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In this process of digital transformation, accelerated by the pandemic that began in 2020, companies are faced with a big question: What type of event is best for me?
The question of whether digital events can achieve the same results as face-to-face events is the order of the day.
It is clear that 2021 was hybrid, and it seems that this trend is going to explode much more in 2022. But when to choose one or the other? Here are some tips and guidance to help you plot your best strategy.
Differences between the different events
Today, a public relations agency can design three types of events for companies:
- 100% digital event: these are meetings that take place remotely. Both speakers and attendees connect digitally through certain platforms. Generally, in digital events, users connect simultaneously at a specific time and date, but this does not have to be the case for all events.
- Face-to-face event: before the arrival of the pandemic, this was the most commonly used event. All interested parties gathered in the same physical space where the meeting, presentation or lecture took place.
- Hybrid event: in this last type, part of the attendees and speakers meet face-to-face and the rest attend digitally from wherever they are. In other words, the event takes place physically, but it is also broadcast digitally, bringing the two worlds together.
Advantages of each
On the one hand, 100% remote events save a lot of money. The investment in protocol, travel, organization, accommodation, among others, will be minimal or even zero. In addition, they can reach many more people, as those interested can connect from anywhere in the world.
On the other hand, face-to-face events transmit much more closeness and attendees and participants can create more bonds between them, thus generating a much more enriching and complete experience. In addition, the visual impact on attendees will be much greater.
Finally, hybrid events combine the benefits of both worlds. They offer flexibility by allowing each person to participate in the way they want or can. This can greatly increase the audience for the event, as both people who prefer face-to-face and virtual events will attend.
What type of events fit best with each way of doing it?
In reality, any type of event can be adapted to the digital world. However, there are some that, due to their characteristics, it is difficult for them to be completely converted online.
For example, fairs and exhibitions are events whose essence is impossible to transmit digitally. This is also true for award ceremonies and concerts.
What 2022 does bring is that events will tend to become hybrids and offer the possibility to attend both digitally and in person.
What should you look at when deciding whether your event is best done digitally, face-to-face or hybrid?
In this sense, the best thing to do is to look at the objectives you want to achieve with the event. Review the benefits of each and choose the one that will help you achieve them in the best possible way.
For example, if your budget is not very high, 100% online events will undoubtedly be your best option. As time goes by, you can consider other types of events. In addition, digital events can be a very good way to get a good start and to see how your audience welcomes your events.
If you are looking to generate a community among attendees, face-to-face events are much more useful. People can engage in conversations at any time and networks can be created, which is very difficult to achieve at digital events.
If you have several objectives and you want to reach the widest possible audience and create a community, hybrid events can be a very good option. They are cheaper than face-to-face events and, in addition, they offer the possibility for people who live far away to participate, thus increasing the number of attendees.
In short, what do you want to achieve? By answering this question and taking into account your situation as a brand, you can choose the best option for your company.
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