I recently participated in a tweetchat sponsored by TS2 Show and hosted by Danalynne Wheeler of Sybase. The purpose was to chat about virtual events, but started off by speculating if face-to-face events will be replaced by virtual events. My answer is NO…but we live in an instant access and constantly connected society that allows them to exist together.
In reviewing my tweets after the tweetchat, I realized that they composed a short guidebook to virtual events.
We started off by introducing ourselves:
Hi everyone! I’m Emilie Barta…host/emcee for live, virtual, & hybrid events. Looking forward to tweetchatting with you! #ts2show
The first question asked why virtual events are important:
Virtual #events allow you to expand your audience as well as reach an audience you didn’t even know existed. #ts2show
So will never replace…but are a wonderful compliment. #ts2show
Then TS2Show asked me a question about the benefit of combining a virtual event with a face-to-face event, i.e. a hybrid event:
ts2show : @EmilieBarta You host virtual events…how do you see them as fitting in with F2F? #ts2show
ts2show : How do you keep virtual events from turning would be attendees into virtual participants? #ts2show
My reply:
Virtual attendees are people who are not able to attend F2F, so you are not losing them…you are gaining them. #ts2show
F2F events will never go away because of the touch/feel aspect. #ts2show
But virtual in conjunction with F2F gives more attendees an opportunity to experience something, rather than nothing. #ts2show
Exhibitors who do ANYTHING virtual in addition to their exhibit on the show floor reach a greater audience. #ts2show
The conversation then turned to the best ways to promote virtual events:
apfick :What I would like to know is the different ways people attract new attendees to their Virtual Seminars (VS)? #ts2show
By using your existing database to invite peeps u know & social media to invite those u don’t. #ts2show
ts2show :@EmilieBarta Great idea to leverage social media to take your virtual opportunity viral #ts2show
Thanks @ts2show! #ts2show
apfick :@EmilieBarta What social media do you find most effective and for which industries? #ts2show
Twitter, Facbook, & LinkedIn are the 3 I recommend…work for all industries in my opinion. #ts2show
apfick :@EmilieBarta I am working on selling the idea to my supervisor. Do you find it hard to have people follow you on Twitter? #ts2show
Not if you have a “clear, concise, & consistent message” & tweet about your topic…tweeps will find you. #ts2show
And don’t forget to take advantage of hashtags! #ts2show
And it is always nice when a real world real-time example occurs:
RT @ts2show: @VisionExpo Agreed! Position yourself as a key player and knowledge source in the industry! ME: And then they will come! #ts2show
dwheeler11 : @EmilieBarta is an excellent example of how to best use social media to educate, interact and gain followers (I follow her!) #ts2show
@dwheeler11 Aw…thanks!! ;o) #ts2show
Of course we always want to avoid a disastrous virtual event:
VisionExpo : Seen a virtual event not do well & why? What are lessons learned? #ts2show
Virtual events that aren’t successful…why? Because they did not ENGAGE the virtual audience!!!!!!! #ts2show
dwheeler11 It all goes back to the ‘know your audience’ and ‘keep your content focused & relevant’. Plus, don’t overwhelm ppl with technology #ts2show
Always remember to keep it short, sweet, & simple! ;o) #ts2show
And never forget to educate your attendees on how to participate in the virtual events…quick demo video or virtual event emcee. #ts2show
If the attendees don’t know how to participate in the virtual event, they will get frustrated & walk away. #ts2show
“Some great leads, just shy!” No matter if virtual or F2F, u must have “staffers” who welcome attendees/make them feel comfortable. #ts2show
I love the way Danalynne wrapped up the chat:
ts2show : As we move to end this chat @dwheeler11: what is the key takeaway when planning virtual events? #ts2show
dwheeler11 :@ts2show – Know your audience and tailor content to them. Be engaging and informative. Promote in multiple channels including SM #ts2show
dwheeler11 :And remember people have short attention spans! #ts2show
So what do you think? Will face-to-face events be replaced by virtual events? If you were a part of the TS2 Show tweetchat, what were your takeaways?
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[...] TS2 recently held a Twitter Chat session on virtual events and participant, Emilie Barta, Professional Trade Show Presenter, participated and blogged about the topic. Check it out here. [...]
Thanks for the recap. Great discussion on the TweetChat. Looking forward to seeing you face-to-face!
It was a great discussion, wasn’t it Shauna? And now that we have met virtually…I can’t wait to meet you F2F!!
[...] June 15, 2010 I recently participated in a tweetchat sponsored by TS2 Show and hosted by Danalynne Wheeler of Sybase. The purpose was to chat about virtual events, but started off by speculating if face-to-face events will be replaced by virtual events. My answer … Continue reading … [...]
No, F2F events will NEVER be replaced by virtual events! Virtuals are merely an extension and expansion of human interaction. In fact, as noted in this Trendwatching.com Briefing for June 2010, F2F is gaining in popularity because of a new trend called “Mass Mingling.” See the article here: http://trendwatching.com/trends/massmingling/
Thanks, as always, for exploring important issues that affect everyone in the tradeshow and events industry!
Thank you for your comments and the link to the article on mass mingling, Heidi! I completely agree with what the article says about human interaction being so sought after these days…and love that so many of these F2F interactions are born out of virtual introductions. After all, that is how we met!
And that fact proves my point that virtual events are necessary to expand your audience and introduce you to new people who then become part of your personal or professional circle.
So I am proud to say that I love F2F events…I love virtual events…and I love hybrid events!!
Thanks for sharing. Interesting chat. We’re also seeing a lot of interest in hybrid events from event organizers looking to protect their franchise, but successfully driving virtual attendance remains a marketing challenge. What have you seen that’s work?
Thank you for your comment and your question, John! If you are referring to creating your audience for your virtual event, you have 2 different groups to “solicit”…the people you know and the people you don’t know.
As we discussed in the chat, you “invite” the people you know through email blasts, post cards, phone calls, and the like. It is best to invite the people you don’t know through social media efforts such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, a landing page on your website, and any other industry or location based websites or groups that apply.
If you offer something of value and promote the heck out of it, you will create your virtual audience. Just remember to have a clear, concise, and consistent message that you repeat, repeat, and repeat again! And don’t forget to continue the conversation after the virtual event is complete and use the momentum to expand your audience for your next event. People are not afraid to “talk” on social media platforms, so if you give them something positive to talk about, they will help you grow your audience.
Hope that helps!!