How to tackle virtual event marketing in 2021

It’s no secret that virtual event marketing has completely transformed over the past two years. COVID-19 forced organizations, brands and teams to completely rethink event planning. But pandemic or not, we’re all still human—and humans need connection.

That’s why virtual events are taking over.

Here at Communicatto, we’ve always been big fans of virtual events like webinars. As a result, we’ve got tons of virtual event marketing tips that could benefit your organization.

5 virtual event marketing tips:

 

1. Pick an attention-grabbing topic

There is no shortage of virtual events for your audience to attend. If you want them to pick yours, you’ve got to offer up the goods. What is your target audience yearning to learn? Are there new developments in your industry that you can shed some light on? Are you launching a new product, service or initiative?

Once you’ve got their attention, clearly explain what your audience will get by attending. It’s all about managing expectations.

2. Get influencers on board

If you really want to entice audience members, influencer marketing might be the key. Landing a major influencer as your event’s keynote speaker would be a dream come true. But you can still benefit from working with micro influencers (or even the higher-ups in your organization, if they’ve got a bit of a following). Co-marketing with another business is yet another super-effective option.

Whoever you decide to work with, the goal is to make their audience your audience. Just make sure the influencers actually participate in the event – you don’t need to recreate the Fyre Festival.

3. Have your content strategy ready

Leading up to the event, publish blog posts and social media content that amps up anticipation. Give potential attendees a taste of what’s to come – just enough to convince them to join you. And once people actually sign up, send them emails to remind them why this is a can’t-miss event. Remember, signing up for a virtual event is one thing – but actually showing up is another.

4. Aesthetics aren’t everything—but with virtual event marketing, they really help

While paying a graphic designer isn’t an absolute must, producing eye-catching assets for your virtual event will ensure it stands out. Hire a pro or design your own social media graphics, landing page content, ads and more. Whichever route you take, make sure your content looks cohesive, aspirational and on-brand. It might seem superficial, but your audience is going to judge your event based on how your promotional content looks. Why not make a great first impression?

5. Streamline the entire process

From sign-up to the actual event, make it as easy as possible for attendees to join in. Add a landing page to your website with a simple sign-up form, or use a service like Eventbrite. Offering event replay videos adds an extra layer of convenience, and might help increase sign-ups. 

As for the event itself, most people are very familiar with Zoom now, making it a convenient option. But if you’re hosting a large event, other platforms might be a better fit.

If your digital marketing strategy needs a shake up, it could be time to plan a virtual event. But if your marketing efforts need serious help, get in touch with us! We’d love to help your organization’s digital marketing thrive.