Virtual events: content, dynamics, interaction

Since the Corona crisis, the virtual event stage has been in the spotlight, forcing the event industry to translate established event formats from analog to digital. The success of online events depends not only on technology, but above all on relevant video elements, moderation and dramaturgy.

Content: Brevity is the key

Viewers of online events follow the events passively, as with TV consumption. Depending on the proportion of an event's fixed fan base, the attention span ranges from 15 minutes to a maximum of two hours. Anything beyond that requires truly captivating content as well as a very interested audience. Therefore, the most important advice is: brevity is the spice.

Use interaction possibilities

The interaction between artists, speakers and presenters with the audience, but also the interaction of the participants with each other, is one of the most important added values of analog events. Only this creates a shared experience. Establishing this connection via the Internet is a challenge. One possibility, for example, is to have a "network reporter" regularly connect to the event during the online event and read out comments from the audience.

Dynamics through a change of perspective

While visitors to analog events necessarily change their perspective, the event experience at online events is limited, in the worst case, to a static point of view - that of the camera. That's why it's a good idea to add as much dynamism to the event as possible. To liven up the live stream, organizers should switch between at least two or more camera angles. Depending on the event, it can even be helpful to employ a cameraman who keeps moving and thus brings dynamic perspectives into play.