As we continue to navigate life during a global pandemic (for the third year in a row!), many aspects of our lives have had to adapt to this sudden change, including how we host events. While hybrid events have been around long before the pandemic, event hosts have had to transform hybrid events for the better as these ways of gathering are becoming the norm.
At DoubleShot Creative, we explored where to start when hosting a virtual event and the dos and don’ts that come with it. Now it’s time to discuss how to make the best of your event and how to cater to your in-person and virtual audience.
Read more about the four ways to make the best of your hybrid event:
Balance is key
When hosting a hybrid event, it’s essential that the agenda is reasonably balanced, as you are catering to in-person and virtual attendees. Before planning, establish common ground between your audience members by defining what they want from their event experience.
For example, your in-person audience will likely be focused on the action that is going on at the event and won’t require a lot of hand-holding. Conversely, your virtual audience will need more attention through increased engagement via live polling or Q&As.
Make everyone feel included
According to Markletic, 71.1% of event organizers say connecting the in-person and virtual audience is their biggest challenge. Remember, hosting a successful hybrid event requires optimizing the event to fit both audiences’ expectations and needs.
By creating valuable content, fostering engagement, and creating networking opportunities, you can create valuable content and encourage in-person and virtual attendees involved in the hybrid event to interact with each other.
If you need ways to create a more interactive environment for your virtual audience, check out these fun and engaging tips from Jon Finch.
Digital footprint = prolonged engagement
Offering the content from your hybrid event on-demand can promote longer engagement, allow attendees to take breaks between sessions, and ensure participants worldwide can view the event during a time that is convenient for them.
Apple’s special events are a great example. At their 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference, they successfully hosted a hybrid event where participants joined in person at Apple Park, and virtual participants streamed the pre-recorded keynote.
Worst-case scenario
For any event, whether virtual, in-person, or hybrid, being prepared for anything can make or break the experience for the hosts and attendees. Ensure all of your electronic devices are fully charged and have a strong internet connection.
Do a few test runs on the physical venue and virtual platforms by playing out different scenarios. Create a checklist of concerns or questions during the mock run to keep track of everything.
While it’s essential to ensure everything goes smoothly, we are all still human and make mistakes, so remember to give yourself grace when hosting your events.
