Event Content
Virtual Conferences
Virtual conferences are online events that bring together attendees, speakers, and exhibitors from various locations. They replicate the experience of a physical conference through live and pre-recorded sessions, virtual networking, and interactive features like Q&A sessions and chat rooms.
IMPLEMENTATION
Define Objectives: Establish the goals and outcomes you want to achieve with the virtual conference.
Select a Platform: Choose a virtual conference platform that supports live streaming, interactive sessions, and networking capabilities.
Plan Content: Develop a schedule of keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking events.
Recruit Speakers: Invite industry experts, thought leaders, and influencers to speak at the conference.
Promote the Event: Use email campaigns, social media, and your website to attract attendees.
Engage Attendees: Create opportunities for interaction through Q&A sessions, polls, and chat rooms.
Host the Conference: Ensure smooth execution with technical support and live moderation.
Record Sessions: Make recordings of all sessions available for on-demand viewing.
Follow Up: Send post-event surveys, thank-you emails, and follow-up content to attendees.
Analyze Results: Evaluate the success of the conference through attendee feedback and engagement metrics.
STRATEGY RATING
SCORE
21
Virtual conferences require significant investment in time, cost, and expertise but offer high engagement, longevity, and interactivity. They provide an immersive and interactive experience that can effectively engage and connect with a large audience.
RATING 1-5, 5 BEING THE BEST
3
Expertise
Requires expertise in event planning, marketing, and technical support.
2
Cost
Moderate to high cost, depending on the platform and scale of the event.
2
Time
Significant time investment for planning, promotion, and execution.
5
Engagement
High engagement, with interactive sessions and networking opportunities.
4
Longevity
High interactivity with live Q&A, chat rooms, and networking features.
5
Interactivity
High interactivity with live Q&A, chat rooms, and networking features.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
What are the primary objectives of our virtual conference?
Who is our target audience, and what topics will interest them?
What resources and tools will we need to host and promote the event?
How will we measure the success of the virtual conference?
What will be the follow-up strategy to maintain engagement post-event?
HOW TO MEASURE
Attendance Numbers: Number of registered and actual attendees.
Engagement Metrics: Session participation, chat activity, Q&A interactions, and social media mentions.
Conversion Rates: Number of attendees who take desired actions (e.g., subscribe, make a purchase).
Feedback Scores: Attendee satisfaction ratings and qualitative feedback.
Post-Event Content Views: Number of views and downloads of recorded sessions and materials.
EXAMPLE
Company: Salesforce
Implementation: Salesforce hosts the annual Dreamforce event, which includes a virtual conference component. The event features keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, all accessible online. Salesforce uses a robust virtual platform to deliver high-quality live and pre-recorded content and interactive features like Q&A and chat rooms.
Outcome: The virtual Dreamforce conference successfully engaged a global audience, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities. Attendees appreciated the convenience and accessibility of the virtual format, leading to high satisfaction rates and strong engagement metrics. Salesforce effectively expanded its reach and strengthened its community through this strategy.
By implementing virtual conferences, Salesforce effectively engaged their audience and demonstrated the effectiveness of this content marketing strategy.