Virtual events have become a staple for organizations looking to connect with dispersed audiences, whether for conferences, product launches, or internal meetings. But while the format is convenient and scalable, keeping attendees engaged is often challenging. Luckily, you can transform your event from forgettable to impactful with the right tools and strategy.
Let’s walk through some ideas for a full-cycle approach to virtual event engagement, covering key tactics for before, during, and after your event.
What’s virtual event engagement?
Virtual event engagement refers to how actively connected your audience is during a virtual event. It goes beyond simply showing up: It's about interaction, participation, and value retention.
Engagement activities can take many forms, including virtual conferences, webinars, and team-building sessions. The more interactive and emotionally resonant you make the experience, the more likely your audience is to stay tuned in, remember your message, and take action afterward.
The value of knowing how to engage conference attendees
Knowing how to make a virtual event interactive and engage attendees directly influences the event’s success. An engaged audience is more likely to retain key information, provide feedback, and return for future events.
For event planners, having a solid engagement strategy mapped out in advance helps streamline the event flow and provides clear metrics for post-event analysis. An engaging event creates a more immersive and rewarding experience for attendees, which is welcome in remote or hybrid settings where distractions are just a click away.
Engaging virtual events help build stronger relationships between participants and hosts. This is especially important for event organizers looking to encourage community building, boost cross-team collaboration, or create positive workplace experiences.
Whether you’re planning a webinar or a multi-day summit, the right mix of interactive features, engaging content, and personalized touches can make all the difference.
30 creative ways to host a more engaging event online
Virtual activity engagement doesn’t usually happen by accident — it needs to be built into every phase of your event. Here are 30 actionable event engagement tips broken into three key stages: before, during, and after.
Before: Build excitement and connection early
1. Send personalized video invitations
Create custom video invites using a quick video maker to add a human touch. Include names, tailored messages, and a sneak peek at the agenda to promote buzz and excitement around the event.
2. Use a teaser video
Post a short teaser on social media or your company website. Highlight keynote speakers or fun surprises like giveaways to drive attendance.
3. Hold early-access polls
Poll registrants on what topics they want to be covered in the session. It sets expectations and gives attendees a sense of ownership over the agenda.
4. Encourage social sharing
Encourage attendees to share their participation on social media. Create a unique hashtag and tag sponsors to build pre-event excitement.
5. Host a pre-event Q&A
Use these webinar tools to host a short session where speakers answer audience-submitted questions before the event.
6. Provide a welcome kit
Send a downloadable PDF with bios, schedules, and tips for getting the most out of the experience. If the budget allows, consider sending physical swag from your business or sponsors. Welcome kits are a great opportunity to interact with attendees ahead of the event, plus it starts things off on a positive note.
7. Use an event app
An event app allows attendees to build their own schedules, set reminders, and chat with others before the event starts.
8. Gamify the RSVP process
Gamification ideas include offering incentives such as digital badges, raffle entries, or prizes for early signups.
9. Assign a buddy system
Pair attendees up before the event for mutual accountability, networking, or team games to encourage them to participate throughout. Make sure to let each participant know who their buddy is by email before the start date.
10. Share resources in advance
Send relevant blog posts, short videos, or research via email blasts to set the stage and provide relevant session context.
During: Drive interaction in real time
11. Open with an icebreaker
Kick off with a short poll, fun question, or mini trivia round to warm up the crowd. This sets the stage and gives you a chance to make attendees feel welcome.
12. Use live polls and quizzes
A virtual events platform can make it easier to integrate polls throughout sessions. Use them to gauge sentiment or incorporate trivia to quiz attendees on key points.
13. Enable live chat and Q&A
Encourage questions and commentary with a moderated chat or a dedicated Q&A window. This encourages real-time conversation and gives other attendees the opportunity to get to know each other.
14. Offer breakout rooms
Advanced interaction tools allow you to run breakout sessions for small-group discussions, networking, or brainstorming.
15. Host a live drawing or giveaway
A live element can make things a little more exciting. Announce that one random active participant will win a prize, then pick someone mid-session. This keeps participants engaged, even if just to hear their name.
16. Add music or motion
Incorporate video clips, animations, or a short music break to re-energize the crowd during long segments.
17. Bring in guest hosts
Have a different moderator or multiple speakers host each virtual session to keep things fresh.
18. Encourage emoji reactions
Simple visual cues like thumbs-up, claps, or hearts can keep the mood lively and create a sense of community.
19. Run a collaborative whiteboard
Invite attendees to contribute ideas or vote on visuals in a shared digital space. This can also provide you with data to refine future events.
20. Use captioned videos
Improve accessibility and retention by providing high-quality, captioned content via live streaming features.
After: Keep the momentum going
21. Share a highlight reel
Use video editing tools to create a short post-event video showcasing key moments and testimonials, then share widely. This keeps the event fresh in the minds of your audience long after it’s ended.
22. Send a thank-you video
A few words of thanks go a long way. Personalize your gratitude with a short, on-brand message from your team.
23. Provide on-demand access
Host recordings for easy, high-quality playback. Let attendees rewatch or share with colleagues. You can choose to charge for your on-demand videos or create a free video showcase.
24. Share post-event surveys
Get feedback while the experience is fresh. Ask participants what worked, what didn’t, and what they’d like next time.
25. Email takeaways and resources
Recap key insights in a concise email with links to slides, blogs, or tools mentioned during the event. This is also a handy way to group all of your resources together for your next planning session.
26. Highlight top contributors
Call out active attendees in your follow-up email or social post to reinforce positive participation.
27. Announce upcoming events
Keep your momentum going by sharing what’s next, which could be a related session or next year’s registration.
28. Offer certificates or digital badges
Recognize participation with downloadable proof of attendance or gamified achievements.
29. Keep the conversation going
Invite participants to join an ongoing Slack channel, LinkedIn group, or newsletter for continued networking.
30. Turn insights into content
Use poll data or Q&A topics as the basis for future blog posts, whitepapers, or training sessions.
Boost retention and audience interaction with Q&A and real-time feedback built into your stream.
How to measure event audience engagement
The best way to improve audience engagement is to track it. Here are some key performance indicators (KPIs) that showcase whether your efforts are working.
Attendance rate
What it is: The number of participants who show up versus those who registered.
Why it matters: High drop-off can signal weak pre-event engagement.
How to improve: Use teaser content, reminders, and clearer value propositions in your invites.
Average watch time
What it is: How long people stay tuned in to your session.
Why it matters: Reflects interest level and content quality.
How to improve: Break long sessions into chapters, use dynamic visuals, and keep sessions under 45 minutes.
Engagement actions
What it is: The number of interactions, like poll responses, chat messages, or breakout joins.
Why it matters: Active participation boosts knowledge retention and overall satisfaction.
How to improve: Incorporate more interactive elements and clearly explain how to use them.
Survey responses and NPS
What it is: Post-event feedback, often in the form of a Net Promoter Score.
Why it matters: Helps gauge overall event success and audience sentiment.
How to improve: Make feedback surveys short, timely, and easy to complete.
Content downloads or shares
What it is: The number of times people access or share your content.
Why it matters: Signals ongoing interest and extends the value of your event
How to improve: Offer value-packed content and simplify access via email or platform links
With analytics tools, organizers can easily track these KPIs and refine their approach for future events. Additionally, virtual event organizers can use built-in tools like polls, email registration, breakout rooms, and customizable branding to ensure every touchpoint is tailored for maximum engagement.
Take your virtual event engagement to the next level
Whether you’re planning a team-building day, product launch, or global conference, great virtual events don’t just fall into place naturally — they're carefully crafted for the people attending them. The right mix of planning, execution, and creativity can help you create meaningful experiences that stick.
A robust virtual event platform makes audience involvement easier by using intuitive features that prioritize high-quality interaction. For more expert tips and strategies, download this Virtual Events Handbook to learn how to create engaging event strategies, attract the right audience, and choose the right tools for professional results.
