The pandemic may not have heralded the end of the world, but it sure has altered the way we live. 

While we are now only beginning to adapt to what seems to be the new normal, one segment experiencing a paradigm shift is the way we carry out events.

Virtual events have been around for a while now, but are only witnessing mainstream adoption as a substitute to the traditional form of carrying out events. This is for good reason as we try to break the spread of the pandemic by limiting human to human contact through social distancing. 

In this post, we want to take some time to examine the rise of virtual events and the importance of fine-tuning these events to your international audience.

Virtual events are the new normal

Since the start of the lockdowns in April, more companies have begun to adopt a virtual form of event, this can either be in the form of webinars, virtual conferencing, or other adaptable forms. 

To put things into perspective, according to the 2020 Virtual Events Research Report by Wild Apricot, it is estimated that the number of organizations planning one form of virtual event or such had doubled in 2020 already. 

So, while many companies are cancelling already scheduled in-person events, others, in a bid not to allow spent resources go to waste, are exploring virtual and hybrid event options. On the surface, this may seem tedious, but we assure you that it isn’t. 

The need to develop a virtual event plan

Moving events from the traditional in-person system to a virtual one requires a plan since almost every organization have their peculiar requirements and objectives. 

An excellent place to start would be the choice of platform to adopt to host your virtual event, and this should depend on your already established objectives. 

Your plan should also include an efficient yet robust content and communication strategy. 

The ability to properly communicate the components of your activities drives up audience anticipation, leading to greater engagement and ultimately places you a step closer to a successful virtual event.

Global audience plays a vital role in expanding event outreach

While there may be conflicting opinions on the impact of virtual events against the traditional form of in-person events, there is no denying the fact that a virtual event has the potential to garner more participants since it is not limited by locational barriers. 

This is where your global audience comes into the picture. 

Every organization or event company needs to acknowledge and take into consideration the importance of catering to an international audience.

Language barrier is a crucial stumbling that needs to be addressed, and the virtual event host must ensure that all contents on their platform are accessible to every audience.

For example, a way to increase audience engagement is by incorporating Polls, Q&A’s, surveys etc. that have been translated and localized for every global audience.

An effective strategy to guarantee that content on the event platform is accessible is to ensure that pre-recorded content has translated subtitles and voice-overs for your global audience while also including real-time interpretation to all the speakers making a presentation in the event, this help to promote inclusion and compensate for the cultural diversity of your audience.

Live interpretation comes with its own requirements

The delicate nature of utilizing live interpreters demand that certain practices are followed to ensure a smooth event process.

• For starters, interpreters should be provided with documents that help them to properly understand the context, in order to convey the right message.
• Carry out sound and video tests beforehand to ensure there are no underlying problems (remember this is a live event)
• Have a clearly spelt out troubleshooting mechanism they can follow in the event of an anomaly.

In conclusion, while the arguments for the level of immersion virtual events holds, especially in the areas of audience engagement and the ability of participants to network. 

We have finally come to the realization that these events are here to stay due to the realities of our time.

The best bet is now to find solutions that make the entire experience of these events better especially when catering to a global audience. 

Are you looking for the most efficient way to cater to your culturally diverse audience while hosting your virtual events?

The interpreters and translators at Translationsinlondon are experts in handling the complexities involved in servicing diverse global audience during live virtual events.

Get in touch with us today at info@translationsinlondon.com