Busting myths about virtual events

Before the CoVid pandemic, few organizations took advantage of virtual events. Those companies ahead of their time ended up being the titans in their industries, sometimes earning a massive ROI from their virtual events

But when CoVid lockdowns hit, most companies scrambled for an alternative to their in-person events, resulting in a massive spike in virtual event uptake. 

During that time, there were some incredible virtual events, with some conferences massively exceeding the company’s expectations. Some virtual conferences fell flat and left a wrong impression on the organization and attendees. 

With these struggles, myths started gaining traction regarding virtual events. Now, with most organizations racing back to their comfort zones with their in-person events, these virtual event myths prevent companies from experiencing virtual conferences’ massive benefits. 

Let’s fix that. Here are four myths about virtual events that we are going to bust!

You can’t monetize virtual events 

Virtual events are easy to monetize! 

There are many different options for effectively monetizing your virtual conference. Here are just a few ideas: 

  • Your virtual conference should provide the same, if not more, value to your attendees, so why would you not charge for tickets? You can use ticket types to create differentiated experiences, including free access to the exhibit hall, paid sessions, or additional costs to access the sessions On Demand for 90 days after the conference. Your options are only limited by the value you can provide to your attendees! 
  • Your sponsors have unique opportunities to get in front of your attendees, so take advantage of sponsorship packages! Take advantage of video advertisements, networking lounges, logo placements, and booth locations to drive more traffic to your sponsors. The more traffic and leads they get, the more likely they will continue sponsoring your events! 

With these two options alone, you should be able to come out way ahead on almost any investment on your platform, especially one that is taking stock of current economic conditions and responding accordingly

Virtual events are just a bunch of pre-recorded videos

Between this and “hybrid events are just live streams,” we are wondering just how many virtual or hybrid conferences people have attended. 

Suppose your virtual event is perceived as just a series of pre-recorded videos. In that case, you’ll never be able to convince your attendees that the event is worth attending, let alone convince them to purchase a ticket! 

Virtual event platforms have many more options than just simulive (or live streamed) videos, even if that is the bulk of the content your attendees will consume. Networking options like Conversation Halls and resource centers in booths can significantly provide value to your attendees. 

People would rather attend in-person events

This was true before 2020. But, as so many things have done during the past two years, this has changed dramatically. Most companies stick to what they are familiar with or think works, and before 2020, that was primarily in-person events. Even then, however, many large conferences were starting to add virtual elements to their conference as they provided some unique features to their attendees. 

Fast forward to 2022, and your attendees have largely changed their minds on how they want to interact with your content. While there are advantages to your in-person events, your attendees, sponsors, and speakers are not wanting to leave their families for seven days at a time, travel across the country, live out of a suitcase in a hotel room, and deal with the hassle of navigating transportation around a different city. 

Your organization must accept the new normal, just like many companies have learned to accept the new normal of remote work. Virtual conferences are not only here to stay, but attendees would broadly prefer to consume content at the most convenient time. Only a virtual event can provide them with that option. 

Virtual events are too complicated to host

We’ve also heard that people think it takes more time to plan a virtual event. This is simply untrue. 

With your in-person events, you have to book a venue, hire vendors and labor, arrange travel accommodations, coordinate transportation, and bring in food, drink, and catering services. 

None of this is necessary for your virtual conference. 

Once you have the platform selected, you can take advantage of a Fully Managed Experience to have the platform build your entire event for you! They’ll even take care of training your speakers and sponsors on how to get the most out of your platform. By doing this, you effectively have brought on a full team member who is an expert at the platform you’ve chosen for no additional cost! 

Your platform doesn’t have a Fully Managed Experience? Why are you still using a platform that can’t provide you with that level of support? At vConferenceOnline, we specialize in that level of support. Click below to schedule a demo today to see how we can help create an incredible virtual conference for your organization while increasing your virtual event revenue. 

Before you go – we are giving you one free Fully Managed event with any annual agreement, but only through the end of July. Click below to schedule a demo to see vConferenceOnline in action, and put “Wifflesnargits” in your note section to get your free Fully Managed event. We’ll be your support for your event and allow you to focus on other ways that you can be irreplaceable for your organization.