Top tips on digitising your events
Our industry saw dramatic change during the global pandemic, with technology and digitalisation at the heart of this, as event planners and marketeers were faced with the challenge of adapting their event and communication plans, faster than ever before.
As the return to face-to-face live events continues to build, the events of today are increasingly being planned using digital tools that have become part of our event strategies, which provides a new understanding of communication.
Here are four simple ways in which digitising your event can transform the outcome.
1. Use digital tools from the get-go
Digital tools enhance the user experience and provide the direct connection between the business and the user. They can include digital event invitations, registration websites, and event App’s.
For example, 59% of hosts believe that online invites are more socially acceptable now than they were before the pandemic.
Always be sure to provide simple and trustworthy digital tools, to ensure attendees can absorb and digest the information you’re sharing with them.
Provide clear signals and aim for seamless functionality, equipping the user with flexible and user-friendly features – this will empower them.
2. Build in networking
Events rely on networking and meaningful connection to be successful.
Why not allow attendees to interact with each other and provide live chat options or Q&A via your event App, as well as utilising social media channels such as Twitter, and using more content in video format, which as we all know has much further reach that static graphics.
This will all work to keep your event community connected both throughout, and after the event.
3. Know your digital event technology
Knowing event technology trends and adopting them, will provide you with a competitive advantage. More recently, these have included:
QR Codes. QR codes are fantastic design additions to physical marketing tools such as printed flyers. They require a strong landing page providing another touch point for attendees and further opportunity for you to reach your audience digitally. QR codes can also be used to organise event registrations.
Digital Photo Booths. You can use virtual photo booths to create and capture branded photos, GIFs, Boomerangs, and short videos of your attendees both in-person and online. Not only will it increase engagement, but it can also be a powerful tool for improving organic SEO when combined with captions and event hashtags.
Virtual Reality Headsets & Holograms. While VR headsets aren’t in every household right now this may be out of your budget right now. However, why not consider adding a VR element for VIPs who can’t travel, or as an add-on experience to your digital events. Holograms are being used to wow attendees, educate, and demo products more and more and they have many uses.
4. Choose event production that delivers more
For event organisers and marketers, event technologies will greatly improve the attendee experience to inspire and delivered heightened engagement.
Choose LED walls over projection. Not only do LED walls consume around half the power of projection, but they also provide an amazing advantage for the contrast and brightness of your content and presentations.
Consider live streaming to a virtual audience. Most businesses are now opting for a hybrid approach to allow delegates who live further afield or are unable to attend in person to attend the event, thus increasing the reach of your event and content up to new audiences and opportunities.
Increase your digital signage. Digital signage allows for dynamic, constantly changing content if desired, attracting attention through bright display, engaging animations, and interactive elements.