If it feels like everywhere you turn, you see an invite to a virtual event or an ad for an upcoming virtual gathering, you’re not wrong! These remote events are more popular than ever as we adapt to a whole new way of living and working in 2020. But how can you make YOUR virtual event stand out from the crowd and get the higher virtual attendance you’ve been hoping for?

Today, we’re going to tell you how!

Improve virtual attendance at your next event with these 7 tips

Focus on value

If you want your virtual attendance to be better than ever, focus on delivering the kind of quality that MAKES people want to attend.

Make it very clear what kind of value your audience can expect from attending your virtual event. Will they come away with new ways to run their business? Tips for leading a healthier lifestyle? A concrete plan for making these changes? Whatever it is, make it clear and make it valuable.

Use your network to boost virtual attendance

The online world can be incredibly generous when you know where to look! Focus on the network you already have (it’s bigger than you realize!) and look for opportunities to make it even bigger.

Reach out to your existing email list to let them know about your virtual event, share your event in the Facebook groups you’re in, and use good old fashioned word of mouth to spread the news about your event.

This is also a good time to mention virtual event sponsorship revenue. Your relationship with your event sponsors can be mutually exclusive, so not only are they helping you market your event, but you’re advertising for them in return. Learn more about finding virtual event sponsorship revenue here.

Offer an incentive

The initial value your virtual event provides is a great thing to focus on. But if you can add even further incentive for attending?

Even better!

If you offer an incentive that might not cost you much but brings a ton of value to your audience, you’ll notice attendance rates skyrocket.Here are a few examples of incentives you might offer:

• Swag bag (digital swag bags are a great way to reduce waste and streamline the process)
• Prize drawing
• Coupons for your services for attendees

Share your itinerary

Your audience might be reluctant to sign up for your virtual event if they’re not quite sure what to expect from it. One way to combat this challenge is by sharing a detailed itinerary for your event ahead of time.

Outline what happens during each hour or section of your event. Your audience will appreciate knowing exactly what to expect, when they can take breaks, and the can’t-miss events they’ll want to schedule their own time around.

PS. We share more tips for making your virtual event stand out in this blog post.

Make it interactive

Anytime you can include an interactive element in your virtual event, you’ll see virtual attendance rates rise – and stay high!

When your audience is called on to interact and participate throughout your event, they’re more likely to stay tuned in.

If they feel like they’re being lectured and they hoped for a more interactive and engaging experience, they’re far less likely to sign up for future events, and they might not last long during your current event either.

There are plenty of great audience interaction software options that allow you to add live polls, Q&As, and even gamification and quizzes to your virtual event. They help make your event one to remember and boost your virtual attendance all at once!

Audience insight

Hearing from past event attendees is incredibly useful for making your next virtual event even better. Once you know what they liked, what they didn’t like, and what they’d like to see in your next event, you can use this information to draw even more attendees to your next event.

Check out this post for seven questions to include in your virtual post-event survey.

Hire incredible speakers to amplify virtual attendance

Hiring the right speaker for your virtual event can make or break the success of your event. The value a speaker can bring to your event is unbeatable.

Are you a virtual event organizer? Click here to browse our top-rated virtual speakers for your online event.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Nine tips to promote your virtual event effectively
Virtual Event Planning: 8 Tips to Help You Move An Event Online at the Last Minute
Six steps for putting on a virtual event that works.