The document discusses how marketers should approach virtual events, highlighting the evolution and importance of such formats in today's global landscape. It outlines five key considerations for virtual events and poses ten essential questions that event planners must answer before launching an event. The emphasis is on adjusting strategies to focus on community building and year-round engagement rather than one-off events.

1. How Marketers Should Think About Virtual Events
July 30, 2020
Dennis Shiao (@dshiao)
Marketing Consultant,
Former Virtual Event Planner

2. Let’s Take a Journey Back in Time...
“The first eComXpo was held between February 17, 2005 and February 19, 2005 and had an estimated
1,600 attendees, 92 exhibitors and 75 presentations by industry experts.”

3. Let’s Take a Journey Back in Time...
Cisco Live Virtual 2009

4. Let’s Take a Journey Back in Time...
Cisco Global Sales Experience 2009

5. Let’s Take a Journey Back in Time...
Cisco Global Sales Experience 2009

6. Types of Events
Scheduled Chat
● No audio
● No video
● Example: Twitter
chats
Webinar
● Audio
● Video (optional)
● Slides (optional)
● Q&A
● Text-based chat
● Polls
Virtual Event
● Audio
● Video (optional)
● Slides (optional)
● Q&A
● Text-based chat
● Polls
● Multiple webinars
● Booths
● Networking Lounge
● Prize Center
● Leaderboard
Hybrid Event
● Audio
● Video (optional)
● Slides (optional)
● Q&A
● Text-based chat
● Polls
● Multiple webinars
● Booths
● Networking Lounge
● Prize Center
● Leaderboard
● Physical event
integration

7. Virtual Events: 5 Things to Think About

8. 1) Things have permanently changed.

11. 2) The power of marketing automation,
applied to events.

12. 3) Your audience is now global. How do
you adapt?

13. 4) Think less about “events” and more
about “365 day experiences.”

14. 5) Focus on community building.

15. Virtual Events: 10 Questions to Answer
Before You Start

16. 10 Questions to Answer
1. Why have a virtual event?
2. Are you giving yourself enough time?
3. How are you handling paid ticketing?
4. Have speakers agreed to present in your virtual
event?
5. Have you worked out important registration details?

17. 10 Questions to Answer
6. What’s your vision?
7. Can your existing team pull this off?
8. How will you deliver leads to sponsors?
9. Will your target audience attend a virtual event?
10. How will you keep your audience engaged?

18. About Me
Thanks for attending. Feel free to reach out!
1. Find me on Twitter (@dshiao)
2. Connect on LinkedIn
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