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How Virtual Events Increase Customer Engagement

Contributed Article by Katie Pierce

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During the pandemic, many meetings, conferences, and other similar gatherings were either limited or completely halted. The restrictions of the previous years have necessitated organizations and industries to shift how they organize their campaigns and activities. One clear example of this is the popularity of virtual events. It is no longer unusual for people to attend product launches or sales summits virtually instead of face-to-face. Indeed, virtual events have become a necessary tool for boosting customer engagement in today's digital age. But how? Through this blog post, we'll unpack just how effective they can be for businesses to connect, create, and build relationships with their audience. 

How Virtual Events Benefit Customer Engagement

Here are six reasons to include online events in your arsenal of marketing strategies:

1. Personalization

Digitization allows for personalization on a whole new level. With this technology, businesses can tailor the virtual event experience to the individual preferences and interests of would-be attendees. This level of customization can increase the connection between businesses and their customers by making the event feel more relevant to the latter. Additionally, organizers can create targeted marketing and personalized communication with participants through email and social media. As a result, they can achieve a more immersive and valuable experience for everyone.

2. Interactivity

Virtual events offer a range of interactive features that are typically not possible in traditional in-person events. Some examples include live polls and Q&A sessions, virtual networking opportunities, and breakout rooms. These innovations make active, real-time participation possible and encourage more people to continue joining future online activities. 

Events in the digital space also enable the use of gamification elements, such as virtual scavenger hunts, trivia games, and quizzes. These make them even more engaging and dynamic. Yet another plus of online events is the incorporation of synergistic multimedia, such as videos and animations. This allows the event to be more captivating and memorable for the customers.  

3. Accessibility

What if you could remove barriers to attendance, such as distance and travel costs? You can—with virtual events! This technology can enhance accessibility and boost customer engagement by removing geographical limitations and increasing inclusivity for a wider range of attendees. Thus, people who previously could not attend in-person events due to location or mobility issues can now participate from anywhere. All they need to have is an internet connection! 

Online events also offer beneficial high-tech options such as closed captioning, live transcription, and sign language interpretation. These can make any event more accessible to people with hearing or vision impairments. Additionally, digital presentations or shows can also be recorded and made available on-demand, enabling prospects with busy schedules to watch them at a later time. 

4. Convenience

Yet another plus of virtual events is the increased practicality and ease, which can boost engagement by eliminating the need for travel. Instead, customers can participate in the event from their cozy homes or offices, saving them plenty of time to do more productive things. This benefit also does away with having to take time off from work or other obligations to be able to attend in-person conferences. 

Also, such events can be scheduled at different times to accommodate different time zones. This makes it quite convenient for attendees from other parts of the world to join the gatherings or watch the presentations. Finally, digital events often have more flexibility when it comes to the duration and format, allowing participants to tune in and out as they please. All of these can lead to a more satisfied audience, making the event more successful.

5. Data and Analytics

One powerful way that virtual events can impact a business's connection to its customers is via data and analytics. Platforms such as Zoom, Webex, and others can provide accurate details such as the number of participants, their demographics, and their engagement level. These can then be used to improve future activities or campaigns and inform the company's overall marketing strategy. 

For instance, the information gathered can help event organizers better understand the needs and desires of their audience so that they can tailor their virtual activities accordingly. On top of that, digital events can also track attendees' interactions with their different elements. This can help secure valuable insights into what aspects of the event are most engaging. Such technology can also capture data on the individuals’ behaviors before and after the event, such as the number of clicks on the registration page, the number of participants who watched the event on demand, and more. These inputs can aid organizers in deep-diving into the event's effectiveness and plan for future improvements.

A Final Note

Virtual events are a must-have for any company or organization intending to stay relevant in the 21st century and beyond. They can help widen audience reach regardless of location and time, deliver a more personalized and interactive experience, and secure precious data and analytics. With the added benefits of cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and accessibility, these events are definitely vital tools for boosting customer engagement in the ever-evolving business landscape. 

Are you looking for more effective and innovative ways to connect with your target audience to grow your business? Then, join us at the much anticipated digital moment dubbed "The Journey of the Connected Customer," happening on March 13-15, 2023! Check out more details by visiting the blog of CrmXchange today!