Events and Workshops

Thanks to inexpensive platforms and rapidly innovative technology, it's become increasingly easy to host events and workshops of nearly any size online. While an online event may seem like it might not be as engaging as an in-person one, they can be much more accessible by allowing far greater reach.

Tools

Best Practices

When hosting a virtual event or workshop, you'd probably like to ensure its as impactful and engaging as possible. While hosting events online can certainly be more accessible for many, here are some more tips to help you further reduce the barrier to participation and make the most out of your gathering:

Choose platforms that allow for multiple conversations to happen at once. Whether that's Zoom with their break-out room feature or Rally with the ability to easily slide in and out of group conversations, look for a platform that encourages engagement during the event
Break the ice with creative questions. Swap the standard "how are you doing" for something related to your event to get everyone ready, or play a quick icebreaker game to get everyone acquainted with each other if time permits.
If possible, have someone monitor and engage with participants in the chat while presenter is speaking.
Take the guesswork out of equation. Provide participants with an idea/outline of what to expect beforehand/clearly communicate expectations of event
Record your session - there will be instances where participants suffer technical difficulties, want to look back at what happened, or simply can't make it. Consider making your event more accessible by sharing a recording and/or presentation materials.
Consider whether you need people to register to attend or not - do you need to track who will be attending your even before it starts? Knowing how many registered attended joined and allows for easy follow up after the event

Resources

The Ultimate Guide to Hosting an Online Event or Webinar

Creating Exciting Virtual Events That Will Engage Your Audience

How to Host a Successful Virtual Event: Tips and Best Practices