Try it free ➔

Tag: networking at virtual events

Categories
virtual trade show

Online Virtual Trade Shows: A New Way to Network

When it comes to networking, we’re all faced with the same fundamental question: how do we best reach and connect with new people? There’s nothing wrong with getting out and meeting people in person, but what about those who don’t have the time or budget for flying across the country or trekking locally? Virtual trade shows are a cost-effective and time-efficient way to network with other business professionals.

Over the past few years, virtual trade shows have emerged as a way for businesses to reach out to new audiences without committing to expensive in-person attendance. On top of this, virtual trade shows allow you to promote your business and product without the need for physical space and supplies.

What Is An Online Virtual Trade Show?

An online trade show is a way to reach a larger market by using the internet to broadcast the event. The trade show can be in many different formats, but it’s generally a video broadcast of a show floor with an announcer describing the booths and products available. Today, there are many platforms for these shows. Platforms range from low tech options like YouTube to Facebook Live. These are inexpensive but offer very few features. To high tech options like Frameable Events which has become one of the more popular choices. Frameable Events offers a wide range of features which help a trade show be successful.

Learn more about Frameable Events trade show features.

Virtual trade shows are a new way to show off products and services to potential clients. In a virtual trade show, the attendees are not physically present but view the presentations from their computers. As a result, they can browse from anywhere without having to be at a specific location. These trade shows are also more cost-effective than traditional ones because the only cost is for hosting fees which can be less than $1,000.

Benefits Of Online Virtual Trade Shows

It is common to have a stand-alone booth for a company at a trade show to promote its product or service in many industries. However, this is not always the best idea. Many trade shows have been replaced with virtual shows, where you can display products, and staff from different companies can view each other. According to a study by AT Kearney, “Exhibitors who participate in an event’s virtual component rather than a physical one report higher levels of sales leads.

Getting the word out about your business has never been easier or more accessible to so many people than it is today. With all of the advancements in technology and the advent of the internet, companies can reach a global audience that was virtually impossible in decades past. The traditional trade show model has been an industry standard for years, but there is a new option: the online virtual trade show with technological advances.

How To Choose An Online Virtual Trade Show Platform

Many emerging companies are using virtual trade shows as a method of generating leads and increasing sales. Virtual trade show platforms such as VTS, Digital Muster, and Frameable Events allow customizable options to best suit your business needs. The event’s details, such as the times and locations, can be set up in advance on these platforms.

Considerations In Choosing An Online Virtual Trade Show Platform

A virtual trade show is a live-streamed event that is hosted online. It’s a great way to showcase event services and products to an international audience. However, with so many different platforms out there, it can be challenging to find the right one for your company. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect platform for your needs:

  • Do you need audio and video streaming capabilities?
  • Do you need onsite chat moderation?

International trade shows can be expensive and time-consuming. To make the process less daunting, consider the following considerations in choosing an online virtual trade show platform:

  • Security features
  • Reliability
  • Analytics
  • Scheduling ability
  • Content management
  • Social media integration

What are the costs of hosting an online virtual trade show?

The costs of hosting an online virtual trade show can vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of the event. It’s important to consider the cost of these services, and how you can save money on hosting an event by using available tools.

The internet is a great way to find new customers and boost your company’s business. However, it can also be expensive if not done correctly. Hosting an online virtual trade show might seem like the perfect solution because there are no travel costs or convention center rental fees, but expenses can still add up.

Which type of trade show do you want to organize?

If you’re looking to organize a trade show, you need to figure out the type of event you want. There are three different types: regional, national and international. Regional events are typically for businesses in the same region and provide them with the opportunity to network and collaborate with other local businesses. National events span across a greater geographical area, making it easier for potential customers to attend.

Other considerations in choosing an online trade show platform

With the emergence of online trade shows, choosing the right platform can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it is crucial to consider your current needs and your anticipated future needs when choosing which platform best fits your business. When considering current needs, you should consider how much content you need to share, whether or not you will be bringing exhibitors on to interact with attendees, and what size you would like the final presentation to be.

In addition to the three primary considerations when choosing an online trade show platform, several other factors may need to be considered. For instance, if one is looking for a solution to help boost their company’s search engine optimization, it’s essential to know whether or not the site will include a features for SEO. It might also be pertinent to consider the amount of automation desired.

Frameable Events provides a fantastic suite of tools for anyone looking to host a virtual trade show. Book a demo today to get started.

Categories
virtual events

5 Easy But Effective Ways to Drive Engagement During Your Virtual Event

Man attending a virtual event on his laptop, smiling and taking notes

It’s not enough just to check the box on having networking functionality available for your virtual event attendees. To truly deliver on the engaged attendee experience they expect, you have to make sure you prime them for the engagement opportunities you have in store for them.

That means regardless of what specific networking options you choose to offer at your virtual event, you need to over-communicate and promote these engagement opportunities both well in advance of and during the event.

Understand that your attendees will only read a small portion of the pre-event materials you send. This makes it critical to promote all the available networking opportunities whenever possible to increase the likelihood of attendees finding them. Here are five of the most effective—and easy—communications to get your virtual event networking off to a great start.

Highlight Engagement Opportunities on The Event Website

Even when prospective attendees are first exploring your conference, you want to amplify your event’s networking opportunities. We recommend creating a dedicated page to explain how attendees can network, the associated channel(s) they can access, and which hashtag(s) they should follow.

Include Networking Prompts in Pre-event Emails

Include a section in all of your pre-event communications that details how attendees can network with one another. Link to any relevant group pages or sites available to facilitate conversations, and also share which event hashtag attendees should use across platforms.

Promote Virtual Networking Activities in Event Transitions

At the end of sessions and during breaks, display a transition slide that explains what session is next, where attendees need to go, what time, and how they can connect with their peers. This is just as valuable during a virtual event as it is during those held in-person as it helps attendees optimize their time.

Add Networking Hashtags to Event Branding

Digital event platforms have several areas to customize to match your branding. If possible, include the event hashtag in a visible spot on your event platform, and promote any sites or pages that attendees should visit for more information.

Use Social Media as An Attendee Engagement Channel

Promote the event across your social media channels, including reminders of upcoming sessions, where attendees can access critical resources, and highlights from the sessions. You should pre-schedule general promotion tweets and have one or two team members (depending on your event and team size) available during the conference to keep posting content and monitoring for questions. Additionally, provide conference speakers with a few pre-approved posts that they can easily share to promote the event’s various networking opportunities. 

For more ideas on promoting your virtual event’s networking opportunities and other strategies for creating an engaging attendees experience, download our e-Book “How to Host Virtual Networking Sessions People Will Love.”

Make every hybrid event a success

Book a demo
Categories
virtual events

7 Virtual Networking Options to Wow Attendees at Your Next Virtual Event

Man networking at a virtual event

After you weigh the pros and cons of your various platform options and find the best choice for your needs, you can more thoroughly map out your event engagement opportunities. 

Start by revisiting your platform’s built-in networking components and reviewing which of your team’s existing channels or groups can also support this event’s networking and engagement needs. Consider any of these options as a potential area for networking at your event:

  • Live chat tools alongside a session (part of the platform), where attendees can ask questions to the presenter or engage with each other
  • Dedicated messaging channels on third-party sites/services (Slack, etc.), which can include channels for each conference track
  • Private Facebook (or similar social network) group for event registrants (and be sure to have a moderator ready to strike up a conversation)
  • Open video conference rooms before or after the event for attendees to hang out
  • Hashtags across social media platforms for cohesion and to aggregate conversations
  • Moderated networking rooms led by community veterans where attendees can stop in and talk to each other
  • Round table/”birds of a feather” video chat rooms

Create a Diverse Mix of Virtual Event Networking Options

A successful event strategy will blend the various networking options described above, meaning your team needs adequate support to promote the networking opportunities, monitor the multiple networking areas, staff rooms and act as a host to connect fellow attendees and provide conversation starters when needed. 

Depending on your event type, consider asking customers, partners, and trusted community members if they can support — or even host — these networking rooms. Allow your trusted partners to take ownership of their networking rooms and create unique experiences that can meet attendee needs while also providing a value add to the partner for their help.

For more ideas on making your next digital event the most engaging ever, download “How to Host Virtual Networking Sessions People Will Love,” a new e-Book from the Social hour team. 

Make every hybrid event a success

Book a demo
Make every hybrid event a success
Book a demo