We’ve wrapped up the 10 Days to Producing a Better Virtual Event series. Here’s a summary of what was covered over the past 10 days.

• 10 Days to Produce a Better Virtual Event, Intro
• Day 1 – Benefits of Hosting a Virtual Event
• Day 2 – Planning Your Virtual Event
• Day 3 – Virtual Event Delivery Options
• Day 4 – Marketing Your Virtual Event
• Day 5 – Managing Virtual Event Speakers, Exhibitors & Sponsors
• Day 6 – Monetizing Your Virtual Event
• Day 7 – Measuring Your Virtual Event
• Day 8 – Engaging Your Virtual Event Audience
• Day 9 – Virtual Event Associations & Communities
• Day 10 – Other Virtual Event Issues

Produce a Better Virtual Event Activity Book
Want to download the free PDF that contains the homework from all 10 days in this series? If so, just enter your first name and email address below and you’ll get an email with details on how to do so.

There are many issues with hosting virtual events. The links below provide additional viewpoints on why you should and should not produce a virtual event. These posts will help you understand the many other issues that can come up with hosting virtual events.

• Brent Arslander and Spencer Jarrett on Virtual Meetings Will Erase Face to Face
• Michael Doyle on Could the Virtual Event and Meeting Industry be Half the Size of the Soft Drink Industry in a Few Years?
• Eugene “Az” Loj on Virtual Events vs Live Events
• Ramesh Sambasivan on 7 Must Have Skills for Virtual Event Managers
• Aliza Sherman on Running an Virtual Event in Second Life

Homework: Develop a list of advantages and disadvantages to hosting your own virtual event. For all the disadvantages, write down the benefits.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

Connecting with other like-minded individuals will keep you accountable to completing the tasks necessary to host your virtual event. There are many online associations you can join for free or for a fee to help you on your virtual event journey.

• Association of Virtual Event Managers, Organizers & Hosts
• Association of Virtual Worlds on LinkedIn
• Virtual Edge
• Virtual Event Strategists on Facebook
• Virtual Worlds on LinkedIn

Homework: Decide on which associations or communities you can join to further your knowledge of hosting virtual events.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

The way you’d engage attendees at offline events, such as conferences, workshops and tradeshows, isn’t the same for virtual events. The tips in the links below will give you an idea how you can keep attendees at your virtual event interested in each session that you provide.

• Leesa Barnes on How Do You Engage Attendees During Your Virtual Event?
• John Failla on What’s the right length for virtual event conference sessions?
• Alli Gerkman on Are Attendees and Individuals Redefining the “Virtual Event” As We Know It?
• Ramesh Sambasivan on What Is the Ideal Duration for a Virtual Fair
• Kari Dunn Saratovsky on Pros & Cons of Virtual Events

Homework: Identify the tools that will help you engage attendees during your virtual event.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

The way to determine if your virtual event is successful is to use tools that will help you measure what you’re doing. Understanding your return on your virtual event investment (ROVEI) is critical so you can decide whether to do it again. Here are some resources you can use to measure your virtual event success.

• Brent Arslaner on Use Virtual Events to Deliver More Value and Virtual Events Deliver an Excellent Buzz—And Results
• Leesa Barnes on How to Measure Your Virtual Event ROI
• Heidi Cohen on Seven Virtual World Marketing Tactics and Metrics to Follow
• How to Measure Your Virtual Event ROI

Homework: Find the tools that will help you measure the return on your virtual event investment.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

There are many ways that you can make money from your virtual events.

• Leesa Barnes on 5 Ways to Profit from Virtual Events Beyond Charging for Admission

Homework: Write down the 1, 2 or 3 ways you can make money with your virtual events.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

Speakers, exhibitors and sponsors are the backbone of your virtual event. Understanding how to schedule speakers and give value to your exhibitors and sponsors will help you succeed or fail with your virtual event. Check out the resources below to understand how you can manage these 3 groups when hosting a virtual event.

• Miguel Arias on How to Get the Best Out of a Virtual Event
• Maria Pergolino on Better Virtual Trade Show Sponsorship – Negotiating your participation (Part 2)
• Virtual Event Speaker Session Tips

Homework: Put together your criteria for speakers, exhibitors and sponsors for your virtual event or virtual show.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

In order to fill your virtual event, you need to promote it. Below are some resources you can use to fill your virtual event and market it using both traditional and non-traditional tools.

• Leesa Barnes on 5 Ways to Market Your Virtual Event So It Sells Out and How to Use Twitter Hashtags to Fill Your Virtual Event
• Gina Bell on 8 Ways Virtual Events Quickly Boost Your Biz
• Online Event Marketing Tips
• Heidi Cohen on Seven Virtual World Marketing Tactics and Metrics to Follow and Seven Ways to Market in a Virtual World, Part 1
• Lorilynn Smith on Marketing Your Virtual Event

Homework: Put together a promotional campaign for your virtual event to help you fill seats using the tips in the resources above.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

Once you know the benefits and have put your plans in plans, it’s now time to choose the platform you’ll use to host your virtual event. You can choose to lease a virtual event platform or you can rent a conference bridge line for less than $100 per month. Use the links below to decide with technology will fit your virtual event needs.

• Brent Arslaner on Virtual Event Technology
• Leesa Barnes on Why Using the Phone or Webinar Are Perfect for Hosting Virtual Events
• Heidi Richards Mooney on Instant Teleseminar
• Julius Solaris on 10 Useful and Free Mac Applications to Run Events
• Virtual World News on A Look at 30 Virtual Worlds Platform Providers

Homework: Decide on the virtual event platform you’ll use to host your virtual event.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

To be successful at producing a virtual event, you need to put some plans in place. A plan helps to direct where you’re going and how you’ll get there. The resources below give you a great overview on how to plan your virtual event for optimal success.

• Cece Salomon-Lee on Planning a Successful Virtual Event and Going Virtual Isn’t Necessarily the Answer to Replacing Your Physical Events
• John Failla on Producing Your First Virtual Event and Succeed In Your First Virtual Event

Homework: Write down your goals and objectives for your virtual event.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.