Why use this method?
The benefits of running online events include:
- Enabling you to reach a larger number of participants than other methods.
- Gathering instant information on what participants think about an issue.
- Recruiting/ inviting participants who fit different (demographic) profiles to get a more representative view.
- Being less resource intensive than face to face events.
- Enabling a flexible range of formats – themed and unthemed breakout rooms, polls, Q&A sessions and enabling participant to contribute directly through shared workspaces.
- May offer more flexibility on the day and time the event can happen.
- Enable you to more efficiently co-lead sessions with external partners
- Opportunity for recording and not taking to ensure valuable insight isn’t lost
But, there are some considerations:
- Not everyone will feel comfortable attending and participating in online events, so they need to be used in combination with other methods.
- Although online events can include a significant number of participants, it may be more challenging for everyone to feel they have had their say. Having a strong facilitator is essential.
- Events in general can produce a lot of information that needs to be reviewed and analysed (feedback from breakout rooms discussions, participant demographic information, questions raised and chat dialogue (if using this), which can become resource intensive.
- There are different platforms that can host online events e.g. Teams or Zoom. You will need to consider the best platform for the community you are speaking to. You will also need to think about whether you want people to be able to use the chat function e.g. a normal Microsoft Teams meeting or whether you would like to run it as a live event, where people are only able to ask questions in the chat.
- An online event may introduce barriers for some community members, e.g. they may not have access to a computer or they do not know how to use the technology or the platform. You will need to ensure everyone is supported to access the event, providing alternative ways to access and dial in details where possible