during breaks. The point here is that attendees must be reminded of your carefully crafted events. If they don’t know about it, they won’t be there!

6- Create an Online Networking Guide

The world of virtual events may be a very new idea to a large percentage of your attendees. When people register for the event, offer some quality content and tips they should follow to improve and make the most of networking opportunities available to them. While general tips are helpful, personalize these tips to offer the most value to attendees – from suggestions on what to do in the virtual world, how to add updates to their attendee profiles, to the best ways to virtually introduce yourself in a large-scale meeting. These short and easily-implementable networking ideas will go a long way.

7- People Matching

Whether it’s before or during the event, try pairing attendees with shared interests, industries, or even hometown. This can mean an automated notification when registrants sign up for your event, which can be developed into an Zoom breakout matching station that helps attendees find connections in a fun and interactive fashion!

Simply put, networking is hard, especially in the uncharted territory of virtual events, but there are strategies to make it easier for everyone. Make sure attendees make the most of their event experience by implementing these tips into your networking event strategy. Need some help getting started? Contact the networking and event producing experts at Wizard Studios and get started on your online event today!