When you think of a virtual event, you may envision something like an online conference or a webinar. Sure – for many affiliate managers, it’s just manageable to host a well-executed webinar or conference with the right support. But, why not step outside the box and create something unique?
Kicking off an affiliate virtual event might be exactly what will help you move the needle on your affiliate campaigns. Today, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know to create a one-of-a-kind virtual event for your affiliate partners.
Why you should consider creating an affiliate virtual event
Imagine that you could create something that helps your affiliate partners feel like they’re part of an exclusive club. A virtual event can be the perfect way to reward your affiliates for their hard work and allow them to interact with each other in a more meaningful way than just email or social media. Not to mention the wide-ranging list of other top benefits of virtual events.
As an affiliate yourself, you can use the power of an exclusive virtual event to increase your ROI and gain more insights into the performance of your campaigns. You can also run one to address how to promote your affiliate program, as well as partner up with potential affiliates to expand your reach and strengthen your network.
How to get prepared for an affiliate virtual event
Now you know why you ought to consider planning one, below are some tips on how to host a successful virtual event.
#1 Choose the right platform
When it comes to virtual events, the platform you choose makes all the difference. You’ll want to find a platform that works well with your existing tech stack and offers features such as live streaming, chat rooms, Q&A sessions, and more.
Of course, depending on the type of event you’re hosting, you may need other features such as webinar capabilities or polls. Look for a platform that offers both live and on-demand components so your affiliates can watch the event whenever they have time.
Do your research on potential platforms beforehand so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you.
Our tip: Make sure the virtual event platform you choose meets your needs and can handle the amount of people who will be attending.
#2 Set expectations
Preparing for a virtual event is more than checking off a checklist and hoping the unexpected doesn’t arrive. Before you join an affiliate virtual event, set expectations of what you want to get out of the event.
Are you only there to hear about a certain topic and nothing else or are you trying to make contacts for potential business opportunities?
If it’s the former, be prepared to ask questions when prompted and take notes from your responses. If it’s the latter, come up with a quick introduction that expresses your interest in whatever comes up during the meeting. Whichever one applies to your situation, having clear expectations before joining an affiliate virtual event would ensure that both you and everyone else have something meaningful to take away from it.
Our tip: Let attendees know what to expect by clearly outlining the agenda, rules, and guidelines of your virtual event.
#3 Promote effectively
Promoting your affiliate virtual event is likely one of the most important factors leading to a successful event. Start by getting the word out with social media posts (with visuals and hashtags), email blasts, and press releases. Additionally, make sure you leverage the power of influencers in your network to spread the word about the event.
It may also be helpful to consider incentives such as discounts for early sign-ups or special giveaways for attendance. No matter your chosen route for promotion, make sure to plan enough time in advance and be creative with your efforts – it can definitely pay off!
Our tip: Use social media platforms or email marketing to promote your event and remind attendees to log in on time.
#4 Prepare visual elements
No matter what the theme of your virtual event is, visuals are key! When it comes to visuals, you can find existing materials that match the topic and format of your event, or create something specific. In either case, make sure to optimize the design elements based on audience demographics and type of material. When done right, a few well-crafted visuals helps break up an otherwise ‘text-heavy’ or monotonous event.
Our tip: Use visuals like slides or videos to break up text-heavy presentations and keep attendees interested during long sessions.
#5 Find a way to engage
Getting ready for a virtual event you will be hosting as an affiliate can seem challenging, especially since it’s likely that you’re going it alone. To make sure your event goes off without a hitch, consider ways to buid better engagement with your virtual event audience from the get-go to keep them curious and entertained.
It can be as simple as clever puns or cleverly edited GIFs – whatever works best for you and your audience. Just make sure to strike the right balance between too much and too little so their attention won’t wander away halfway through your event.
Our tip: Keep attendees engaged and create an atmosphere that is as close as possible to an in-person event by encouraging discussion, Q&A sessions or placing polls throughout the presentation.
#6 Follow up quickly
If you’ve had an affiliate virtual event, the last thing you want to do is sit around and wait for people to follow up with you after. Get ahead of the post-meeting jitters by sending a quick email or text message to your connections while the feeling is still fresh in their minds.
Even if it’s just a few words of thanks, it’ll show how seriously you’re taking things, and reminds them that they haven’t forgotten about you. Plus, it might spark some fruitful conversations that could benefit everyone involved!
One tip: Send thank you follow up emails afterwards with any notes, reminders or key takeaways from the virtual event for attendees to refer back to if needed.
Over to you
While hosting an affiliate virtual event can be intimidating, remember that by simply following these steps, you can make sure your event runs as smoothly and successfully as possible. Above all, don’t forget to have fun with it! And if you’re still feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to tackle each step properly, feel free to search for more tips or reach out to an experienced event planner for help.