Since the beginning of 2020, organizations had no choice other than to pivot to virtual events. Today virtual events are still holding strong as we prepare for a post-pandemic world.
There are different types of virtual events you can hold based on your strategy and goals. If you are looking for a highly scalable selling mechanism, webinars are an ideal option. On the other hand, if you are trying to facilitate a remote board meeting, a virtual roundtable would be a better way to collaborate.
Depending on the type of virtual event you host, different project management requirements are needed to ensure a successful event. If you are trying to weigh your options, take our Virtual Event Quiz. We'll suggest the best type of virtual event to host based on your requirements, and we'll provide you with a downloadable Quickstart Guide to begin the planning process.
Over the past several months, Crawford Group has collected virtual event data from marketing directors, managers, and CMO's from around the country. Below you'll find some insights drawn from their responses along with takeaways that you can implement into your organization.
Annual Virtual Events Are Preferred
We've found that the highest-growing demand for virtual events lies in the annual category. With new challenges as we enter post-pandemic planning, the virtual event trend has continued to swing toward yearly events.
Webinars Are The Most Popular Type of Virtual Event
Due to their scalability and ideal format for sales & marketing presentations, webinars have become the dominant virtual event these days.
Tips For Your First Webinar
Pay close attention to the duration of your presentation. Different industries are suited for different webinar durations, days, and times. Remember that although virtual events are on trend, some things don't change, like attendees' average viewing times.
Source:ON24 Webinar Benchmarks Report
Sales/Marketing Events and Team Training Account For Over Half of All Virtual Events
The vast majority of external-facing events aim at generating qualified leads, building revenue, and increasing brand awareness. On the other hand, internal-facing events are focused on building team skills and facilitating better internal communication.
How can you take advantage of this trend?
If you aren't yet hosting a marketing-oriented virtual event, look into hosting monthly sales webinars to attract new leads. They are highly scalable and are designed to fit your brand and your audience's needs.
Download our Webinar Quickstart Guide for more tips for planning your first or next webinar.
Events With Fewer Than 100 Attendees Are Most Popular
Our survey data suggests that events with between 20 and 100 attendees are the most popular. Within this segment, virtual team retreats and webinars are the most common formats.
Virtual events with less than 100 attendees increase the potential for higher engagement levels, such as Q&A sessions, live chat feedback, and polls. Having capped sessions is an ideal strategy for hosting sales-oriented events.
Crawford Group Can Help Plan, Produce, And Execute your Virtual Event
Crawford Group's Virtual Event Services help you take the guesswork out of hosting a virtual event, no matter your experience level. To find out if our services are the right choice for your organization, we'd like to invite you to schedule a short discovery session with one of our team members.
We wish you the best of luck with your next (or first) virtual event. If you're looking for additional valuable resources for virtual events, feel free to explore our Virtual Event Resources page. This page consist of a list of our favorite tools and guides to host a high-quality virtual event of any type.
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