Shaking hands, exchanging business cards, and making eye contact—these are the traditional ways we build professional connections at events. But in the virtual world, how do we replicate that connection?
Networking opportunities with peers and speakers are crucial to a successful event. While face-to-face interactions might be off the table, virtual networking can be just as effective, and even less intimidating, if planned properly.
5 Tips to Facilitate Professional Relationship Building for Your Attendees
Pre-Event Preparation
1. Create a Community for Information and Communication Before your event, build a platform for attendees to connect. Use social media or event apps to create a vibrant community.
Social Media: Share links to your social media profiles in the registration email. Use a specific event hashtag to post information, share news, and ask questions. Create groups on Facebook or LinkedIn for attendees to network.
Event Apps: Utilize event apps like EventMobi and Whova to provide speaker and attendee information. Features like smart profiles and digital business cards can facilitate one-on-one chats and attendee matchmaking.
During the Event
2. Provide Networking Time and Breakout Sessions Designate time for networking sessions during your virtual event.
Breakout Rooms: Use platforms like Zoom or Butter to create breakout rooms based on interests. Private chats and rotating one-on-one rooms can foster more intimate networking.
Virtual Lounges: Host virtual cocktail hours or lobby spaces to simulate informal networking environments.
3. Utilize Icebreaking and Gamification Tools Networking can be daunting, but icebreakers and gamification can ease the process.
Icebreaking Tools: Use audience response tools to engage attendees. Platforms like Piccles allow for creative interaction, fostering psychological safety and encouraging participation.
Gamification: Implement gamification tools to create friendly competition. Split attendees into teams for challenges to spur interactions.
4. Engage in Live Chat and Q&A Conversations Q&A sessions provide great networking opportunities.
Live Chat: Encourage attendees to ask questions during presentations. Assign moderators to manage the chat and relay questions to speakers.
Q&A Sessions: Schedule dedicated Q&A times after each speech to foster active dialogue and connection.
Post-Event Engagement
5. Keeping Communications Going through Social Media Networking shouldn’t end when the event does.
Follow-Up: Encourage attendees to continue conversations on social media. Use the event hashtag and groups to maintain engagement.
Connecting everyone: Create an email thread and add everyone, or make a Linkedin post and tag all attendees so missed connections can be made.
Social Media Campaigns: Post-event campaigns can encourage attendees to share experiences and keep the community active. Share stories, highlights, and follow-up content to maintain a positive connection.
Wrapping it up
Even without physical interactions, virtual networking can be incredibly valuable.
By leveraging these strategies, you can help your attendees build meaningful, professional relationships at your next virtual event. So, don’t underestimate the power of networking—start planning now!
And if you would like one of our trained facilitators at Piccles to run one for you, just reach out to hello@piccles.com and share a bit more about your event.
Thanks for reading, and here’s to many connections at your next virtual event!
Comments