Tags – Getting Engagement on Online Events
Since the pandemic started, the number of online events has gone through the roof.
This means that if you want your online event to be memorable and useful, you need to do more than just present great content.
In return, you need to hold people’s attention, especially when they can easily start scrolling their phone or just walk away without you ever realising.
Add the fact that many people sign up but do not show up, while others can walk away at various times while the online event is still going on, and the problems start multiplying.
In fairness, we need to accept the reality of online events and not get discouraged, while being creative and persuasive.
You need to make your agenda sharp and bring in action points that will not only compel your audience to stay but to even take notes.
And if you know that some people will not show up, simply record your event and still send it to them after the event. Who knows what could this extra step lead to!
More specifically, you can take these 4 steps to make your online events more engaging and worthwhile.
1. Focus on Your Audio Quality
Imagine showing up to an event and not understanding a single word that is being said.
I had a similar experience recently, in a physical event nonetheless, where I could not understand half the things that were being said. So, instead of listening to what was happening, I continued to network and get value out of the evening that way.
On digital, online events, the only value is in understanding the content. And for that to happen, you need to make sure that your audio is of a high enough quality.
2. Walk Your Audience Through
It is wishful thinking that your audience has come mentally prepared for your content.
Chances are that your audience was in a completely different state of mind 5 minutes before joining. They could have been working, eating, even sleeping; that is the reality of most online events.
And the brain needs to be switched towards the content you are about to throw at them.
So, think of your start, your transformations, and how you are going to hold the hands of your audience and walk them through.
Anything that doesn’t add to the flow of your content needs to be eliminated.
For example, when doing our SEO event, we go through the 3 main ingredients that we see as helpful for ranking on search engines. Over time, we have eliminated the 200 or so other small bits you need to do to rank. Of course, if someone asks about them at the end, we can answer. But, we know well that SEO efforts need to be directed mostly towards these said 3 steps.
As a result, people at the end of our events feel like the burden of treating SEO as rocket science has been lifted. And they have a clearer understanding of where they need to spend their time.
3. Demonstrate That You Understand
There is no point in throwing content at people that they do not feel connected to.
If you know that there is an estate agent in your audience, we will compare SEO to acquiring premium land.
Similarly, if most of the people in your audience have a university degree, why not compare good content writing to writing a report or an essay.
Not only do people feel more connected to such examples, they can also relate to the experience, connecting it back to their own knowledge, and understand your content better.
4. Manage Questions
This is a tricky one.
It’s all well and good to say that all questions should be kept for the end. But what if you were not clear on something.
And, if you did not clarify a point in the middle of your content somewhere, chances are that the audience will not understand anything that comes next, or simply lose interest. You don’t want any of this to happen.
So, have at least 3 spots in the middle of your content where you prompt your audience to ask any questions.
In any case, be welcoming to questions. Even throw in a couple of your own to keep the audience engaged (and awake).
The best case scenario is: when someone asks a question after a couple of slides and you point at the fact that the next slide answers exactly that same question. It will show that you have anticipated potential queries, gotten into the shoes of the audience, and are really driven by being helpful.
Concluding Remarks
At the end of your online event, always include an action that your audience can take.
This can be anything from welcoming personal questions to details of other content that you regularly share.
And above all, make sure that you connect back with the audience members, especially the potential leads. Chances are: this is where you will get the sales.
To learn more, get in touch with us today.
In the meantime, please check our digital marketing services.
You may also find the following 2 videos we have produced:
- Why You Should be Running Free Events:
- How to Get People to Come to Your Events?
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