{"id":7720,"date":"2020-04-16T17:23:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T21:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/?p=7720"},"modified":"2021-04-21T11:24:21","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T15:24:21","slug":"keep-virtual-events-human","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/originals\/keep-virtual-events-human\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep the Humanity in Your Virtual Events"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

Ever seen a futuristic movie where the hero tries to promote<\/em> robot domination? Didn\u2019t think so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology inherently takes a lot of the humanity away from our shared experience. And while life as we know it might not be at stake right now, that statement also applies in the virtual event world<\/a>. Saying hello and watching a keynote speech through a Zoom window will never be the same as finding your seat in a conference room, laughing along with thousands at a joke that lands especially well, or nodding in recognition when the speaker makes a great point.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That inserted technological layer separates people from each other, physically and emotionally, weakening the connection of the event. So how can you try to get some of that connection back? We talked to some event experts who are finding ways to do just that. Here are a few tips for maintaining the human element of events when you take your event online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lead with empathy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is paramount. You want your event to feel human? Don\u2019t overthink it\u2014you are<\/em> human, after all, and so are your attendees. So, then, consider shaping every aspect of your program with empathy. Don\u2019t cut corners because it would save money or time when it risks alienating your attendees. Jason DeLand, founding partner of creative agency Anomaly, said as much during a recent AdAge Virtual Pages discussion<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving empathy, being human, trying to understand, pause, reflect, be calm in the face of chaos\u2014these are the things that I think people are looking for,\u201d DeLand said. \u201cBrands can play a role there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff Bardin, vice president and experiential marketing director at creative agency Giant Spoon, agrees that the way event organizers shape their message is key\u2014not just what is said, but the way it\u2019s said. \u201cFor me, (maintaining humanity in virtual events) is all about the message,\u201d Bardin said. \u201cWhat is the person saying? Will it connect with me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes two to talk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On a more practical level, event marketers can facilitate empathetic communication with their attendees by making sure that they\u2019re heard. Promote the ability for those who attend your event to engage with speakers and experts\u2014invite them to talk back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a larger scale, that might look like a Q&A session after a keynote\u2014there are existing tools, like Pubble or Slido (or even just the chat function in Zoom), to help you accomplish that. Perhaps you can reserve a virtual place for attendees to leave individualized feedback on sessions, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a smaller scale, two-way conversation might be accomplished in highly-curated breakout sessions, or a \u201cspeed dating\u201d function where attendees can have quick conversations with their contemporaries. Those \u201csocial lubricant\u201d conversations at events\u2014waiting in line at the bar, taking the elevator down together, eating a quick lunch\u2014are a very important part of the experience for a lot of people. Try to create situations like these where attendees have the chance to communicate informally with other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n