A guide to creating hybrid Events in 2022 (with examples) |
At one time it was commonplace to have live events in person ... Then COVID-19 came along. This left many businesses and event creators struggling to re-design their online events.
Virtual events can offer number of advantages but many participants feel like they're missing a critical component of in-person interaction. We'll admit it: trying to replicate each and each aspect of an actual occasion in a digital environment just doesn't work all that well.
What's the solution? The answer is HYBRID EVENTS!
Hybrid-style events integrate physical and digital experiences. They offer creators and attendees options that are flexible and may easily be repurposed into different types of media. What's that?
Let's dive into how to create an incredible hybrid event.
This piece...
What exactly is an event that is hybrid?
The benefits in hybrid-based events
Make sure the connection is active
11 ways to make incredible hybrid events
2. Make use of virtual media to help promote your in-person events
3. Bring your live members virtual
4. Invite your virtual friends to live
5. Find plenty of networking space
6. Ask questions for discussion within the community
7. Make sure that you keep the spirit going after
8. Offer more options for content
9. Determine your technology needs
10. Test tests, tests, test, test
What is a hybrid event?
It's the first step. Hybrid events allow people to participate in your event in-person or virtually or in a mix of both. It is truly the most beneficial of both.
Get Free Trial Credit card not is required.
Benefits from hybrid event
Let's look at the many benefits of hybrid events and how it could be the ideal alternative for your attendees!
Simple
Today more than ever, it's easy to host events that are hybrid due to modern technologies. Hybrid event platforms give creators the capability to create and host incredible events that connect through software. The most effective hybrid platforms will come with intuitive features for designing an interactive event that connects in-person and online experiences in a seamless manner.
Flexibility
When you organize a hybrid event there is room to customize. Your guests can enjoy an entirely new experience personalized to your preference. There are many hybrid event platforms that offer different ways for attendees to engage and have more flexibility for how they choose to communicate, for example via online communications including questions and answers, voice chats, polls, surveys and more.
Hybrid-style events can be beneficial for everyone because they give your attendees options for how they show up. For example, even for those who attend in the flesh, a hybrid event permits them to get out of the venue for a while and continue to connect online.
for those who frequently travel, have hectic schedules, or can't afford to attend the event physically, it gives them the opportunity to attend virtually.
Price
Speaking of the flexibility of hybrid events, they also offer the chance to make changes to the pricing. For example, you can offer a $100 fee for people who attend in-person and $20 for virtual attendees. Naturally, there is limitations on the number of tickets you can sell to an event in person due to limitations at the venue, but you are still able to make unlimited sales for tickets on the online part.
Essentially, you can offer two different products at the same occasion! You could even offer bundles and packages (e.g. buy four tickets at the cost of 3 tickets or, if people purchase an electronic product along with a ticket to your occasion, they gain access to your online community for free) This gives you unlimited options!
Maintain the connection
The connections and energy don't have to stop after the event has ended. It brought people together who were excited about attending the amazing event you created.
How can you keep these connections alive with the help of an online community? The community will help your people maintain connections and create new ones. It may provide members with new possibilities (both professional and personal). Your members can interact with one another, with your contents, as well as with you. In addition you'll let them be the first to know about your next gathering and have a place to communicate their excitement!
It is possible to record HTML0
Even if registrants can't go to your event due to sick, needed to work late or decided to rest in the midst of a busy work week You can offer them the chance to attend your occasion.
Thanks to powerful hybrid event platforms, you can easily record your event and give participants access. This way, they will be able to replay the event at their own time.
Get With a Free Trial Credit card not is required.
11 tips for creating amazing hybrid events
We've now gone over the reason why hybrid events are advantageous, let's look at how you can make one!
1. Choose your preferred blend
The initial decision to make is how to blend both the online and in-person components. You need to make each experience great separately but also blend them together to provide all attendees the most enjoyable experience. As an example, you could successfully combine both in-person and virtual attendees during break-out sessions. Or, at the beginning of the conference the event, all attendees (virtual as well as in-person) take part in a survey.
You'll want to also consider how your virtual guests could be able to access, for instance an actual keynote speaker following the presentation of an address.
Make connection and engagement easy for everyone. Don't let anyone feel that they were handed the short end of the stick , or not feeling that the event was meeting their requirements.
2. Use virtual to promote in-person
If you're looking to spread the word about your special event, then it is necessary to advertise it. Why not use your virtual web presence to not only promote the web-based aspect of the occasion but also its in-person aspect? Use social media for your benefit. Create content about your event via photos, writing or even videos for promotion goals. Utilize social media, or start your own blog or YouTube channel to publish your thoughts, build your following, and advertise your event in the most effective way you can.
No matter if your offering a program or an ebook, webinar, or even an occasion, if your audience likes your style of speaking and the perspective you offer are more likely to purchase whatever it is you're selling to them.
Remember, you aren't required to invest all your time and energy using social media, or even get millions (or perhaps thousands) of followers to promote your hybrid event. It doesn't require an illustrious celebrity such as Oprah to get noticed. You just need to build an image and then make your followers excited!
Another method to promote on the internet is to create an online community. The power of being in a community since people's brains are wired for being social creatures that crave connection.
Communities are about the pleasure in the purpose, energy, and purpose that comes from being part of something greater than you, working toward a common goal, building abilities and becoming better and also a safe space where members can be vulnerable, face challenges, and come up with solutions. Communities are an excellent place to promote your hybrid event because your participants trust your organization (plus they're your number one supporters who will be thrilled about the services you've got to offer ).
3. Bring your live members virtual
Have you thought about blending the in-person aspect with the online component? Now is the time to think about ways to get the members of your organization online.
Maybe in between speakers the presenters invite your on-site guests to take questions on live-streamed polling platforms (e.g. Slido). You can use questions as an icebreaker (getting everybody warmed-up for the event), present them with several fun games during the event and collect feedback following the occasion. The goal is to create engagement and conversation between your guests and you.
When the event takes place, you can also connect attendees who are in the area to an on-line chat. This way, they will be able to share their thoughts, connect with each other and the virtual guests, and answer any questions they ask in the chat.
Remember, you can also organize your event to be conducted online. It is possible that some guest speakers are unable to make it to the event in person, and instead are able to present online. In this case, you could do a guest talk, interview, or presentation, and more all virtually!
Start Your Free Trial There is no credit card is required.
4. Invite your virtual friends to live
In the same way that you'd like to get your in-person attendees on the internet, you'll want to do the opposite -- get your virtual members live. We don't mean getting the members in person (because this would negate the purpose) However, you should make sure they are engaged live with the content making them feel that they're involved in the event!
How? Utilize live streaming in your favor no matter if it's used in the context of main stage events, such as presentations, keynotes, or talks given by a person who is well-known. The livestreaming option can be employed to create smaller-scale events such as chats, virtual workshops breaks, breakout sessions and webinars.
As with your in-person attendees Virtual attendees are able to be able to answer questions from interested guests during live questions and answers that give you the chance to expand discussions and exchange ideas. As an event creator It's important to ensure that virtual attendees will be given the same amount of weight and consideration in the event as those from attendees in person.
You might consider having an emcee, or host of your virtual audience to recap the most important moments and alert virtual attendees to the next event. You can even video and stream the excitement of what's happening in real-time so that your online attendees feel like that they're there.
5. Find plenty of networking space
Provide virtual guests with an possibility to meet with the keynote speaker by ensuring that there is enough time for your speakers' agendas for them to connect with the audience.
Consider blocking off time throughout the event (and even add in the time following) to be reserved to network. To do this, you can have specific areas (both in person and online) that are specifically designed for networking. It is possible to ask participants to add their names, job title, accounts on social media, as well as an interesting fact about them in an online chat in order to make connections.
6. Make discussion topics within the community
Speaking of having dedicated spaces in which members of both online and live can interact, a great place to interact is inside your online group! It's great for all attendees, whether they're at home or there in the real world.
These are engaging questions you can pose to your members:
- What's the challenge that you're facing right now?
- What constitutes an awesome result to you?
- What's your single-word topic for 2022?
- What motivates you the most?
- If you had the power to wave an enchanted wand to add one extra hour to your schedule What would you do?
- What's the most stunning spot you've visited?
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Based on the interests of members, you could also create various subgroups of your online community. It is also possible to use various kinds of content to attract the members of these groups like:
- Surveys (e.g. "What percent of your daily time do you spend on getting organized and reviewing your goals ?")
- Fill-in-the-blank questions (e.g. "The reason I network is because of _____," or "I never quit my house with _ ")
- Use word-limits to ask questions. (e.g. "What's the first word you would like people to consider whenever they think of your brand? ?")
- You can ask questions that have time limitations (e.g. "Based on what you learned so far today at this event, what's one thing you're going to implement today?")
The most important thing to do here is to post questions that will make your audience think and stay engaged.
You can get this book of 1,000 discussion questions for free on our Mighty Community!
7. Make sure that you keep the spirit going after
After the event ends You can retain the energy! The energy, the excitement, the sharing, the energy and the excitement can keep in the air. There's plenty you can do to maintain a thriving community.
Here are a few examples to keep up the momentum:
- Organise a Member Spotlight event -- this could be as a live interview of several members (panel discussion). In the case of a group of coaches You could ask them, "What's the most effective method to get new customers? ?"
- Write about your members' experiences . Invite one new member each week to blog about their experiences and their accomplishments. Of course, your members appreciate hearing from you but they'll also be thrilled to hear stories of their fellow members.
- Create an event live This could include an event, a demo, workshop, webinar, or thought leadership.
- Offer a weekly challenge.
- Create a book or podcast day of discussion in line with the community's needs.
Another benefit of maintaining the hype is that you get to create excitement for your next virtual or hybrid events!
8. Give more content choices
Another way to keep your customers engaged is to provide various types of content. As long as they are familiar with your company and your brand, it is much easier to offer them more products or services in the future. in the future.
Here are some examples of what you can cost for:
- memberships (great option to build community and create an online platform that allows members to communicate with one another)
- Recorded videos
- Livestreams
- Boards of discussion, blogs, polls, and surveys
- Digital downloads (PDFs, ebooks, audio files, customizable templates)
It is also possible to expand your hybrid event into mastermind groups, online classes or mastermind groups. The recordings can be used to create events (e.g. speakers) or recordings of stories and experiences of other attendees too. You can turn this into a powerful piece of content is chargeable separately.
There are a variety of options for diversifying your content and charging for the content. It's possible to offer participants who attended your hybrid event a discounted rate for an online course or ebook. Remember, it's an endurance race, not an event that is a sprint. As you learn about the members you have, you are able to tailor the content even more to their needs.
9. Figure out your tech needs
The event you are planning is to run without a hitch. It is essential to make sure that the technical aspect in place (like audio and video streaming ).
Here's a list of items to think about:
- Audio recording: ensure that your recording of audio is crystal and clear. You also want your audio and video recordings to be synced up.
- Mics: your guests don't want to have to strain to hear what your guests are saying So make sure that your microphones are in good working order and have been connected (whether they're stand-alone or hooked up).
- Quality of video: make sure you use equipment that has high resolution. It's not a good idea to have low-quality video that is difficult to make out while you're streaming or recording the attendees.
- Apps for engagement (e.g. Slido) Make sure you include intuitive applications (this is crucial for those who may not be tech-savvy) that have rich interaction and features for engagement.
- App for community (e.g. ) Make sure you've got a dedicated community space where attendees can go to interact with each other, share their storiesand build relationships (before, during, and following the event).
- Tickets: To track registrations using a registration software or ticketing program. It ensures that all information is in one spot.
10. Test tests, test and test, test
Once you figure out what tech equipment and applications that you require to host your event, it's time to actually test them out! The last thing you want during your event is something (on the technical side) going wrong that could have easily been prevented.
We suggest that you do an experiment with the hybrid event several days in advance to be sure all is in order and give you peace of mind. Two test participants one online and someone in the flesh. So you'll know that the quality of your video is up to the standards you expect, that the PowerPoint presentation that you designed is working, the attendees are able to access any apps as well as the audio quality is crisp and clear. You don't want speakers to be blocked or, worse yet, unreadable.
Whatever equipment you're using ensure that you and your guests are comfortable with it. That way, if anything goes wrong at the time of the celebration, you'll be able to solve the issue. Since you'll be pulled in multiple directions throughout the hybrid event You might think about enlisting assistance -- be it friends or professional help (e.g. videographer) to make sure everything goes smoothly and you can focus on the most important thing ... your guests.
11. Select your preferred platform
The next thing to do is decide on the best platform to use. Let's look at 4 options quick.
This is a comprehensive platform for creators that offers an extensive range of native features as well as tools for creating engaging content. It has great online learning options that fully integrate with community-based communities, paid memberships, and even hybrid and virtual events.
Here are some other advantages to having a hybrid event:
- Create easy-to-use RSVP announcements.
- Create interactive discussions boards, polls as well as Q&As.
- Post articles, live stream from your Mighty Network, and post made videos.
- Direct messages can be sent to the attendees. Set up reminders, so that nobody misses anything.
- The ability to connect is always available through a robust mobile app (available on Android and iOS). It is ideal for people engaging with the app either to complement their personal experience in person or their primary way to participate in a full virtual environment, there will not be any compromises in quality.
A Mighty Network offers the best of both worlds by combining content and connections for your hybrid event , and also giving you the option to expand the event into a vibrant membership site, community and online course series along with many more!
Get your free Trial There is no credit card needed.
Accelevents
Accelevents is a platform for events featuring robust functions where you can host your hybrid events. It's a reasonably priced solution (their starter pack for a one-time event is $500 per event, or you can buy unlimited events for $125/month billed annually) targeted at large-to-mid-sized businesses.
Accelevents lets businesses integrate live streaming, add immersive live polling and Q&As, and create interactive expo booths -great to auction.
Even though this technology promotes its ability to build connections among attendees with extravagant features such as AI-based matchmaking but there's really no method for participants to stay connected after the event is finished.
Hopin
Though this hybrid platform is new, it's a good option for the new and/or budget-conscious event organizer looking to have an upscale convention experience. With Hopin organizers are able to create various ticket types, utilize Hopin's central registration system for online and in-person participants, and make use of their tools for marketing via email. Hopin offers plenty of opportunities for attendees to interact during the event (connection tools, roundtables virtual break-out sessions for groups, and many more). ).
Hopin will attempt to replicate the feel of an in-person experience, but it's not missing out on certain aspects that make the virtual experience unique. While the platform can be affordable, they have to pay a part of commissions for tickets (even on their "starter" package, they charge 7percent commission, in addition to charging $99 per month per year). ).
If you want to see if you can host an event that is hybrid They offer a no-cost trial (although it should be noted that the event length can be as short as two hours ). You will receive 100 participants, and they take 15% of commission on ticket sales).
vFairs
vFairs is an extremely powerful hybrid event platform catered for large businesses and universities to hold workshops, conferences as well as trade fairs and much more. This platform allows you to live stream footage of event sessions to your online audience, has an immersive virtual venue, and allows you to join in-person and virtual participants via text messaging and audio/video meetings. vFairs offers a mobile app where attendees can sign-in for the event, network with other attendees, and engage with exhibitor booths.
Where vFairs seems to be not quite as user-friendly is their experience. The platform offers limited customization, and integrations aren't as seamless.
In general, this hybrid event platform is good for supersized companies.
Hybrid event examples
Now that we've covered the basics of hosting a hybrid gathering Let's glance at some of the examples! Both of these examples originally focused on in-person events pre-pandemic, shifted to online occasions during, and are now providing a hybrid event.
The Wild Hub
The Outwild Hub is a group which has a monthly membership that is paid and the event series designed for those who wish to make outdoor a more integral part of their life. The Outwild Hub has an online community and online and offline events.
- What they provide: Outwild Hub members get access to the Outwild Hub online community, as well as monthly speakers, a workshop series, and early access to events in person. They also host online events (community gatherings, workshops, keynote presentations). They effortlessly connect events in person via the web by providing audio recording of the event.
- Who should join: anyone who is interested in spending more time outside, but aren't sure which way to go about it. The group is designed for those who are looking to make significant changes in their lives. This community even helps people who were forced to relocate during the outbreak to find new friends and have fun in the outdoors together.
In the Cut
in the Cut is a community for BIPOC designers who are looking to make it into the TV or film business (just like the show's host Rae Benjamin, had gone from full-time graphic design to being a script coordinator on "The Witcher").
What they provide: A free online community where aspiring screenwriters can network to find jobs, mentorships, and get filmmaking tips and tricks. The site is a place where artists come together to make virtual mock writers' rooms. There's also the option for users to have all-year access to webinar replays (for cost) as well as online classes, or even writing retreats in person.
-Who should join: BIPOC creatives who want to work as a screenwriter Hollywood. Those who have found entry-level work however aren't sure of what to do next in order to transition into a more lucrative career. These events are honest and unfiltered to help demystify the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
Hope you're motivated and are ready to host a hybrid event that WORKS, now that you know the benefits of hybrid events, how to actually run one, and the essentials you'll need in order to succeed.
Speaking of what you need ... while we have covered a variety of different platforms for event management, this one offers the ideal balance of cost, customization and functions for online and in-person attendees. Try it at no cost!
Create your event community today!