For most virtual event companies, a virtual event is successful when they have achieved the success metrics they have identified and the team is able to build meaningful relationships that benefit the business. However, there is a distinction between events you hosted yourself and a sponsored one.
For events that you hosted with the help of virtual event companies, you also need to consider the experience you have provided to your audience. For sponsored events, you need to consider the leads the event has generated. This is considered important especially in growth markets.
Below are some of the things that makes a successful virtual event:
You hit your success metrics.
Some of the typical success metrics for virtual events include:
- MQLs generated
- Net new leads generated
- Sales pipeline
- Number of deals closed
Depending on the kind of virtual event you are hosting, other metrics might be added including:
- Press coverage during and after the event
- Number of new ambassadors acquired
- The number of new company reviews generated
- The amount of sponsorship revenue generated
It is important that success metrics are pre-determined and should be communicated to all the stakeholders. This is important so everyone involved in the event will know their roles and can be held accountable.
You provide a great experience for your audience.
In this day and age, your audience expects nothing less than a great and unforgettable experience. With all the technical innovations nowadays, the expectations of consumers are also higher. Many virtual events will target people that are familiar with your company but are still not convinced to purchase your products or services yet.
However, if you deliver an exceptional virtual event, it can help effectively convince them that you are selling a great product or service. Also, when you provide an unforgettable virtual experience, you can also make participants of the event feel important and welcome.
There are no technical issues.
One of the contributing factors to any successful virtual event is successfully delivering one without any technical glitches or issues. For events that you host yourself, technical issues are more likely the bigger your audience is. For events with a thousand or more attendees, ensuring there are no technical issues can be tricky.
If you will host a virtual conference, it is important that you plan to onboard event visitors. You can provide a simple video or a guided virtual tour that explains everything. If you are participating in a virtual event through sponsorship, technical issues can come from both sides—from the attendees and the event organizer.
You are able to deliver great value to your audience.
A virtual event is considered successful if the audience gets great value from the event. Value can mean different things for many people. For instance:
- They learned actionable information
- They were inspired by the keynote sessions
- They built valuable relationships with peers
When hosting a virtual event, always think what’s in it for your audience? Only when you have a clear understanding of what you want your audience to get out of the event will you be able to position your event successfully. To measure value, send the participants a post-event survey.
You got great feedback.
If participants of your virtual event gave you great feedback, then that’s a good sign. When getting feedback, ensure everyone that you are open to what they have to share. If you receive criticism of any kind, don’t act defensive. Instead, figure out how you can improve things so the experience is better the next time around.