I chose the topic for my blog post, which guides the successful organization of virtual events. The blog post was published by Kaltura in 2022, and its title is “The 2023 Guide to Virtual Events.” The post extensively covered aspects such as how to engage people during the event, what virtual events are, and what considerations should be taken into account before, during, and after the event.
Activating the participant is important!
In my opinion, the blog post was clear and instructive. What made it interesting was the insight that virtual events have become more prevalent post-pandemic and will likely continue to be organized in the future. Such events also relate to my studies, as various virtual events related to tourism might potentially be part of my future job description. The marketing of virtual events and generating customer interest are also closely connected to this course.
The blog post sparked new thoughts in me and provided me with new ideas and insights on how to make virtual events even better. For example, I had never considered before that the audience could be engaged in so many different ways during a virtual event. One memorable technique mentioned was sending participants some products before the event that they could use during the event. The post also highlighted familiar methods to engage the audience, such as various games, interactive chat features with emojis, different polls, involvement of artists or public figures, and mini workouts to briefly divert attention from the main topic. These, in my opinion, are effective ways, and the text presented them clearly and effectively.
What to consider
I was also somewhat surprised at how many different factors need to be considered during event planning. This includes securing various sponsors, event marketing, preparing participant home kits, and hiring staff. Even though the event takes place virtually, there is still a need for various staff members, such as a host, potential artists, technical support, set designers, and other individuals appearing in the virtual event. Gathering sponsors and briefing them about the event is also a task in itself to ensure that all parties enter the event with a positive attitude and understanding of what will happen.
The key messages of the text, in my opinion, are to teach the reader what virtual events are, to explain the various considerations when organizing them, and to provide inspiration for the reader when planning possible future virtual events. The text effectively highlighted the diversity of virtual events, introducing three types: webinars, hybrid events, and virtual conferences. It emphasized the importance of choosing the right type for a particular virtual event. The text also provided good insights into what needs to be considered at each stage of the event. Pre-event planning is crucial, ensuring that everything goes according to plan during the event, and being able to act quickly in case of any issues. Post-event tasks, such as thanking participants and providing information about future events, are also highlighted as important, and I agree with this perspective.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the text was well-written and explained. The paragraphs were appropriately divided, and the reading was smooth. Videos were added between paragraphs to summarize the key points. The blog post was quite long, and reading the last paragraphs felt a bit tedious, but given the breadth of the topic, I feel that the information was condensed as effectively as possible. I learned a lot about virtual events and their organization, especially the importance of engaging the audience as much as possible to prevent boredom or distractions during the event. The text sparked a new interest and enthusiasm for virtual events in me. I would like to participate in a well-planned virtual event that utilizes various methods to engage the audience actively. Such an event could truly be a fantastic experience.
Link to the blog post: https://corp.kaltura.com/blog/virtual-events/
Juulia Metso