Did you know that about 40% of events will be virtual in 2022? That's 5% more than 2021's figures!
Because of the increasing popularity of these events, virtual event production is more important today than ever. Here, we'll discuss this concept and what it means to produce a virtual event. Read on for a run-down on this popular event format and some information on how you can get started.
What Is Virtual Event Production?
It would be wrong to assume that everyone knows what a virtual event is, so here it is. A virtual event is an online and often live-stream experience that lets people interact virtually rather than in person.'
They meet in a digital conference space on the internet instead of at a venue but can still see, hear, and engage with one another. In addition, many virtual events are content-rich, featuring presentations, videos, polls, and other visual aids that attendees can watch and comment on simultaneously.
Virtual event production is the process behind making these events happen. An experienced company sets up the live stream, tests its functionality, hosts the event on a specific platform, and provides additional features and support to the host and attendees.
Why Do You Need Virtual Event Production Services?
Many people opt to produce their own virtual events on platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. However, this is a surefire way to make your event appear like everyone else's and be prone to issues with stability and functionality.
If you don't have a high-level professional production agency working behind the scenes, you could experience issues that you or your team can't quickly fix. You will also miss several branding and sponsorship opportunities without expert branding strategies.
Then there is data. Virtual events produce massive amounts of data to help drive critical decisions and strategies for this and future events. Virtual event experts will aid you in finding the correct data, which will prove invaluable.
Virtual production companies think about the things that might not be at the forefront of your event planning process, especially if your current event technology limits you. As a result, they can provide virtual production teams, graphics and branding packs, event engagement strategies, technical oversight, and live streaming technologies that deliver viewers a clear and uninterrupted experience.
Top-notch providers will also help you embed and extensively test your live stream in your chosen event platform, which can be a challenge for those who aren't trained in virtual events. In addition, experts know precisely how to ensure that the platform runs smoothly.
"If you create a virtual event, you are creating a really intense content creation process. You are capturing information, you are getting live video which is great for drawing in an audience, but you are also capturing recorded video, you're capturing the audience engagement, you are capturing any data voting surveys that you're able to put around that experience. That is a huge amount of information. A huge amount of content is created in the space of an hour." Mike Piddock, Founder of Glisser
How To Optimize Your Virtual Event?
There are several ways to make sure that your virtual event is a success:
Set goals and objectives from the get-go
Decide on who you want to invite
Choose a date and time that works for most attendees
Know and avoid big public holidays in your event's region
Develop an agenda and schedule
Make sure you know who's moderating the event
Promote your event via email and social media (and ask registrants to spread the word)
Know what might go wrong (and prepare to troubleshoot)
Remember, your event will produce a massive amount of content, so have a strategy to best use what you create. A single session has much more value than just being a one-off piece of content.
Make sure to talk to your production provider about your goals and how you can best meet them. Experts can figure out precisely what you need to do to meet your objectives since they have a lot of experience with similar events.
Host a Virtual Event Today
Now that you know the basics of virtual event production and why you need it, it's time to start working with one of the top live event production services.
At Parasol Video, we're committed to helping you stream video, ensure high-quality graphics, and provide accessibility services to your attendees. Contact us with any remaining questions that you have or to start planning your event today.