A thriving community is one of the most effective ways to get new clients, reach business goals, and positively impact the industry. But, keeping your community engaged and thriving may not be a cakewalk.
There are many ways to strengthen your online following. But, hosting live events that add value to your members is one of the most potent engagement strategies.
When you’re new to the idea of hosting events, it could get overwhelming for you. Considering there are a variety of events that you can host in your online community, it is imperative to choose the right one. Let’s discover the various live community programs and which one works for your community.
Decoding the ‘What’ of Live Community Programs
Live community programs are where members can connect in real time. The key is to make conversations, but these programs can take many shapes. All the associated users, including speakers, brands, members, etc., will meet or talk at the decided time and venue. When members have something to anticipate, they tend to invest and engage more.
An example of a live community program is Community (re)Focus– A flagship virtual conference series led by community leaders. This live event presents learning and networking opportunities for community enthusiasts.
Here are a few types of live community programs:
1. In-Person Live Events: All participants including organizers, speakers, audiences, etc., are present physically at the defined venue and time.
2. Virtual Live Events: All participants connect virtually on an online platform.
3. Hybrid Live Events: Some participants are available in-person while others join virtually, at the same time. It is a combination of both online and offline participants.
The Power of Live Events in Online Communities
Apart from being an engagement effort, live community programs are beneficial in various ways, such as –
Members Can Develop a True Sense of Community
Live community programs give your members the chance to interact in real time. And, when they meet directly, whether in-person or virtually, they tend to form stronger relationships. That is why hosting live events is a powerful way to build an involved community.
Brands Can Gain Organic Conversations
When your targeted audience engages over a shared interest or purpose, it unfolds organic conversion opportunities. Imagine your customer collaborating with your brand in real time and asking questions. As the understanding peaks, it leaves a long-lasting impression on attendees.
Community Can Get More Participation
When you watch a movie with your friends, what do you do next? Discuss it with your friends. This is exactly how live events unfold. When your members attend your live events, chances are, they will indulge in follow-up discussions. Be it discussion threads, feedback, or reviews, the conversation happening around them will prompt them to get involved. Leverage this golden opportunity to glean information from your customers. And, tailor your offerings accordingly.
As you can see, live programs are an extremely useful tool that caters to your community engagement and participation. Whether it’s an in-person or virtual event, the decision completely depends on your target audience. Establish the primary goal you want to achieve by hosting an event and formulate an event strategy around it.
Wish to Build a Thriving Community Backed With Robust Engagement Strategies? Talk to Us!
Team Grazitti is adept at building robust communities with a stellar online presence that empowers your business with growth and ROI. To learn more about our CMaaS expertise, drop us a line at [email protected], and we’ll take it from there.