There is a big contrast between what events used to look like in 2019 versus today. Many adjustments have to be made considering that face-to-face events are very much out of the question right now. However, we have technology to thank that we are still able to hold events – just in different ways.
With the many changes also come new trends that we can look into using and adapting as our own. Just this year many new marketing trends are on the rise and are worth checking out for your next event in order to stay ahead of the curve.
Here are all the top event and webinar marketing trends you need to know for 2021:
The importance of virtual meetings
Probably one of the biggest challenges for virtual meetings and attendee experience is not having enough knowledge and experience to run one well.
Your equipment is essential to making your virtual meetings work. If you have great equipment available, all the better, but even if you don’t have the best equipment at hand, just make sure that everything can run smoothly. The same goes with everyone in charge of hosting your virtual meeting. Ensure that everyone is familiar and knows how to operate it. Above all else, since face-to-face meetings are not an option currently, you have to make sure that you deliver with just as much enthusiasm as you would in a physical event.
Make use of mini polls, break-out, sessions, even mini giveaways in between to keep your audience interested and invested in stayin throughout the whole event. Organizing virtual events and meetings is definitely not as easy as it sounds, but when done right, you’ll see great results.
Related: Drive Sales Growth with Lead Generation and Webinars
Combined events
When you think about the current state of marketing in this and the past year, hybrid or combined events are now considered more of a necessity. That is not to say that face-to-face meetings are going to become completely absolute, but that for the meantime we all have to adjust. Once face-to-face meetings are safe to return, we should also be able to slip right back into it as well.
With that being said, be ready to work with select partners you know to have a great deal of experience in this area.
Related: Top Lead-generating Webinar Tips for Software Companies in Asia
Education is key
We live in an age where there are a myriad of places we can drop our content onto. Not just that, but also the type of content is not limited to articles and blog posts only. Make sure that your content is going to be focused on your clients and prospects’ needs rather than your own goal of selling your product. Businesses make the most of social media platforms nowadays such as Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you have to post on every single platform. Determine where your audience hangs out online and based on that, create content that will present them with help, solutions, and educate them on your products and services.
Collaborative development
Collaboration bridges the gap between marketing and engagement at events. It’s one of the greatest motivators in order to get your attendees to create content at events.
Especially in corporate environments we often complain that attendees are bored. In order to raise the level of engagement of these stakeholders is to get them involved in the event well before the event starts.
Meaningful networking and matchmaking are the tools that will secure effective marketing and incredibly high satisfaction rates.
Live streaming
Social media is turning into live and video. The way you use it with your performers and stakeholders is essential to market your event properly. The aforementioned is an invaluable marketing trend but also a powerful engagement one. Attendees are increasingly reaching out for their phones and they don’t take pictures anymore, they hit the ‘live’ button on platforms such as Facebook Live or Periscope and start streaming.
They do it to connect their network and audience to the event. This can be a valid option even when an event has sensible content or is not open to the public. Many, many tools offer private live streaming channels to involve remote attendees in a secure way.
Takeaway
As we reflect on the changes made in the last year, the event industry is ready to move into 2021 with more knowledge and experience of how to operate during these times. Make the most out of every opportunity by following the event trends above to make our events special and memorable for us and our attendees.
