There’s no running away from virtual events. As both the world and our industry shift consistently, it’s our job as event planners to keep up! And you’re probably very much aware of this already. Chances are you’re already gearing up to put together your first virtual event. There are many questions you’re asking yourself. But if you are somewhat aware of everything a virtual event entails, then you know about virtual event platforms.
Here at Endless, we’re not new to this virtual world. But we can understand why it might be tempting to go for an “all-in-one” platform that promises to do everything you need. Here’s the catch: it can’t. No matter how many features a single platform promises you, the chances it can deliver a successful virtual event are very slim. In this article, we explore why “all-in-one” virtual event platforms just won’t cut it if you want to be successful in this somewhat stressful endeavor!
Jack Of All Trades, Master Of None
So, we’re all familiar with the saying “Jack of all trades, master of none”. And this applies perfectly when considering virtual event platforms. Because here’s the kicker when it comes to the services that promise everything, from the streaming to the chat rooms, and beyond – they’re not specialized. The concept of a virtual event is still fairly new. This means these platforms never had the chance to fully develop and be able to deliver seamless services on all fronts. They’re lagging and still trying to adapt to the new paradigm of events.
Let’s say they have the best streaming service. But in order to make that happen, something else is probably going to suffer. Maybe it’s the networking/chat room aspect of the service. Maybe it’s the quality of the content. Whatever it is, it will end up hurting your event. Because they most likely don’t have specialized technicians and world-class engineers that are familiar with the ins-and-outs of the production side.
If the choice comes down to throwing a virtual event together using a single platform that will under-deliver because they aren’t prepared or not do the event at all, maybe the second option doesn’t look so bad. At the end of the day, virtual events are still about bringing people together. And providing an unforgettable experience. Only this time, through the use of technology. So why take chances with something that can hurt you more than help you?
You Can’t Repurpose Your Costs
If your in-person event was canceled due to reasons out of your control, you might be considering doing the shift to a virtual event. That’s an incredible first step! But you probably incurred some costs during the planning process. Whether it was venue or equipment-related, you might have a sinking feeling that those costs simply can’t be recouped. And now, you might as well wave that money goodbye for good.
Well, if you decide to go with an “all-in-one” platform, that will likely be true. The probability that the people behind these companies are willing to talk to you, go through all these costs and the planning you already had set up are slim. What they’re looking for is clients that will pay a flat fee in exchange for the services.
But if you go to a Virtual Event Production company, they’ll be more than happy to hear you out and see where you’ve already spent money. They know that there’s really no reason to reinvent the wheel on things like scheduling platforms and attendee management software. Instead of scrapping it all once and for all, they will make an effort to see how you can integrate these things into your new, revamped, virtual event. This means you won’t lose all the money you already put into your in-person event, and can actually make it work for the virtual version!
Customization is Harder & Costly
One of the biggest trends sweeping not only the events industry but the world of business as a whole is hyper-personalization. More and more, consumers expect to be offered products, services, and experiences that are tailored to their wants and needs. This will apply to your virtual event experience as well!
But if you go with virtual event platforms that have everything sorted out, we hit the brick wall of lack of specialization again. These platforms won’t take the time to know what the goal of your event is. What was the thought process behind it? Why it was designed the way it was? They will provide you the tools and tell you to just run with it. And why would your attendees want to be part of an experience that has nothing to set it apart? And why choose a platform that is essentially standardizing virtual events? Even the all-in-one virtual event platforms who do offer the option of customization will cost you, and a lot. So you’re stuck with either going to be stuck with standardization or extremely expensive customization.
On the other hand, working with a Virtual Event Production company can make sure that the vision you had for your in-person event translates into virtual seamlessly. Instead of one size fits all army boots, you’ll get a custom fit Cinderella shoe! It’s all about creating a customized experience that encompasses the best tools. Looking at the individual pieces that will replace the most fundamental aspects of the in-person experience and make them work together to deliver you and your attendees the single, most interesting virtual event you can imagine.
There’s No Support From Experienced People
If you were planning an in-person event, would you be okay with not hiring sound technicians? Engineers? Specialists in their fields who are there to make sure every single technology-related aspect goes perfectly? The answer is obviously no. Then why would you do the same for your virtual event?
Just because the paradigm has shifted, it doesn’t mean it’s wise to say goodbye to every single thing that was paramount for the in-person experience. If you’re not a super tech-savvy person who’s comfortable with live-streaming technology, building websites, good camera, and audio quality, and so on, you’ll need a team of “resident geeks” on your side. People who’ve been working with these things for years, are already more than familiarized with events and can take all of these responsibilities off your shoulders – something “all-in-one” virtual event platforms simply can’t do for you.
It’s in your best interest to surround yourself with a team that has experience doing virtual events, consists of world-class professionals that know how to navigate tools and technology in their sleep and will be your single point of contact from start to finish.
Venturing into new waters is already stressful as it is. If you take it upon yourself to ensure the quality of the content, sound, lighting, and streaming, along with everything else that planning a virtual event entails, you’ll probably end up losing your mind and hurt your event. There’s no need to juggle everything by yourself!
Conclusion
So, when all is said and done when it comes to virtual event platforms, what should you do? Well, the best piece of advice we can give you is to make sure you work with the best. Yes, virtual events are still fairly new. And turning and in-person event into a virtual one might seem like a daunting task.
But consider this: if you hire a Virtual Event Production company who knows how to integrate the best tools available, you’re one step ahead. Because not only do they know the technology, but they will also put in the effort to repurpose your costs, customize the experience and tailor it to your specific needs and goals. All of this with the guarantee that they will be by your side every step of the way, fine-tuning the tech aspects and ensuring the overall success of your event. Don’t waste another minute, and get in touch with us today!
