How Can Hybrid Events Transform The Events Industry?
By now we have come to terms with conducting events online. From job fairs to cookery classes, we have seen so many virtual events in the last two years. However, 2022 brings with it a ray of fresh hope being spearheaded by in-person events.
Although most companies are excited to meet and network physically, they are unwilling to let go of the virtual elements of an event. Never before has technology been able to make event planning this flexible, accommodating, and adaptable. And this trend is likely to dominate in 2022.
We will go one step further and predict that hybrid events might just transform the events industry. So, buckle in because we are going to show you why and highlight a few ways to promote and market your next hybrid event.
1. Reach beyond geographical boundaries
Businesses are no longer restricted by geography. A follower of a business is very likely to attend its next conference (virtually) even if she is not physically present thanks to the live streaming facility offered by hybrid event platforms. This is a huge jump for businesses eyeing expansion into other regions or markets and can potentially result in enormous growth and revenue generation.
2. Move into online avatars
Several businesses are ramping up their online presence in preparation for the future. Though physical events offer that personal touch, several attendees prefer the convenience of hybrid events. To appeal to this digitally-driven audience, businesses, in addition to hosting online events are also developing interactive websites and mobile apps, engaging in conversational marketing, and generating buzz on social media.
3. New online marketing collateral
Hybrid events make for excellent marketing material. Unlike physical events which can be forgotten, hybrid events can stay on for as long as the business would like. A good video editing team can cut sections of events and upload them to a cloud or on your website and these videos/montages can be made available free of charge or for a fee. They can also be repurposed as courses, discourses, and much more. And businesses have not just warmed up to this idea, they have been making good use of it too.
4. Profitability
Businesses often charge attendees a fee for in-person events to cover overhead costs. These costs, which run into massive amounts, can also eat into a business’s profits. Smarter businesses have understood that hybrid events serve the same purpose but at a fraction of the cost. As a result, they have organized hugely successful, profitable events while making their sponsors and attendees happy.
The event technology revolution
Hybrid events have also spawned the birth of several virtual and hybrid event platforms like Virtex that operate on various business models. This in turn has brought about several technological improvements in the events industry and has created the need for talent. Some of these firms have managed to crack huge funding opportunities while pulling off astonishing feats in event management.
The events industry is transforming already and will continue to cash in on the growing dependence of companies on technology for better reach, digital presence, and profitability.
Ways to promote and market your next hybrid event
You don’t necessarily have to run on a hybrid strategy here. Offline marketing is expensive so you can reduce your costs by using digital marketing tools offered by platforms like Virtex.
- Google Ads campaign: Create a quick ad campaign on Google and run it extensively on both the search and display network of Google.
- Social media campaigns: Depending on where your target audience is, choose a few social media platforms and boost your event.
- Website: Create a separate landing page for the event and direct your visitors to it whenever they click on an ad or an event post on social media.
