You need the right tools to make sure that your live event will be successful. Fortunately, there are countless software solutions to choose from. Whether you plan on hosting a virtual live event or a hybrid one, there is surely a live or virtual events platform that is right for you. However, searching for the right solution can be an overwhelming task especially if you have no idea what to look out for. It gets even more complicated considering how each platform offers a unique set of features that you can use to create engaging and unique experiences for your live events.
What is a live events platform?
Live video content is one of the most popular types of content online. According to Statista, online users spent more than 480 billion hours watching live streaming on their smartphones and other devices. As a result, organizers and businesses are also joining in the trend of hosting virtual live events or even hybrid ones.
If you want to host live events online, then what you need is a live events platform or a virtual event platform for the job. It is a type of software solution that makes your events accessible through digital means—complete with audio, visual, and interactive elements. This includes webinars, concerts, social events, company-wide meetings, product launches, and exhibits. Some virtual events platforms even allow for real-time video experiences so that participants can feel more immersed and engaged with the event.
You can also use live events platforms to manage the administrative side of your event planning such as ticketing, registration, and bookings. This helps simplify the process and allows you to focus on the preparations for the actual event itself.
Benefits to look out for
With planning to continue holding virtual events in 2022, it’s time that you invest in a virtual events platform. It’s common for businesses to use video conferencing tools for casual events. However, this is not the best option if you are planning a large-scale and interactive virtual event. If that’s the case, then what you need now is a virtual events platform.
These platforms are designed specifically to help your events flourish digitally. It is different from tools like a video conferencing tool or a webinar software platform since it makes your virtual events more engaging and immersive. In fact, most virtual events platforms are high-powered, all-around software solutions that can handle large-scale live events. In a way, its ultimate goal is to bring the people into that moment as if they are really present at the event. Hence, it’s a great tool not only for purely virtual events but also for hybrid live events.
Another benefit to investing in a virtual events platform is the chance to personalize your participants’ experience with the event. It gives them more freedom to choose how they want to access your event. They can choose to join in interactive activities such as polls, virtual meetups, discussion rooms, Q&A sessions, and more. On the other hand, they can also choose to focus on the event itself rather than mingle with other participants.
Most importantly, a live events platform also allows you to extract and analyze data from your events. This gives you insights into the event and its participants which you can use later on to improve future events. For example, you can analyze your participants’ behaviors during the event to determine what activities were most popular. You can then carry these activities over to your next event and highlight them so that participants can easily join in the fun. Likewise, this feature also determines the weak points of your events so that you can avoid them later on.
Important features to consider
Every virtual events platform has something unique to offer to organizers and businesses. With so many to choose from, you can find yourself overwhelmed. Nonetheless, there are some essential features that you need to consider when picking the right one for you. To help you narrow down your list, here are some of the must-have features for your virtual events platform.
1. Customization
The key to holding unique and engaging virtual live events is customization. The best virtual event platforms allow you to tailor your events according to how you want them and how you envision them. This ensures that your brand shines through and your event stands out from others.
Customization comes in many forms. It can refer to the themes and layout for your live event. It also includes what activities you will add to your events. Likewise, it also refers to what other features you plan on using during the event itself. Most event platforms allow you to mix and match what interactive elements you want to include in your event. For example, you can provide breakout spaces to allow your participants to chat with other participants. You can also create separate rooms where small groups of people can discuss. Likewise, you can have a live chat alongside your livestream.
This feature also allows you to create personalized virtual experiences for participants. This gives them more options on how they want to experience your event. This includes choosing the device they will be using to access the event, who they will be interacting with, and how they want to be notified about the event.
2. Engagement tools
The lack of face-to-face interaction in digital events makes it challenging to keep participants engaged with the event. Fortunately, virtual events platforms offer interactive and immersive tools to make your live event interesting
For example, you can gamify your events using the platform. This allows you to incorporate competitive and gaming elements into your live events to keep your participants on their toes. You can also give away rewards and prices just like in any traditional live event.
Other engagement tools to look out for are communication channels so that participants can mingle with other participants in the events. This also helps recreate that same social atmosphere that traditional live events have. And with the rise of technologies such as augmented/virtual realities (AR/VR), you can make your live events even more immersive and realistic.
3. Event management tools
Another important feature to look out for is end-to-end event management tools. The best event platforms do more than just make your events accessible online. It can also serve as a platform where you manage the nitty-gritty of your events. This includes tools such as:
- Ticketing and booking system
- Registration
- Lead management
- Event promotion and marketing
- Announcements
- Community management
4. Data analytics and reporting
Live events platforms are also equipped with data analytics and reporting features. This allows you to monitor real-time analytics on user behavior and content performance. This way, you can determine how best to adapt to the demands of your target audience and the trends in the market.
Through data, live events platforms are revolutionizing the events industry. It helps organizers understand their audience better to drive engagement up and refine their content. Moreover, it ensures that your brand remains relevant and competitive in the market.
5. Integrations
Integration capability is also an essential feature for your virtual events platform. This connects your platform to other applications you use in your organization, making it easier to transfer data without affecting its integrity.
A great software to integrate with your virtual events software is customer relationship management or CRM software. To give you an idea of what is CRM software and some examples, it is a software that allows you to manage customer data and keep tabs on their engagement with your brand. Integrating your events platform with CRM software allows you to store information about past participants, making it easier to reach out to them about your future events.
Choosing the right solution for you
Even as the world enters the new normal, virtual events are here to stay. You would need the right tool to make sure that your live events can flourish in the digital space. But choosing the right solution is more than just going over a list of virtual platforms. You must also consider your brand’s needs and your customers’ demands. So don’t just settle for what is popular. Find a live events platform that fits your brand.
