Top 5 Talent Tips for Virtual and Hybrid Events - Smart Meetings Magazine
We have the talent.
We’ve been experimenting with virtual event roles and we’ve learned that they are similar to traditional event roles. The key difference is that virtual event roles require tech skills and a willingness to step into unfamiliar territory. By looking at live event experiences, soft skills and innate strengths paired with a high aptitude for technology, we are able to identify talent for the new roles that exist today.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
As we see it, the meeting planning role itself hasn’t changed—the venue has. Think of the virtual event platform as the hotel. Virtual event planners are still project managers and logistics experts, but now they’ll treat the platform the way meeting planners would treat a venue.
Along the same lines, there are new types of vendors in the virtual event space, like Virtual Bartenders and Virtual Emcees that cater specifically to virtual event experiences.
A little empathy goes a long way.
As the demand for Webcast Producers continues to increase, we need to find talent to support this role. If you think about a live event experience, the Webcast Producer is the equivalent of an audiovisual technician in a meeting or breakout room. Instead of operating physical equipment in the room, webcast producers need to know how to use the virtual event platform and how to handhold speakers through tech checks and presentations.
The major difference between these roles is the increased need for empathy and customer service. Most presenters are not accustomed to presenting virtually. It can make them feel extremely vulnerable and lead to a stressful situation. We found meeting planners and on-site event staff have the soft skills to support these stakeholders.
Silence can be awkward. Improvise.
As we adapt to virtual event tech, unexpected delays or tech malfunctions are a reality. We’ve learned virtual event moderators mitigate the risk of producing an awkward event.
Recently, we encouraged one of our freelancers, who is a live event entertainer, to try the role of a virtual event moderator because of her adaptability, flexibility and ability to think fast. During her first event, there was a technical glitch and she kept the group engaged for 15 minutes until the problem was fixed. Instead of uncomfortable dead air, she quickly turned a negative into a positive and created a spontaneous and memorable experience for attendees.
Storytelling from start to finish.
Virtual event marketers are starting to align more with broader digital marketing specialist roles. This shift has been a long time coming. Through companies like Cvent, we’ve seen how event tech is an important part of the marketing stack.
The way we approach marketing is still about storytelling, but virtual event marketers need to be adept in digital mediums and understand the nuances of virtual events. People with graphic design, content management and messaging skills will help build anticipation and create a brand story that performs well in the virtual environment