Want to leverage event planning skills to earn money remotely? With demand spiking for virtual events after 2020, new opportunities emerge to provide online event management as a flexible side business or full-time role. This comprehensive guide covers key steps to start coordinating lucrative corporate webinars, virtual tradeshows and hybrid event formats.
Research Virtual Event Planning Niches
While all events now incorporate some virtual components for wider reach at lower costs, formats vary across purposes like:
Webinars/Webcasts
- Sales/marketing focused – Lead generation, product demos, announcements, roadmap sneak peeks.
- Thought leadership – Trend analysis, best practice workshops, case study findings.
- HR/internal culture – All-hands meetings, new hire orientations, milestones.
Virtual Trade Shows
- Expo hall booths – Video demos, live chats, downloadable resources
- Speaker sessions – Pre-recorded or live-streamed presentations
- Networking rooms – Text, audio or video chat interactions
Hybrid Events
- Small local attendee hub – In-person gathering for talks supplementing global live stream.
- Flipped model – Core content streamed with local site add-ons like hands-on workshops.
Emerging roles span coordinating full multi-day virtual conferences solo to supporting teams on large hybrid experiences blending physical gatherings with interactive online attendee engagements.
Cultivate In-Demand Digital Event Skills
While classic project management and hospitality strengths carry over from in-person events, new virtual-first abilities prove critical when coordinating online:
Technology Troubleshooting
From minor audio feedback to dropped streaming connections, be ready to rapid problem solve tech issues inevitably arising mid-event without derailing momentum.
Real-Time Adjustments
Skill to adapt presentations, adjust pacing or add engagement opportunities on the fly responding to audience energy and event flow.
Hybrid Event Bridging
Keep both physical room and virtual attendees feeling actively involved via balanced attention and seamless cross-platform interactions weaving real world and digital engagement.
Data Analytics
Monitor registration funnels, attendance, content consumption trends and feedback via dashboard to optimize as the event runs while capturing learnings to improve future iterations.
Creative Contingencies
Have backup agenda items, speakers and activities ready to pivot gracefully tackle unexpected absences, technical glitches or flagging energy lulls.
Proven experience hosting engaging virtual events removes perceived risk earning potential client trust faster as a reliable partner.
Build a Client-Facing Virtual Event Portfolio
Bring expertise to life visually by curating an online portfolio showcasing past events coordinated. Key elements to feature:
Event Format Diversity
Demonstrate range across webinars, virtual trade conference days, half day summits, multi week-long hybrids, and online fundraisers. condenses Compile 3-5 top examples spanning formats plus list additional events handled by type.
Supporting Visuals
Include polished slides from presentations, screen captures of custom branded platform interfaces, marked up run of show schedules, chat engagement metrics, post event survey results, even short video clips capturing production value like green screen capabilities.
Qualitative Impacts
Supplement numbers with pull quote testimonials from sponsors, attendees, speakers and internal stakeholder praising smooth execution, thoughtful touches, value delivered and raving they’d work with you again. These personal validations resonate.
An online portfolio lets prospective clients better envision deliverables adjusted to their needs year-round. Link to it prominently on proposals and contracting paperwork too.
Craft an Optimized Event Planning Resume
Beyond showing capabilities visually, ensure resume details underscore specialized online event planning contributions made over generic entries:
Tailor Content Specifically
Emphasize virtual and hybrid event coordination over general event planning which could imply only physical venue sourcing and decor. Call out webinars produced, virtual attendee numbers, platforms used.
Quantify Success Metrics
Include registrations generated, peak live views achieved, social media impressions garnered, post event sale leads captured, or other data quantifying the business impact of events managed directly tied to clients' goals.
Highlight Specialized Tools
List specific digital platforms mastered like Hoppin, Cvent, Intrado Digital Media, Run the World, Vairs, or proprietary systems leveraged to drive engagement and measure success.
Capture Response Details
Note tactics employed to gather attendee feedback or improvise amid challenges from polls and live Q&As to quick backup speaker swaps and agenda pivots showcasing adaptability.
Convey hands-on expertise navigating the nuances and rapid pace of multifaceted virtual/hybrid events specifically.
Prepare to Pitch Clients Virtually
As remote work increases, expect to pitch prospective corporate or nonprofit clients over video calls. Come prepared to:
Establish Credibility
Speak to robust technical knowledge, size of past online events handled solo or within teams and ability to deftly response to issues managing attendee experiences. Provide portfolio and testimonials showcasing work.
Ask Needs Discovery Questions
Inquire about overall event goals, metrics for success, platforms preferred, anticipated attendee volumes, speakers planned, etc to gauge scope before sharing ideas. Active listening proves valuable.
Propose Initial Event Vision
Integrating details learned about objectives and attendees, suggest high level agenda ideas, potential formats across days and breakouts, fresh engagement elements personalized to the organization like quick polls, leader Q&As, or networking roundtables. Deliver an initial roadmap showing thought partnership converting needs into an event vision.
Following up post call with a proposed project plan and budget solidifies ideas allowing negotiation to finalize deals.
Grow Ongoing Skills Hosting Digital Events
Landing initial clients provides invaluable hands-on learning. Be sure to:
Solicit Extensive Attendee Feedback
Analyze ratings, open text survey results, social media reactions, and chat logs to pinpoint what resonance vs what fell flat for enhancement considerations next round. Welcome brutally honest commentary.
Reflect Critically on Execution
Be self-aware assessing what coordination processes, contingency plans and decisions worked smoothly while also identifying trouble spots like difficult speakers or flaky vendors for process improvements next time.
Continue Upskilling on Emerging Event Tech
Stay knowledgeable as virtual venue platforms rapidly enhance capabilities in coming years with new bespoke sponsorship packages, gamification and metaverse integrations inevitably coming. Sign up for insider early adopter programs.
Diversify Hybrid Offerings
Once classic virtual events feel turnkey, purposefully tackle new types like virtual fundraising galas, online college fairs, or hybrid field team meetings to expand niche authority.
By focusing early years on responsive client service and flawless productions, you lay trust foundations allowing referral marketing and organic growth letting your fixed costs scale profitably over time. Patiently cultivate elite online event planning skills.