Introduction
A virtual networking reception requires a certain amount of preparation from all stakeholders to ensure that everything is smooth.
If everyone’s not on the same page, the event easily falls into chaos due to the decentralized nature of a virtual event.
In this article, we go over best practices to ensure that your virtual networking reception is a success for all participants.
**If you’re not familiar with how you could host a virtual networking reception, feel free to visit this article on ways you can host a networking event here.
Best Practices
Define the Right Target Audience
It goes without saying that the goal of your virtual networking reception is to provide meaningful engagement between your attendees. Consequently, you need to make sure that your target audience is properly defined when hosting your event.
Will your event be for a specific industry? A specific profession?
By properly setting your audience, you minimize the chances that unnecessary engagements occur and ensure that everyone has something to add for the event.
Communicate the Event Early
A virtual event requires a certain level of commitment outside of a participant’s daily schedule. Unlike an in-person event, your attendees will not be physically there to participate at the virtual function. Chances are that they may be at home, at the office, or at a park even.
To account for this, you should communicate the event to your participants as early as possible. This allows the participants to put a calendar hold for the event and properly prepare ahead of time.
Properly Prepare Participants
In a virtual setting, it’s inevitable that a certain amount of technology will be used to facilitate your event. Technical issues may arise if your participants don’t acquaint themselves with the technology being used for your virtual networking reception.
Even if you’re using something as ubiquitous as Zoom, it’s paramount that you have your participants properly informed and prepared on the ins and outs of the event logistics so that everything is smooth during the event itself.
Have a Proper Medium for your Networking Event
There are several ways you can go about hosting a virtual networking reception. Depending on the engagements that you’re trying to facilitate, there will be different platforms that will be more conducive for your event.
Some virtual networking receptions can be hosted simply on Zoom. Others may be more complicated and require a dedicated platform for virtual events. It will be important for you to consider your specific context to decide on a virtual medium that will be best for your virtual event.
For some suggestions on how you can format your event, you can visit our article Ways to Host a Virtual Networking Fair.
Provide day-of support
Similar to how you may have a helpdesk at an in-person event, it’s always a good idea to have a virtual help desk to provide day-of support. Inevitably, questions will always arise during your event whether their inquiries about your programming or inquiries on technical support.
Conclusion
Given the wide use cases for networking events, everyone’s virtual networking reception will be unique in its own way. That said, the aforementioned best practices help ensure that you have the main bases covered to ensure that your event is a success for all.
