In the digital age, it’s never been easier to create virtual events and experiences. From online courses to webinars, there are so many ways you can reach your target audience without needing to leave the office. While virtual events are often thought of as a cheaper alternative to in-person conferences or events, they have their own set of challenges. Creating and promoting an event that excites your audience is not easy. But with the right strategy and commitment from everyone involved, you can create an engaging experience for your target audience. Here are 10 ways to get attendees for your virtual event.
Create an irresistible banner ad.
Banner ads are a great place to start when creating a promotion for your event. They allow you to highlight the topic of your event, the dates of your event, and the benefits of attending the event. When designing your banner ad, don’t just focus on copy and images; consider the colors you use as well. According to a study done by Keynote, blue is the most effective color for banner ads.
You can also choose to put the ad on autopilot and let it run indefinitely or run it for a set amount of time. If you decide on the latter, create a chart that shows the number of impressions each ad receives each day so that you have useful data to show to partners and advertisers.
Leverage email marketing.
Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in a marketer’s tool belt. Emails can be sent to your entire list or segmented to specific audiences, they are easily trackable, and they are a fantastic way to build hype and engagement around your virtual event. Create an email sequence that starts building excitement for your event as far in advance as possible. Start with a welcome email with helpful information about the event and your brand. Follow up with email reminders about the event as it gets closer. Include links to landing pages with more information or tickets to the event. Create a specific email sequence for your event, rather than sending out emails from your general email address.
Make sure your team is on board with this strategy. Email marketing is a great way to use data to refine your strategy. If you notice engagement is low or that your emails aren’t being opened, you may want to tweak your strategy.
Utilize social media.
Creating LinkedIn and Facebook events and encouraging attendees to invite their friends is a great way to build buzz. If you have a large following on social media, this can help to drive attendance and get people talking about your event. Take advantage of the tools available to you. LinkedIn and Facebook both have a number of tools designed to help you promote your event.
You can create a custom tab for your event so it appears on your page. You can also promote it with a boost or an ad. Instagram has a great feature for events where you can include your event in your bio and create a custom cover photo. Be sure to include a link to your website or another event page so people have a way to buy tickets or sign up for your event.
Create video ads with your own voice.
Video ads are a great way to get your audience excited about your event. Create a video ad that showcases the key benefits of attending your event. This could be a sample of the type of content that will be featured at the event or a behind-the-scenes look at planning the event. You can also create a video ad where you introduce yourself and invite your audience to attend your event.
If you’re a solopreneur, it’s important to use your own voice when creating a video ad, as opposed to hiring a voice actor. You want your audience to feel connected to you, and a video ad with your own voice is a great way to foster that connection. When creating your ad, consider posting it on social media and on your website.
Offer a free guide as an incentive to attend.
Offer a free guide or e-book that goes along with your event to people who sign up to attend. This is a great way to add value to your event and help people get excited about the topic you’ll be covering at the event. You can also make the guide available to anyone, even those who don’t attend your event, but the incentive might be even greater for your audience. You can make the guide available for free on your website or host it on a third-party site like Medium. Be sure to let your attendees know about the guide, and share it on social media to help spread the word.
Host a podcast or series of podcasts to build buzz.
Podcasts are a great way to get your brand out there and engage with your audience. You can host a podcast leading up to your event with members of your team or other industry experts or employees. Make sure to bring the same energy from your event to your podcast. You can also create a series of podcasts that explore various aspects of your brand or industry. This is a great way to keep the conversation going after your event has ended.
Consider hosting a podcast episode where you invite your attendees to call in and ask questions. This is a great way to make your audience feel connected to you and the other people who have attended.
Use live-streaming and pre-recorded videos together.
Combining pre-recorded videos and live-streaming is a great way to get people excited about your event. This is also a great way to alleviate any concerns people may have about attending in real time. You can do pre-recorded video segments where you introduce the topic of your event, answer questions from your audience, or host Q&As with industry experts. You can also do pre-recorded videos where you interview attendees or other people who have signed up for your event. Live-streaming your event is a great way to add excitement and make your event a truly interactive experience.
Ask employees to become brand ambassadors.
Asking your employees to become brand ambassadors is a great way to get people excited about your event. This is especially helpful if your event is being held in a different location from your office. Make sure your employees feel comfortable speaking about the event, and encourage them to answer questions from their networks. Ask your employees to share important details about the event, such as ticket availability. You can also consider having your employees wear branded gear that promotes your event. This is a great way to get your logo out there and make your employees feel proud to work for your company.
Hold a very exclusive influencer event before yours.
If you want to get people excited about attending your event, why not host a prior event that is only available to a select few? This is a great way to make your event feel even more exclusive. If you have the budget, you can partner with an influencer in your industry or a thought leader. This is a great way to create excitement and attract the attention of the press.
Run paid ads for the days leading up to your event.
Paid ads can help you reach a wider audience and get them excited about your event. This can be a great way to target people who are interested in your industry or people in your area. Depending on your budget and goals, you can target people who have shown interest in your brand or industry, people who live in your area, or both. Investing in paid ads for your event is a great way to boost your attendance, but it’s important to run ads that resonate with your audience. Make sure to keep your ad consistent with your brand and any previous ads you’ve run.
Summary
Attendees aren’t just numbers; they are people who are interested in what you have to offer. Creating an engaging experience is key to bringing these people together. Keep these tips in mind as you create your event, and you will have a higher chance of success. These tips will help you get attendees for your virtual event. Now is the time to get started!
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