5 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE PRE-EVENT NETWORKING – HERE’S HOW!

5 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE PRE-EVENT NETWORKING FOR VIRTUAL EVENTS 

At a virtual event, there is less of an opportunity for face-to-face interaction, so it can be difficult for attendees to know who they’d like to connect with before and after the event. By following a few basic tips and strategies, you can overcome this hurdle, encourage pre-event networking among virtual event attendees, and help them connect even when there’s no opportunity for in-person interactions.

CREATE A PRE-EVENT ONLINE COMMUNITY FOR YOUR EVENT 

We highly recommend creating a Facebook group or a similar online community for event attendees. This is a great “home” where you can post information about the event, pre-event networking activities, and other such information. You can also email or send this information to attendees directly.

Using this community group, you can set up a few different pre-event activities that are sure to be a hit with event attendees. Here are a few suggestions :

• Virtual coffee room : Attendees can join a virtual “coffee room” to speak to one another and connect. This is a low-pressure, fun environment where attendees can make connections just like they would at a physical event.
• Human Bingo : This is a classic icebreaker. Ask Solutions Group Events how to manage this so that attendees have to talk to each other to learn fun or interesting facts about them. For example, the bingo card could include things like:

• Hates pizza
• Has never been on an airplane
• Has been to more than 3 continents

The first person to fill out 5 spaces in a row calls bingo and wins. A great way to start conversations among event attendees!

• Two truths and a lie : This is a simple game. Each person takes a turn telling two truths and one lie about themselves. For example, an attendee could say :
• I went to University in Cape Town
• I won a scholarship to University
• My mother was a famous actress

The other participants have to guess the two truths and the lie. This is a fun icebreaker, and helps people open up about themselves.

• Team competitions : You can break attendees into two teams, and have them play games and activities against each other. This is a great way to build up team spirit between attendees, and have them talk and get to know each other in a fun, laid-back environment.

• Event technology usage demos : Your virtual event technology may provide powerful networking tools but if your attendees don’t know about them, it won’t do them much good. A pre-recorded “get to know the technology tutorial” video or a live demo can help attendees who are not familiar with the technology used for the event. They can ask any questions they have, get a demo, and ensure they know how to use your event software and other technology. It’s another way of engaging pre-event as well.

VIRTUAL PRE-EVENT NETWORKING HELPS YOU BUILD MORE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS

Remember, in addition to loving your content, you want your attendees to “talk-up” your virtual event as an awesome networking experience. But if you skip virtual pre-event networking, event attendees may miss opportunities to make the valuable connections that they would make at a physical event. So be sure to make this a priority when planning virtual events.

If you do, your attendees are sure to be delighted by their event experience, and they’ll be more likely to spread the word and share information about your company and your event.

Implement these strategies from us today – and enhance your virtual event with pre-event networking.

To discuss further, contact us on stephanie@dev7.sd-dev.co.za

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