Top 5 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Virtual Event Software

Recently, virtual events have exploded in popularity. Not only do they provide unprecedented accessibility by making it easier than ever to gather attendees for webinars, conferences, career expos, and more. They also lead to greater reach, more engaged audiences, and the ability to provide more value to attendees. 

Alongside virtual events’ growing popularity, we’ve seen many new virtual event softwares hitting the market. However, with so much variability between platforms, event organizers might find it difficult to choose the best platform for their event. This guide will provide you with the top questions to consider when selecting the best virtual event software for your event. 

What’s the size of your virtual audience? 

Like live event planning, virtual audience size dictates many other choices you’ll make. While many platforms claim to be perfect for “events of any size,” we recommend confirming a chosen platform’s capabilities, especially if you need something that can accommodate large-scale broadcasts. By keeping your specific audience size in mind, you can find a platform that fits your needs rather than adapting your event to fit the platform. 

How much production control do you need? 

Zoom meetings have become so routine these days that we hardly even think of them as “virtual events.” Still, your basic Zoom meeting is a great benchmark when considering how much production control you need over your virtual event. 

For example, Zoom’s native production capabilities are limited—attendees can change their backgrounds, event organizers can share screens and audio, and the chat function offers a simple way for audience members to engage with each other and moderators. On the other end of the production spectrum, we can create fully custom and immersive virtual environments, which can enhance or completely transform many off-the-shelf virtual platforms. Depending on your event goals, plenty of platforms offer different degrees of production control. 

You can also consider whether you need built-in production tools or have the ability to use external hardware and studios to achieve your desired look and feel. For some events, simpler is better, especially if you plan to handle production in-house.  

What happens after your event? 

The days, weeks, and months leading up to your event are full of planning and strategy. But have you considered what comes next? The beauty of virtual events is that they aren’t constrained to one time or place. Instead, attendees from around the world and in different time zones can engage with your event at their own convenience. Of course, you’ll want virtual event software that supports your post-event needs to take full advantage of this fact. 

For example, do you need an on-demand feature so attendees can access your event recording after the live stream? Do you need powerful post-event analytics to track who participated, as is the case for events offering CE credits and certifications? These post-event considerations will narrow the scope of your search for the best virtual event platform. 

How much interactivity do you need? 

Virtual event software runs the gamut when it comes to interactivity. So, how do you want attendees to be able to interact with presenters and each other? Are you looking for an immersive experience where attendees can feel like they’re in the conference hall or on the trade show floor? 

A few ways to promote attendee interaction include: 

• Gamifying the virtual event experience
• Enabling 1-on-1 chats and networking opportunities
• Supporting side meetings and breakout sessions
• Asking for audience responses and enabling push notifications
• And more!

Consider whether audience interactivity is a top priority for your event. For example, the interaction requirements for a company-wide town hall likely differ significantly from an ongoing Webinar series. 

Does the virtual event platform meet your organization’s security requirements? 

None of the bells and whistles matter if a virtual event platform can’t meet your organization’s security requirements. With so many options becoming available in such a short time frame, vetting security capabilities remains a significant challenge for many. Luckily, Tallen has provided expert insights into running secure virtual events for over a decade. We’ll never recommend a platform or software if it puts your or your client’s sensitive information at risk. 

Which is the best virtual event software? The one that works for you!

At Tallen, we focus on reliability and usability when recommending virtual event software. The best platforms have a strong backbone and built-in redundancies so that if something does go wrong, the impact on your event is minimal. Unfortunately, while numerous new platforms offer flashy VR and trendy avatars, many have yet to be thoroughly vetted. As a result, after extensive testing, many have failed to live up to Tallen’s high standards for reliability. 

Let Tallen recommend a virtual event platform that works for you

When organizing a virtual event, you have enough on your plate without comparing and contrasting hundreds of available software options. Tallen’s expert team has over ten years of experience creating impactful virtual events. We can integrate with the platform of your choice or make recommendations based on your event’s size, scope, and goals. From Zoom and WebEx meetings to specialized platforms, we meet you where you’re at and create solutions that work for you! 

Get in touch to learn more about our virtual event capabilities, and let’s create impactful events together!