When the pandemic hit, and we all went home, virtual connection became not only important but essential. A world that had been wildly connected before the shutdown had to develop new ways of socializing and, yes, hosting parties via the cloud.
With the holiday season right around the corner, here are some great tips on planning a successful virtual party that people will be talking about for years to come.
Plan Your Invite List
One of the best parts of virtual parties and events is that more people can attend. With no one needing to travel or even leave the comfort of their home, you can get more of your friends, family, or coworkers together for your event.
Base your guest list around the theme or reason for your event. Is this a team-building event for your office, a family gathering, or a holiday party for your friends? Being intentional and thoughtful with your invites will ensure greater attendance.
Come up with a Theme
Giving your event a theme will help draw people as well. If people know that there will be a set agenda around a mutually enjoyed theme, such as White Elephant or The Oscars, they will be more likely to go all out with participation.
When theming your event, make sure everything from your invite to your food suggestions and activities fit the theme you’ve chosen. Personal, creative touches help make the virtual party feel more like a live event.
One idea is bringing in vendors to join your virtual party and “kick it up a notch”. Special guests can include magicians for a child’s party, musicians, or trivia hosts. Many entertainment vendors have adapted to the uptick in virtual events and can tailor a presentation for you.
Keep Fundraising
Preciate, for instance, allows affinity groups to not only gather folks with similar interests but give access to fun event activities like dance-a-thons or online auctions. Immersive experiences allow virtual events to feel more like in-person parties.
One of the biggest losses during the pandemic was galas and dinners to do fundraisers for important causes. Many non-profits and activist groups risked losing out on funding. Planning virtual parties remains a popular option for groups who count on those events to keep fundraising alive for their organization.
Platform Matters
Learning the different technologies and options available to you for virtual events and parties will help make you the go-to planner. Choosing the correct platform can make all the difference. Party hosts will want to make sure that the platform they choose to host their event is not only robust enough to keep up with the demands of an event, but also offers enough options to make the party feel as “live” as possible.
Networking & Conversations
Just as with any other in-person party, people will want to move about and mingle with others. Being virtual doesn’t mean that you have to neglect that part of the party either. Platforms like Preciate, allow attendees to move around and switch conversations or rooms. This ability can create a real party feeling and urge attendees to engage with each other, spark conversations, and build relationships.