While Zoom has pros like familiarity and low cost, there are multiple reasons make event platforms a better option for high-quality events. This article explores why event coordinators prefer event platforms over Zoom and how to choose the right one for your brand.
An event platform is a digital venue where you can promote, plan, and host virtual events, such as conferences and webinars. This software is flexible and interactive because it provides event organizers with customizable tools to recreate the feeling of being present at a live event. Beyond virtual meeting software like Skype and Zoom, these platforms include several elements of a traditional meeting to make the event more exciting and immersive. In fact, event platforms have given government agencies a better way to organize public workshops, conferences, and internal trainings.
As an event planner organizing virtual or hybrid events, you should use event platforms because of the following reasons:
One of the importance of hosting events is facilitating networking for your audience. With event platforms, you can allow attendees to connect and discuss with one another. These platforms include features like group discussions, topic-specific forums, live chat, and meet-and-mingle sessions.
They also provide the contact details of each attendee. So, an attendee can hover their mouse over a prospective connection’s picture to check their background information and get a link to their contact details. Some event platforms, such as Performedia, also have allow breakout rooms for private conversations.
Choosing an event platform allows you to make your brand stand out. In fact, this is a significant reason organizers choose event platforms over Zoom. Just like a physical event, your imagery, brand colors, logos, and backdrop are elements that sponsors, speakers, and attendees would notice.
Rather than a plain, black-and-white screen, you can create a branded virtual background that will make attendees associate the event with your brand. Make sure that all the elements you integrate into the platform reflect your brand identity, from the registration and tickets to the virtual chat room and website design.
Nobody wants to watch tutorials on how to use an event platform. If the registration and logging-in process is complicated, they may miss the event. Event platforms are easy to operate, and they are compatible with every device. Many of them come in the form of mobile apps and have simple instructions people can follow. This will give attendees an excellent user experience.
During physical events, attendees’ hardly respond to surveys because most of them aren’t using their devices at that moment. Thankfully, event platforms have elements that allow improved feedback collection from guests. Additionally, you can gather feedback using the event platform’s analytics. This will help you plan better for the next event.
For virtual events, you need a tool to customize every aspect of the virtual space. An event platform allows you to change the imagery, backdrops, and colors of the space. This helps to set the theme and tone of the event. These platforms are also flexible for hosts to control access to the content they share during presentations.
With an event platform, you will find marketing your event cost-effective. Because data is essential when hosting any event, these platforms have an email system and attendee registration feature that allows you to send marketing materials to your audience. You can also use the platform to send live snippets or clips to your social media page to encourage more people to attend.
When organizing events virtually, you must run them seamlessly without creating barriers for your guests. For example, a Zoom meeting can accommodate only up to 1000 people. If your event is particularly large, you may have problems getting everyone to attend. However, when using event platforms, you can scale up to cater to hundreds or thousands of guests.
With technological improvements, virtual and hybrid events are becoming more interactive and personal. Unlike Zoom, event platforms have features like gamification, which help to incentivize attendee participation. Through this, you can introduce scavenger hunts, missions, and trivias to entertain and engage attendees.
Below we will provide factors to consider when choosing a platform for your events:
An event platform should ideally support live and on-demand content delivery. Whether having panel sessions, debates, or workshops, your chosen event platform should have tools that feature multiple speakers and conduct live broadcasts.
Like in-person events, monetizing virtual events is essential. Be sure the platform supports elements like ticket sales, access to on-demand content, and online ads. For example, a platform that supports on-demand content will increase sponsors' visibility after the event.
Integration with other digital tools is vital when it comes to event platforms. Your preferred platform should seamlessly integrate with systems you use to collect attendees' data, market the event, and personalize communication. Check if the platform is compatible with popular payment tools, registration systems, and websites.
Considering that guests will be attending the event from the comfort of their homes, they may experience challenges like screen fatigue and distractions. To avoid this, ensure the platform has tools that improve engagement with your attendees. Tools like chat rooms, social sharing, live polling, surveys, and quizzes help you get more out of the event.
To make attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers’ experience pleasant, you should use a simple platform. Bearing this in mind, you will want a system that has a user-friendly interface. This will give guests a positive user experience.
If your registration process is complicated, chances are attendees’ turnout will be low. Make sure the event platform has a ticketing system to make the check-in process efficient. This will also benefit you because you can measure your event’s return on investment by assessing the number of tickets sold daily.
Choose an event platform that offers virtual networking. Make sure it has functionalities that allow attendees to interact with speakers and other participants and share contact. Opt for platforms that provide private chat options because they’re ideal for building closer relationships.
Event platforms are instrumental in helping your brand cross borders without limits. Zoom may be an ideal option for organizing small internal meetings, but the benefits of event platforms for your virtual events outweigh the (minor) costs. When you consider factors like audience engagement and marketing opportunities, event platforms bring significant value to your business.
