{"id":18265,"date":"2021-08-23T14:58:52","date_gmt":"2021-08-23T14:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vfairs.wpengine.com\/?p=18265"},"modified":"2025-02-19T06:36:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T06:36:01","slug":"designing-virtual-event-planner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/blog\/designing-virtual-event-planner\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Event Planner: Create the Ultimate Event Checklist + Free Template!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The world has been hosting virtual events for a while now, but they can still be a little difficult to plan and execute. Trying to plan a virtual event without a proper guideline or event strategy can end up with you losing all your marbles. No one wants that to happen.\u00a0 There are so many nuances to virtual event planning and a virtual event planner can help weather the storm.<\/p>\n<p>In this blog, we will discuss how event organizers like you can leverage a thoroughly built virtual event planner, and offer a free template to get you started on your virtual event planning journey.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">What\u2019s a Virtual Event Planner?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like a physical event, a virtual event planner is a detailed document that covers tasks to do along with their high-level details. These details can be task owners, important deadlines, or any further deliverables.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such a planner is typically created before an event starts so all the moving parts can come together before you get on with all the hard work of the event setup. It acts as an event checklist so you can make sure you strike off everything on your virtual event planning task list in a timely manner. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the sections it covers and how you can create one for your next event.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">1. Define Your Event Goals<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you begin with the virtual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/guides\/event-planning\/\">event planning<\/a>, you need to understand why you\u2019re hosting one in the first place. Clear event goals are the first step to enabling event success as they help hosts:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steer the event messaging towards the right target audience<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan activities that push them down the right conversion funnel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve brand awareness\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Along with this, you\u2019ll have to carve out other details such as event name, live dates, and target audience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">2. Budget for the E<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">vent\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18746\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/budgeting.png\" alt=\"sample budget for a virtual event\" width=\"622\" height=\"345\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/budgeting.png 882w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/budgeting-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/budgeting-768x426.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 622px) 100vw, 622px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Costs rise pretty quickly when you don\u2019t start off with a budget for your event. At the end of it all, you won\u2019t even know what hit you. A starting budget keeps you grounded from the very beginning and is a crucial part of an event checklist. It saves you from burying yourself in budgeting nightmares.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual event costs can vary greatly, most of them coming directly from your virtual event platform. Most of these start from around $10,000 and go upwards as you stack features or use more add-ons. 65% of all virtual event hosts spend between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markletic.com\/blog\/virtual-event-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$500 to $1500<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> per attendee, so it\u2019s common for a host to spend around $20,000 for a small company event for 20 people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To find the right solution for your budget, compare <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/event-management-platform\/virtual-events\/\">virtual event platforms<\/a> before you pull the trigger on a solution. Virtual event platforms vary greatly in the features that they offer for the price they charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An early comparison will make sure your event has everything it needs without emptying your pockets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">3. Finalize Event Partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next up, get your event partners in order. When you plan an event online, you will need event partners to support you through the journey. A well-designed virtual event planner should document all speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and representatives. As a virtual event host, you probably won\u2019t be meeting them before the event so coordinating in advance is absolutely critical.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a quick list of the things you\u2019ll need to track in your event checklist:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partner name<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partner contact information (number and email address)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deliverables such as speaking notes, marketing collateral<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deadlines<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">4. Put Together the Agenda<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With your partners on board, start chalking up an agenda for the event. You want to do this before you set up your virtual event so you\u2019ll know exactly what activities you\u2019ll be hosting.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your event agenda needs to have the activity information for each line item. This includes the activity title, name and credentials of the speaker (if any), and starting date and time for the session. A virtual meeting planner can help you sort out all your pre-event planning meetings with speakers or other stakeholders to set up an agenda for your event.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18736\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/numotions-nlc-agenda-796x1024.png\" alt=\"image of nlc&#039;s event agenda\" width=\"486\" height=\"625\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/numotions-nlc-agenda-796x1024.png 796w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/numotions-nlc-agenda-233x300.png 233w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/numotions-nlc-agenda-768x988.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/numotions-nlc-agenda.png 801w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An agenda will also help figure out the time and place for your sessions. Do you want any concurrent speaker sessions? When will the keynote speaker be on? All these questions are best answered before you start working on the event layout so you know exactly what you want your virtual event platform to do for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the types of activities you\u2019ll typically want to add to your agenda:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Welcome address<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plenary sessions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breakout sessions\/workshops<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keynote sessions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Games such as trivia and scavenger hunts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exhibition\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">5. Set Up the Virtual Event Platform<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/EDLANTA.png\" alt=\"EDLANTA virtual lobby\" width=\"648\" height=\"411\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/EDLANTA.png 962w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/EDLANTA-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/EDLANTA-768x487.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that most of the event details have been taken care of, it\u2019s time to set up the actual event. You don&#8217;t need a virtual event consultant if you have a digital event planner at hand that can help you every step of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot that goes into virtual event management and setup. You\u2019ve got to design the visuals, set up webinars, brand the platform, and much much more. This is why you need to track as many tasks as you need with an event checklist and cross them out as you go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a quick list of items you can include in your virtual event planner while setting up the platform:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, get in touch with the project manager to discuss your needs and expectations for the event.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, get your landing page, event details, and registration form up and running. Until and unless this happens, there will be no way to market the event and get registrations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrate any additional apps with the software.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up all the activities (including sessions and games) in the virtual event platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coordinate with exhibitors on their booth setups. Make sure you have everything you need from them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create all relevant marketing collateral including banners, logos, videos, and documents. Finalize the event layout with your project manager.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test the software, sessions, and equipment before the event.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">6. Market Your Event<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have the landing page set up, it\u2019s time to invite people! Virtual events are only as successful as their marketing strategies so you need to track every channel along with its deliverable in your virtual event planner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start with selecting the marketing channels for your event. Then, assign owners, set deadlines, and track deliverables. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need for your virtual event planner:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A content marketing plan including any blogs, articles, PR posts for the event.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A social media marketing plan for all your channels along with copy and graphics.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An email marketing plan with the entire drip campaign planned out.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optional: A paid marketing plan with budgets and launch dates.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">7. Analyze Event Performance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A hundred people registered for your event but only 10 attended the keynote session. What went wrong?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Event-dashboard-2.png\" alt=\"event reports\" width=\"491\" height=\"425\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Event-dashboard-2.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Event-dashboard-2-300x260.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Event-dashboard-2-768x665.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 491px) 100vw, 491px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tracking event performance helps accomplish four goals:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understand your target audience and their interests<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flag areas of improvement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Measure ROI and event success<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve future events<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These make it essential to monitor audience engagement throughout the event and after it as well. For your virtual event planner, track all your relevant metrics along with your desired goal and the actual result. This will help you decide what worked and what didn\u2019t, making it easier to plan for the future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-transform: none;\">Get the Virtual Event Planner<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That sums it up! While event planning can be a long and laborious task, timely planning gears you up for a stress-free event. An event checklist will be a lifesaver. Make sure to create a comprehensive virtual event planner before you start putting together the event. We don\u2019t want you chasing speakers while pulling at your hair. Are you interested? Get your <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/presentation\/d\/1AkUqORI8hKLXQVF1N8go9q1tq8oe63o3HuMWmN9Z38g\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FREE event planner here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The world has been hosting virtual events for a while now, but they can still&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":18550,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","blog_category-virtual-events"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vfairs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}