How virtual events can work best with speakers and hosts
2020 has been a major disrupter for corporate events. Gone are lavish company awards nights and full day conferences in exotic locations. Now, events have transformed into pre-recorded or live streamed digital events - commonly referred to as virtual events. Such events are being delivered over online video conference platforms like Zoom, where delegates and audience members can login from the comfort and safety of their own home and view the proceedings online.
Whilst virtual events lack the intimacy and human connection of real world events, they are the next best solution in a time where we are unable to physically be together.
So far, we have had several talent perform services at virtual events either as keynote speakers or hosts.
Shorten keynote durations for efficiency
Typically keynote presentations can be 30 - 45 minutes in duration, followed by a Q&A. Pre COVID-19, many keynotes were delivered before live audiences in settings designed and controlled by the event producers. Full attention was given to the keynote speaker and audience engagement levels were high (nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, so to speak!).
But within a virtual setting, event producers have little to no control over the environments that audience members are tuning in from. We can’t leave our homes to shop anymore, so the postman may arrive with deliveries during the call; school-age children will be at home and demand the attention of their parents; multiple web browsers may be open and folks may stray over to eBay or news websites during the virtual event… you get the picture. Distractions can rule and full attention may not always be given to the keynote speaker.
In an effort to try and keep an audiences’ full attention during a keynote presentation in a virtual format, we’ve seen that shorter keynote durations work best. Short and succinct keynotes demand less time of the audience, and engagement levels can be higher. We recommend 20 - 30 minute keynote durations for virtual events.
Treat virtual events like a high school musical. Rehearse!
Treating live virtual events like a high school musical makes sense. A musical or theatre production features rehearsals with all cast and crew before opening night to ensure everyone knows their cue. A live virtual event should be no different. When our talent have hosted live virtual events, typically it has been a full day engagement consisting of morning rehearsals and run-throughs, followed by the live event in the afternoon. Approaching the day in this manner provides confidence amongst all involved and eliminates any unwanted surprises during the live event.
Pre-recording segments will avoid headaches later on
Some virtual events may feature many different presenters or speakers sharing different pieces of information, often time the host acts as the ‘traffic cop’ throughout these moments to keep the event moving along in a timely manner. Having the option to pre-record certain exchanges with the host and guests speakers/presenters prior to the live event will eliminate any chance of technical errors, including difficulties with patching in guest speakers/presenters who may be offsite and participating from their homes. Bad WiFi can also cause havoc in a live stream when patching in various guests speakers/presenters from different locations. Best to incur any such problems in a pre-recorded environment rather than a live setting!
In summary, a different approach is needed when executing virtual events over live corporate events. Rehearsals and pre-recorded segments can help to ensure less technical errors during a live stream. And short, succinct keynote presentations will always work best in a virtual format so that the event moves along at a brisk pace and keeps audiences engaged.
