Virtual events are still relative newcomers to the events industry, having established themselves only in the last couple of years as an emerging type of experience. But being new, their formats and features are still evolving, and what can work as a virtual event is ever-changing. A virtual approach opens up many possibilities but may leave you wondering which virtual event ideas to pursue.
To make things easier, we’ve broken down our best virtual events into different categories – themes, such as music, food, and games, or occasions, such as social, corporate, and party. And to refine your search further, the rating system underneath each idea covers the following components:
Complexity from 1 (least complex) to 4 (most complex)
Cost from £ to ££££
Popularity from ★ (least popular) to ★★★★ (most popular)
Table of contents
Virtual promotional event ideas
Virtual workshop & webinar ideas
Virtual conference ideas
1. ConfEx
A ConfEx is part conference, part exhibition. As you’d imagine, there’s a heavy emphasis on talks and learning, with many exhibitors offering smaller presentations and opportunities for connecting in person or online.
Doing it well:
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust ran the UK Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Trials conference online.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★
2. Congress
Congresses generally refer to formal meetings between politicians, government representatives, and professional organisations. Many conferences also use the term “congress” to sound more official. Turn your conference of business professionals into a congress to underline the importance of decisions to be made.
Doing it well:
The College of Animal Welfare held a virtual Nutrition Congress for veterinary nurses to advance their knowledge of animal nutrition.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
3. Unconference
Unlike conferences, unconferences focus on a specific theme with no pre-formed agenda. Attendees usually decide the topics for discussion at the start of the day (or virtual session) and then self-regulate as the event progresses.
Doing it well:
Rosalie – Rituals Today host Death Cafe North London on Zoom – an event filled with thought-provoking, life-affirming, and liberating conversations about mortality. There’s no agenda, theme, or set conclusions, but rather a group-directed discussion.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
Virtual contest ideas
Fun virtual events can happen over several days or months – especially challenges or competitions. Organise a virtual race or exercise challenge where participants log their activity, with particular goals achieved by meeting defined thresholds. Create merch, like t-shirts or exercise bands, that guests can use during the challenge.
4. Debate
Witnessing talented, passionate debaters can make a huge impression. Virtual debates lend credibility to causes and get spectators questioning their original assumptions.
Doing it well:
Check out HCP Ed – UK Menopause Myths – Let’s Settle the Debate.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
5. Endurance race
Endurance events are individual feats of endurance where you race against yourself to complete the distance. The most common forms involve running, cycling, and swimming (or all three). Or try:
- Dancing at home for 24 hours
- Yogathons, with participants practicing yoga for as long as possible
- Exercise biking or treadmilling for a set number of miles
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
6. Hackathon
When you bring together programmers, designers, and other digital professionals and ask them to build a prototype within a set time, you’ve got yourself a hackathon. The stereotype is that they’re fueled by pizza, caffeine, beer, and a little know-how.
Doing it well:
Global Hacks, Hack+ host an annual global hackathon aimed at promoting a higher level of education and diversity in STEM.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
7. Pitch
The format is usually a rapid-fire session of startups or speakers pitching to the audience or a panel of experts, usually to win a prize. Try one of these formats:
- Product pitch, similar to the TV series “Dragon’s Den”, in which contestants pitch new product ideas to a panel of venture capitalists
- Movie or TV series pitch, where aspiring filmmakers present ideas for the next blockbuster to Hollywood insiders
- Estate agent pitch, where estate agents learn about properties about to hit the market and offer valuations
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
8. Talent or variety show
Entrants compete to demonstrate their unique talent in front of an audience and judging panel. Hold it through a virtual platform like Zoom or Vimeo. Talent can include:
- Musicians performing either solo or in small groups
- Dancers in a studio or on stage
- Magicians, illusionists, and mentalists
- Stand-up comics, improv acts, and comedy sketches
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
Virtual corporate event ideas
Many corporations have offices or employees across the globe, so virtual corporate experiences bring everyone together no matter where they are. Use them to reinforce company messaging, keep teams in communication, and offer a change of pace to the workday grind. We’ve put together some fun virtual event ideas for work that feel more like play.
9. Breakfast briefing
Use a morning event when there’s an announcement or launch to present. It’s great for reaching a business audience that’s unavailable during office hours or after work.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
10. Forum
A forum works well for debates and airing opinions – it’s associated with legal and political proceedings and often imbues a sense of importance. Corporate events that might fit a forum format include discussions of corporate strategic goals among top executives or a “state of the industry” debate with outside experts.
Doing it well:
Ultimate Landlord hold monthly online property investment forums to help participants network with like-minded investors.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
11. Interview or fireside chat
For those who want a keynote speaker but can’t invest the time in creating a presentation, organise a simple chat or interview. Set up a microphone and camera, and ask questions you and your audience want to be answered.
Doing it well:
- Covid Circle, Covid Collective, UKCDR and IDS have A Fireside Chat – The Impact of Evidence in a Pandemic
- DiSH Manchester – At this Fireside Chat participants hear from Barclays, Lancaster University, Plexal, and the University of Manchester about the opportunity for the digital security industry across Greater Manchester, and how DiSH MCR will be supporting business growth and individual skills generation.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
12. Panel discussion with industry experts
Bring together a group of influencers or experts to discuss a contemporary topic. Throw in a moderator and a series of questions from the audience, and you’ve got yourself a panel.
Doing it well:
Autism and Complex Needs Special Interest Group facilitated an online panel discussion on the complex needs of older adults with autism.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
13. Q&A with an industry influencer
Invite an expert speaker, join up with an influencer your guests would love, or host a celebrity for a Q&A. Booking big-name talent for online events is easier than ever – no matter your location.
Doing it well:
Orange Beak Studio regularly host online talks and Q&As with illustrators and authors.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
14. Roundtable
Similar to a panel discussion but typically including audience participation, a roundtable gathers industry leaders to discuss current hot topics. Before you host, make sure you know how to run a successful roundtable discussion.
Doing it well:
Ksenia Droben Matchmaking host round table events aimed at helping singles find love and relationships.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
Virtual expo ideas
A virtual expo is much like an in-person expo introducing and showcasing new products in a particular industry or sector. These events tend to centre on the latest trends and developments and often include product premieres, thought-leader Q&As, and teasers of upcoming attractions.
15. Consumer show or fair
These are usually big events featuring vendors selling their products or services, all linked by a specific theme or related to the same industry. Online shows are perfect for marketing homeware, travel opportunities, or electronics.
Doing it well:
Take inspiration from the First Step into the WeedoVerse Virtual Event organised by WeedoVerse.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: £££
- Popularity: ★★★
16. Fandom gathering
These unique virtual events focus on fans of a particular part of popular culture – usually subcultures such as science fiction, anime, gaming, or cult TV series.
Doing it well:
The Guardian Live’s recent Book Club featured Neil Gaiman, author of the groundbreaking graphic novel “The Sandman”.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
17. Digital tour
Share historical sites, museums, or other attractions with a virtual audience through an online tour. Put together a slideshow with high-quality photos, stream a live video tour, or pre-record a tour video you can reuse and repurpose. Give attendees the option to donate to your organisation or tip their virtual tour guide.
Doing it well:
World Virtual Tour explored destinations such as the Salvador Dali Museum, Nairobi National Park, and the Tomb of the Pharaonic Queen Meresankh III outside Cairo.
Rating:
- Complexity: 4
- Cost: ££££
- Popularity: ★★★★
18. Exhibition or trade show
Trade shows are similar to consumer fairs but aimed at professionals selling high-value B2B goods or services. These can vary in size and complexity, depending on the industry.
Doing it well:
Actors Pro Expo runs actor-focused trade shows during the year to help talent meet and mix with industry professionals.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
19. Fashion show
Showcase the latest styles and trends. Recreate a runway with music and flashing lights, or lean into the intimacy of an online event with a quieter, closer look at what’s new. How about putting the spotlight on historical fashion?
Doing it well:
The trio of women known as History Wardrobe celebrated the teamwork of painter Gustav Klimt and dress designer Emily Flöger with historical dressmaker Meridith Towne.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
Virtual fundraiser ideas
Plan a fun virtual event that also raises funds for your not-for-profit organisation. You can incorporate many different virtual event ideas into a fundraising event, whether it’s interactive, informational, or for pure entertainment. If your organisation isn’t a not-for-profit, why not donate a portion of your profits to the cause of your choice, or give attendees the option to donate?
20. Silent auction
Virtual or in-person bids are in a closed box, with no one knowing how much anyone has bid. The box is unlocked, and the highest bid wins. These events can be stand-alone but are commonly part of larger fundraising and celebratory events.
Doing it well:
Check out Grand Arcade Dinky Present Hunt Auction.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★
21. Charity awareness webinar
Teach guests about your nonprofit organisation and cause with an informational webinar. Tailor your content to educate attendees about what your organisation does and how they can support you with their time or donations. Remember to include a post-event suggestion to donate to your cause, helping to raise funds.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
22. Film screening
Virtual screenings can be a surprisingly diverse and flexible way to raise money for charity, from “Saturday nights at the movies” events to exclusive documentary screenings.
Doing it well:
An event by Steven McKenzie & Michael McKenzie centred around the screening of the award-winning short film, Be-Longing.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
23. Virtual gala
Raise funds for your charity or cause by letting attendees bid on auction items. Consider adjusting your ticket prices to account for the fact the event isn’t in person, and organise an online auction for donated products and experiences.
Doing it well:
Hindus for Human Rights “A Celebration of Hope” 2022 gala featured a Portland-based DJ and Carnatic singers, messages from human rights defenders, and Swami Agnivesh Memorial Award winners
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
Virtual party ideas
Bring friends or strangers together to have fun, relax, and celebrate. Attendees don’t even need to leave their homes – they can party virtually. Try something similar to the following or explore more party ideas.
24. Dance, ball, or disco
Ballroom dancing or clubbing? The number of events revolving around a dance floor is limitless.
Doing it well:
- Host and DJ Cynthia set up a dayglo dance floor and invite friends to shake it to the music of Duran Duran, Culture Club, Prince, and more with her free online 80s dance parties
- DJ Skooch hosts a morning “Wake and Rave” dance party for a groovy, high-energy start to the day
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
25. Festival
Festivals are often music-focused but can be on any topic. An organised concert series, screenings, or plays can happen over several days.
Doing it well:
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Libraries‘ London History Festival brings together notable historians for an online history fest.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
26. Masquerade
Masquerade parties are a great excuse to get dressed up – think the masked stranger and Renaissance-era mystique. Revel with others in equally outrageous, amusing, and esoteric clothing.
Doing it well:
Love Coach Shina uses masquerades as a fresh twist on her Let’s Pick a Boo speed-dating events.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★
27. School prom
Borrowed from America, a prom gives attendees the chance to relive their high school experience – with (legal) drinks. Or why not revisit the good old school disco? Go online by providing attendees with home decorations and asking them to dress up.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★
28. Rave
Feel-good vibes, dayglo necklaces, electronic sounds, and trippy light shows. Invite virtual ravers to turn off the lights to set the mood. Include lighting effects along with a setlist of the best house, acid, and techno beats.
Doing it well:
Fuse Club host a Techno club night featuring exclusive sets, releases, and interviews from talent from all over the globe.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
29. Silent disco
Hold a virtual house party with no complaints about the music volume! Instead of blaring speakers, each attendee uses headphones and dances to the tunes only they can hear.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
Online performance ideas
Here we mean ballet, musicals, opera, theatre, and literature. Yes, we’ve grouped five major types of events into one, because they share a common factor – a centre stage occupied by talented artists, appreciated by an attentive online audience.
30. Book reading
Choose an author or book and host a virtual read-along. Remind attendees to bring a copy of the book to read along with.
Doing it well:
The Poetry Business regularly hosts digital launches of books and publications featuring readings and discussions with contributors.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
31. Cabaret
Cabaret is a stage performance that combines music, song, dance, and drama with an overarching theme. It’s normally more suited to adult audiences. Stream the performance live to the online audience – use more than one camera so you can mix up the visual compositions.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
32. Immersive
Immersive events normally follow a tight narrative, leading the participant through the story with the help of actors who always stay in character and settings you might find on a film set. Fans of zombies and apocalypse scenarios love these events. How about livestreaming a handheld video feed of the experience for a “found footage” vibe?
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
33. Improv show
Improvisational comedy is where the performers have no set script and instead develop ideas from the audience into jokes and sketches. For a livestream, make a few adaptations to instil the same sense of immediacy:
- Encourage participation with chat rooms for scene and character suggestions
- Include breakout rooms for cast members to confer with small groups of attendees
- Use high-quality microphones and sound equipment, so online guests hear well
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
34. Open mic
Let attendees be the star of the show. Open mics usually focus on poetry, music, and comedy and allow aspiring artists to showcase their skills and get comfortable performing in front of people (even if virtually). Keep the focus on one particular art or open it up to any and all performers.
Doing it well:
Allographic invites people to come and show what they’ve got with their poems, stories, dramatic monologues, improv, hip-hop, and anything else that fits the bill of spoken word.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
35. Online art
People love watching amazing art come to life and channelling their inner artist. From simple pencil sketching to watercolours or oils – there’s something for everyone.
Doing it well:
ArtistAnd have adult drawing classes that are beginner friendly and aim to make people remember how fun and therapeutic drawing can be.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★
36. Virtual comedy night
Host a curated comedy night online and introduce a roster of comedians to a broad audience. Sell merchandise as an add-on during the ticket-buying process, or offer it for purchase during the event itself. Keep track of up-and-coming comedians to showcase via comedy streams on YouTube and by checking out performances at local clubs and university campuses. Or why not help comedians develop their acts?
Doing it well:
For budding stand-up comedians, Maggie Irving offers online sessions to develop and hone skills in writing, speaking, and performing comedy.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
37. Virtual concert
Organise a virtual concert that lets attendees be close to their favourite musical artists, no matter how many people are attending. Add behind-the-scenes or VIP options to create a truly memorable experience.
Doing it well:
The Jackson Room in Queens, NY, features a monthly jazz livestream show featuring the Ed Jackson Quartet, so guests worldwide can experience the band.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
Virtual promotional event ideas
Find a ready audience online, where retail shopping and browsing come together. Whether you’re offering unique experiences or looking to introduce a new product to the marketplace, an online promotional event can get the word out.
38. Flash
A flash event is typified by a sudden announcement of your event, usually the night or two before, to create excitement and anticipation. These work well for businesses and social media accounts with large followings, influencing a crowd to turn up and generating additional excitement to trigger impulse buying. Because the performance is virtual, record it and then promote it on social media. Consider these flash possibilities:
- A product pre-release – making a small volume of your new product available for a limited time
- A flash theatrical performance of a scene or two from a new stage production to gain publicity and generate word-of-mouth
- An impromptu live or pre-recorded mini-performance before tickets for a full-length show go on sale.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
39. Launch your new product
Organise a party to showcase your company’s latest release. Don’t forget to involve a demo, lots of branding, and VIPs such as company executives and celebrity spokespersons. Offer guests a discount or special gift with their purchase, or set up a giveaway for customers to enter and potentially win the product. Tip: encourage participants to post about the event on social media, using your event hashtag to enter the giveaway.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★
Virtual social event ideas
Offer a virtual venue for people of similar interests to come together when an in-person event isn’t possible. A variety of formats are adaptable to a virtual setting. Try one of the following ideas:
40. Online games
Gaming is a big industry to penetrate. Some gamers gather socially, while others play for cash prizes. Online gaming events can help you target a niche audience. And since video games already involve the use of a digital screen, they work well as virtual events. Make sure your technology is up to date and working smoothly – nothing ruins an online gaming event like tech issues.
Popular online games include:
- Sports games such as basketball and football, where players often take on the role of an entire team. Why not try a tournament format?
- Racing games, where players race against each other in virtual vehicles. Games like “F1”, “Gran Turismo”, and “Mario Kart” can include many players at one time, so work well for social events.
- Sandbox games, where players roam and interact creatively within the game environment without establishing any preset objective or rules. “Minecraft” and “Second Life” are two of the biggest titles.
Rating: Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★★
41. Meetup
Whatever your interest – punk rock, property investment, book club – it’s great to connect and enjoy conversation with those who share your passion. Keep the event moving by providing a point of discussion or topic of conversation.
Doing it well:
Bristol Libraries have a friendly, monthly book club where participants can engage in a relaxed and informal conversation with like-minded book lovers.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
42. Networking evening
Gear this event towards professionals and bring like-minded people together to chat, share experiences, and find common ground – this can lead to mutually beneficial business relationships. They can be as simple as eating pizza and having a drink together – even if virtually.
Doing it well:
Lynne Moffat & Sharon Slade host Evolution Virtual Networking. Provided fortnightly, these sessions enable businesses to make new contacts and connect without having to travel.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
43. Puzzle or escape room
Solve puzzles in a group, within a certain amount of time, creating the right mix of excitement, curiosity, and agitation to make this event a stand-out success.
Doing it well:
Jodie Vallance shows educators how to create simple but effective virtual escape rooms for their students.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost:£££
- Popularity: ★★★★
44. Quiz
Bring teams together to compete against each other with a “quizmaster” posing questions. Don’t forget a prize for the team with the most correct answers!
Doing it well:
With Quizmasta guests can take part in weekly online quizzes and compete in real time against other participants from all over the UK. The quizzes, hosted like a game show, are fun, fully interactive, and offer prizes too.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
45. Treasure hunt
Virtual treasure hunts are an enjoyable way to get people working together.
Doing it well:
Check out the Guildhall Library’s The Top Ten British Treasures of the British Museum.
Rating:
- Complexity: 3
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
46. Virtual tastings
Introduce new brands or flavours to your audience. For a virtual event, either send the drink or food to attendees or make sure they know what’s on the menu beforehand so that everyone can follow along at home.
Doing it well:
North Tyneside Council are using virtual infant feeding sessions to introduce babies to solid foods.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
Virtual workshop & webinar ideas
Workshops and webinars let us build skills and expand our knowledge – and they rely on engaging instructors. Make sure there’s proper lighting, clear sound, and any supplies the instructor needs (follow our virtual event production checklist to help). And stay up-to-date on the latest tools and features; streaming platforms frequently upgrade their services.
47. Cocktail-making class
A mixology class is one of the most popular online event ideas that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Send participants a list of ingredients and equipment they’ll need before the event. Or consider offering a kit as an add-on when they purchase their tickets – and send it to their home. Teach participants to mix up a refreshing, fragrant, or classic cocktail, then let them socialise while they sip.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
48. Digital crafts class
Online crafting classes engage both children and adults – parents and children can even work on something together. The presenter demonstrates how to make the craft and provides tips to the virtual crafters along the way.
Doing it well:
The family-run business John Arbon Textiles hosts a monthly craft and natter session where participants share their latest projects and learn from one another.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
49. Educational workshop
Teach participants a skill and have a clear value proposition. How about a leadership seminar for a corporate event or a virtual guided meditation for a wellness event? Workshops are engaging because the audience is focused on learning something they’re interested in.
Doing it well:
WriteClub offers inspiring creative writing workshops where people can connect with a writing community and gain one-to-one support.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★★
50. Health and well-being classes
Many yoga studios, personal trainers, and other health and wellness professionals have successfully launched virtual classes and offerings. One sports-medicine practice brought all its wellness classes online so patients can stay fit and take care of their health in the comfort of their own homes.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
51. Virtual bake-along
Host a bake-along virtual cooking workshop with specialty ingredients or tools included in the ticket price. Send these items to your guests before the event or provide ticket buyers with a list of the ingredients and tools they’ll need. Cooking classes are fun virtual events that appeal to both adults and children.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
52. Wine-tasting workshop
Food and drink events work well virtually. Host a wine-tasting workshop to teach attendees about the wines while they sip at home. Provide them with a list of wines they can buy or offer packages as part of the ticket price.
Doing it well:
Winfield Wines host Wine O’Clock Friday. Led by a qualified wine expert, participants enjoy six sample bottles delivered in a tasting box to their homes.
Rating:
- Complexity: 2
- Cost: ££
- Popularity: ★★★
53. Webinars
For anyone looking to spread knowledge, try a webinar. Online seminars feature an instructor or lecturer who covers a particular topic with support from presentations, videos, and other visual content. Webinars can cover any topic. The more mainstream the subject, the more engagement you’ll likely see.
Doing it well:
- HEY Growth Hub’s #GrowMySME Programme run a series of webinars aimed at growing Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the Humber Region.
- Creative Process Digital offer a Digital Apprenticeships – Employer’s Briefing Webinar where businesses can learn more about industry-led apprenticeship programmes.
- Lakshman Singh helps people looking to set up a startup business. Topics covered include building a business, marketing, product positioning, and going to market.
Rating:
- Complexity: 1
- Cost: £
- Popularity: ★★
Virtual event best practices
No matter what kind of virtual event you’re organising, some best practices are helpful during your planning. These apply to all virtual event ideas, whether for clients or companies or for something more social.
Create a meaningful virtual event
To grab people’s attention, make sure the content you’re delivering is useful for your target audience. What do participants want from a virtual event? What will they spend money on? And what will make them want to turn on their video app after a long day of remote work? Learn exactly what your audience wants from your webinar or online workshop. We asked them for you.
Pick the perfect platform
The platform you use to stream your event will rely entirely on what you’re providing. If you’re hosting a webinar and want to moderate attendee participation, Zoom might be a good option. Looking to livestream a film? Vimeo offers password-protected streams, so you can ensure only ticket holders can attend.
If neither of those options is right for your event, there are dozens more virtual event platforms to choose from. Check out our advice on selecting a livestream platform.
Price it right
Online events often have fewer overhead costs than traditional events, but that doesn’t mean you should undervalue the experience you’re providing. Ticket prices for online events vary widely between categories. You can even offer donation-based or sliding-scale pricing so more people can attend. To help you decide how much to charge, we spoke with some Eventbrite creators about how they priced their events.
Promote your virtual event
Marketing is different for an online event compared to an in-person event. Eventbrite data shows that stepping up your marketing efforts one week before an event sells 47% more paid tickets than starting marketing a month early.
It’s easier than ever to promote virtual happenings through social media and our simplified marketing tools. Make sure you’re marketing the right way for your customer with our guide to marketing online events.
Be inclusive
Making your event diverse and inclusive doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re hiring speakers, find experts of different genders, races, ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Add subtitles to your film, or provide an ASL translator for a seminar or workshop. Offer scholarship tickets for professional-development classes or networking events so people from a variety of socioeconomic levels can attend.
Remember to add all of this information to your event listing so guests feel welcome from the start.
Keep your attendees safe
Guests expect their financial information to be safe when they purchase a ticket, and they expect to be safe socially as well. Using your platform’s highest security options will ensure your guests’ personal information isn’t at risk. Make your event password protected, set participation guidelines for your attendees and personnel, and have staff moderate chats and interactions during the event.
Ask for feedback
Getting feedback from attendees is like getting free business advice from the people who matter most: your customers. Take advantage of your guests’ fresh points of view and send out a survey shortly after your event. We’ve compiled 21 survey questions to ask after an event. Your attendees’ genuine feedback will help you make your next event even better.
Online events FAQs
How do you host a virtual event?
When hosting a virtual event, engaging your guests and having the right technology are key. Think about your audience and what kind of event will appeal to them. Choose the right platform for hosting or streaming the event, and take technological limitations into account. Most importantly, provide value to attendees.
How do you make a virtual event interesting?
Don’t overcomplicate your virtual event. If you try to cram too many topics or activities into one event, it can be difficult logistically and may be overwhelming for participants. Offer an event that’s interactive for all guests. Rehearse for your presentations and test your technology to avoid glitches on the day.
What’s the best day to host a virtual event?
There’s no perfect date or time that will work for every virtual event. Consider your audience and demographics when planning, and take any major holidays or religious celebrations into account. Track engagement and attendance across all your events to get a sense of what days work best for your audience, or ask potential attendees what their preference is in a survey.
Ready to get started? Post your event on Eventbrite.
