Virtual events come in all shapes and sizes. From a simple event to a large one, there are many things to consider. One of those things you need to consider is what style of event you will have. There should always be some sort of teaching component (the content) but the rest of the event style can be set up to give your guests the best experience, and make them want to come back for more.
The key is to provide interesting content in an interesting and presentable fashion. Consider the following ways you can share your event content with your audience:
Lecture style— The simplest type of event to set up is a lecture mode event. It only requires you to set up and get going, so you schedule it when you want to and the most you have to do is to prepare your content. It’s typically a teaching lesson or a how-to. You can do it via teleclass, powerpoint presentation, podcast or even by video. A lecture is a great way to position yourself as an expert in your field.
Interview style— A little more complex, but still fairly easy to organize is the interview event. You pick an expert that you think your audience will be interested in listening to, and you interview them. You typically interview via teleclass so you don’t have to be in the same location as your guest, but sometimes people will do video interviews when they are together. Interview style can make an event more fun due to the back and forth nature of the discussion.
Question & Answer— This is one of the most interactive forms of events. Having the people who register for your event able to ask questions and get answers is a great way to invite their participation. You can do this via telephone or via chat room, if your event service supports that. Sometimes people even have standard events but they ask for questions in advance and then they answer them during the event. A common format is to have a certain length of interview or lecture and then open up for Q&A near the end of the session, but you can also do a full Q&A session if you choose.
Group Discussion or Mastermind— A group discussion is a very participatory event. It is usually limited to a smaller group, but is mainly held to brainstorm or share ideas with the intention of producing an end result – whether that is goal setting for individuals, or problem solving. Each participant can bring a separate issue to the call and everyone else can give their input. These events can be private or public, but often require a moderator to ensure that one person doesn’t monopolize the event time.
Whichever style you choose for your event, be sure to plan it really well so that it runs smoothly. If you are lecturing, script your event and time it so you don’t have to rush or miss anything. If you are interviewing, prepare your guest by providing a few questions ahead of time and getting them to tell you if there is anything special you should ask them about. For a question and answer segment, be sure to have some ‘stock’ questions in case people are shy to ask, and don’t forget to keep all answers concise and short so you can hear from more people. For group discussions, as mentioned, be sure to have a moderator or someone present to keep things flowing along so you don’t get stuck on one person’s issue.
If you run frequent events, mix up your style — you always want to be sure to keep your audience coming back for more!