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Engaging audiences at events can be challenging, particularly if people feel like they have to be there, but don’t actually want to attend.

That’s why it’s so critical to get them pumped, but how? You’re about to find out.

Boost Event App Adoption

Apps are a dime a dozen these days. But that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it means that you can afford to build event-specific apps to cater to the needs of your audience.

Apps are a valuable engagement tool. They allow you to communicate directly with your audience via push notifications, and include features that help to optimize attendee participation.

Add Chat Moderators

If you’re hosting a virtual event, having chat moderators who can lead the discussion are extremely helpful. Instead of banning chat or curating it in some other way, moderators allow you to select the chat that is most beneficial for your event.

Add Live Polling

When attendees feel like you’re dominating proceedings, it can put them off. That’s why it’s a good idea to let them have their say whenever possible.

In this respect, adding live polling can help tremendously. You can ask guests about the day so far, or their opinion on a particular subject. Frankly, it doesn’t really matter, so long as they feel involved.

Offer Bespoke Drinks And Entertainment

Industry experts, such as Sweet&Chilli Events, point to the importance of offering guests bespoke cocktails, bar service and other perks. Again, the purpose of this is to make the event interesting. If you can offer something unique or thematic, it is much more likely to engage those in attendance.

Offer Entertainment

During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses tried to offer virtual entertainment to their guests. However, while it was a nice addition, there is no substitute for in-person.

Entertainment usually comes in two forms. Either companies use it to break up the educational or training sessions. Or they leave it to the end as a thank you to people for attending.

Create A Story

You’ve probably heard marketing professionals talking about the power of stories to foster engagement in your brand. Well, the same principle applies at your events. When you have some sort of overarching narrative, it makes it easier for attendees to remember the smaller details. Story packages up everything for them succinctly, aiding memory.

Go For Shorter Sessions

Unfortunately, attention spans are declining in much of the developed world. People are finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on what speakers are saying, particularly if you go over the 30-minute mark.

If you can, cut down on the length of your talks to perhaps 15 minutes. Then give people a chance to get up, move around, mingle, before going into the second session. Hopefully this way, they will feel more engaged in what you have to say.

Add A Suggestion Box

Lastly, you might want to add an anonymous suggestion box. This way, you can get some feedback on what your audience is really thinking when they attend your event. Perhaps they will make suggestions that will help you improve things next time.

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