A Beginner's guide to hosting online networking events

Event Management
Issued on: 02 Jan 2023

If you're looking to network with other professionals, online networking events can be a great way to connect with people in your industry. These events are typically hosted on different virtual platforms, and they allow participants to connect with each other via video chat.

Many online networking events also offer the opportunity to share information about your business or project, which can help promote your work to a wider audience. If you're interested in hosting an online networking event, but don't know where to start, don’t worry, we have got you covered.

Hosting an Online Networking Event

The purpose of hosting a networking event online is to create a space for professionals to

Connect with each other,
Exchange ideas,
And build relationships.

By bringing together like-minded individuals, these events provide opportunities for collaboration and growth. In today's increasingly digital world, networking events are a valuable way to build connections and expand one's professional network.

These events are a great way to connect with like-minded professionals in your industry or field. By attending these events, you can learn about new trends, share best practices, and make valuable connections that can help further your career.

When choosing an online networking event to attend, be sure to pick one that's relevant to your industry or field. This will help ensure that you meet people who can help you further your career. There are also many networking events held online that cater to specific interests or niches, so you're sure to find one that's a perfect fit for you.

Benefits

Online networking events have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they offer a convenient and efficient way to connect with potential business contacts. These events can be a great way to build relationships and generate new leads, as well as learn about new products and trends in your industry. Here are some of the main benefits of attending an online networking event:

You can save time and money. Instead of having to travel to an event location, you can attend an online networking event from the comfort of your own home or office. This can save you both time and money on transportation and accommodation costs.
You can reach a larger audience. These events usually have a larger attendance than traditional events, as people from all over the world can participate without having to be physically present. This gives you the opportunity to connect with more people and potentially expand your business network.
You can tailor the event to your needs. When you attend a networking event online, you can choose which sessions or conversations you want to join, based on your interests or needs. This allows you to get the most out of the event by participating in discussions that are relevant to you.
You can connect with people in different industries. Online networking events provide the perfect opportunity to connect with people from different industries who you wouldn't normally meet in person. This can help you broaden your perspective and gain valuable insights into other businesses or areas that you may not be familiar with.

A Guide to Hosting an Online Networking Event

If you're looking to connect with others in your industry or grow your professional network, hosting a networking event online can be a great way to do it. But if you've never hosted one before, the whole process can seem a bit daunting. Here's a beginner's guide to help you get started.

1. Define the Purpose of your Event

First, you need to define the purpose of your online networking event. What is the goal? Are you looking to generate new leads? Connect with potential customers or clients? Build relationships? Once you know the purpose, you can determine who you want to invite.

For example, if you're looking to generate new leads, you'll want to invite people who are in your target market and who might be interested in your product or service. If you're looking to build relationships, you'll want to invite people who are in similar industries or who have complementary businesses.

2. Select the Best Platform

When you're planning an online networking event, one of the first decisions you'll need to make is what platform you'll use. There are a variety of options out there, and the right one for your event will depend on a number of factors.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a platform for your online networking event:

What kind of event are you planning? A small, intimate gathering will have different needs than a large conference.
How many people do you expect to attend? This will affect your choice of platform as well as your budget.
What kind of features do you need? If you're planning on having breakout sessions or workshops, you'll need a platform that can accommodate that.
Are there any special requirements? For example, if you're planning an international event, you'll need a platform that can handle multiple languages.

Taking all of these factors into account will help you choose the best platform for your online networking event.

Are you currently looking for a platform to host your event? If yes, then Oreed might be one of the best options available for you. With Oreed, you will be able to find all the event management capabilities in one place. Not only will you be able to understand your attendees better, but you will also be able to have a centralized database of the clients’ recommendations on an automated basis.

Moreover, there is a system in place that processes certificates and accreditations at the end of the event. With a better understanding of the attendees, you will be able to generate a higher engagement as well as attendance for your future events which will make hosting each of your virtual events easier than the previous one.

3. Make it an Immersive Experience

When you're planning your next online networking event, keep in mind that you want to make it an immersive experience for your attendees. There are a few ways to do this:

First, create a theme for your event. This will help set the tone and give your attendees something to dress up for (if they so choose). Make sure your theme is something that will get people talking - something unique and interesting.
Second, choose a fun and interactive format for your event. A lot of times, online networking events can be quite dull and boring. But if you mix things up and make it more interactive, people will be more likely to stick around and have fun. Think about incorporating games, prizes, or other activities into your event.

For this purpose, Oreed's gamification features are a great way to make your social networking events more fun and engaging. By adding games to your event, you can add an element of competition and excitement that will get people talking and interacting with each other. This may as well play an essential role as icebreaker activities between attendees.

Third, make sure you have ample opportunities for networking. This is the whole point of the event after all! So plan accordingly and make sure there are plenty of chances for people to mingle and chat with one another. You could even consider breaking people up into small groups at different points during the event.

By following these tips, you can be sure that your next online networking event will be one that everyone enjoys and remembers!

4. Come up with Virtual Conference Networking Ideas

If you're looking for some virtual conference networking ideas, you've come to the right place. Conference networking can be a great way to build relationships and expand your professional network. However, it can be difficult to network effectively when you're not in the same room as other attendees.

Here are a few virtual conference networking ideas to follow at virtual conferences:

Use social media to connect with other attendees before and during the event. This can help you identify people you'd like to connect with and start conversations ahead of time.
Make use of chat features during the conference. Many virtual conferences have chat functionality that allows you to connect with other attendees in real time. This can be a great way to make new contacts and catch up with old friends.
Send follow-up messages after the conference is over. Connecting with people after the event is a great way to solidify new relationships and keep the conversation going.

Final Thoughts

Assuming everything goes according to plan, hosting an online networking event can be a great way to connect with people from all over the world. You'll get to hear from some interesting speakers and learn about new topics, all while building your professional network. Just make sure to put in the effort upfront and you'll be sure to have a successful event.

So what are you waiting for? Book a demo with Oreed today and promote lifelong learning through Oreed by experiencing the most powerful all-in-one training and development intelligent platform that streamlines all your organization's learning, training, and development activities in one place.