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ne of Microsoft’s biggest live conferences in 2020 was scheduled to happen in Seattle. However, the pandemic made it impossible. So the tech gorilla turned to the high society of virtual events and pretty much dodged the bullet.
Over 200,000 people had registered for the event and attendees were facilitated with hundreds of sessions covering all genres of topics. Innovation, developer empowerment, Artificial Intelligence – Microsoft Build was heaven for this world’s developers.
Furthermore, the event featured a yoga teacher teaching the audience how to avoid stress because the company never forgets the importance of community building and mindfulness. And, in a good virtual event, all the sessions are available on-demand for anyone to re-watch and learn – anytime, anywhere.
Watch: Microsoft Build 2020 through the eyes of attendees
Like Microsoft, people have successfully adapted to the digital ways of life and have started conducting their events on online platforms. But the snag that most of them face is making the virtual event memorable.
Here are some ideas to give a creative boost to your next virtual event and maximise benefits.
Table of Contents
What are Virtual Event Gifts and Why Do They Matter?
Virtual gifts are digital gift items offered to event attendees before, during, or after the event to enhance their overall event experience. They serve as a modern and convenient alternative to traditional physical gift cards. Online gifts can be anything from e-books, gift cards, and online courses to physical items such as branded merchandise, aimed at increasing attendee engagement, building brand loyalty, and generating buzz about the event.
Virtual conference gifts enhance the guest experience by adding more value beyond the actual occasion. If the gift is unique or relevant it increases the satisfaction of the attendee. Additionally, customized gifts leave a good brand impression on participants, demonstrating that the event organizer values
Cometh the gift
Giving the attendees a welcome gift to acknowledge their attendance in the event is a trend that event organisers just can’t seem to leave behind. Call them goody bags, gift bags, or swag bags; the objective is to market the event and leave a memorable first impression.
But in-person events are collapsing humbly. So is the concept of giving out gifts physically.
Mightier than the physical
With people from all industry habitats knocking on the digital door for hosting their events, virtual swag bags have conspicuously evolved from being a mere compulsive ramification of the pandemic to being one of the most vital event trends and brand marketing strategies.
The reason being the ascendancy they possess over physical gift bags, as a result of being:
- Inexpensive
- Environment-friendly
- Unique
- Creative
- Easily manageable
They provide organizers the opportunity to engage well with the attendees. Read here about Brilliant Virtual Event & Conferencing Audience Engagement Ideas
Not only should the swag bag be a promotional strategy, but it should also provide the participants with useful, meaningful, and functional items. That will help the event have a lasting imprint on people’s minds.
What’s in the bag?
These virtual party gift bags can be tactile bags or boxes with promotional items or online accounts, which the attendees can access from anywhere via their phones. They can be:
- Promotional offers
- Coupons
- Products and vouchers entitling people to a discount, like promo codes for discounted or free app services or tickets to a show.
For tactile bags, the foremost step you should take to give the best virtual party bags is to send out custom printed branded gift bags or boxes to the people’s addresses a day or two before the event. Get them customised by artists or designers, and have a high-quality gift in store for them.
Focus on the quality rather than the quantity of the gifts. A standard-looking package will get discarded as a common courier to be later opened. But a bright, colourful, and custom-made packaging will attract the necessary hype and excitement from future attendees.
Next, it is worth knowing that ornate and expensive gifts are not always a great option. You just cannot give out a very expensive smartwatch to a person who does not need one and expect them to have a positive impression about your brand.
The gifts you give out should have some meaning and be useful for the people during the event and in the long term. Do not aim for a stunning temporary visual impression, but a lasting one.
Many businesses and institutions today have come up with some marvellous virtual swag bags, like:
- BP Oil and Gas Company is one of the many firms giving their employees a fitness challenge with a free FitBit.
- Adobe presents its employees with a swag too cool not to be talked about. In its Kickbox program, the firm gives away a red box containing notebooks, writing utensils, snacks, and a prepaid credit card of $1000!
- Percolate, a marketing company, gives its new hires T-shirts, mousepads, notebooks, and pens, along with a Kindle, to resonate with the brand’s intellectual curiosity.
The Gift speaks
In a world where sophisticated technical gadgets and digital media invade all aspects of people’s lives, one of the primary concerns is a smooth and delightful event experience.
Wireless Headphones
Giving good quality Wireless Headphones to aid the event, with your custom brand logos on them, is one of the best virtual swag bag content ideas. They would neither have to worry about long and entangling wires nor any unexpected audio or connectivity issues during the online program.
Not only will they have great and comfortable virtual experience gifts, but they will also use them in the future, which will remind them of your brand whenever they pick it up.
Read the Definitive guide to choosing the right webinar tools and equipment.
Power Banks
These can be amazing virtual gift ideas too. With the help of these, the participants won’t have to be limited to their workspace. They would be provided with the flexibility of carrying their laptops or phones to a different place of their liking while not worrying about the battery unexpectedly running out.
Not only that, they are incredibly lightweight, slim, and come with a micro-USB conduit to charge itself as well as the mobile devices. And if you customise the power banks with a high-resolution imprint of your logo, the impact will have a good chance of standing the test of time in the attendees’ minds.
Free Trials
Free trials of your products and services can be great virtual conference gifts for the attendees of your event. That will give them some time to understand and make use of your firm’s services and positively affect your marketing.
Product Demo Access
You can make the session more interactive with guided real-time demo access to your services for the participants. It can be achieved by giving them a code/coupon for a trial run or by sending them workshop kits for a specific task.
The offer of getting pre-launch demo access or a product giveaway in virtual gift bags for conferences will surely attract many early participant registrations.
Branded Merchandise
You can also send branded merchandise bundles to the first 100-150 people who register. During its virtual annual tech conference, Microsoft mailed its early registrants a branded merchandise package filled with a welcome card, socks, lunch box, sticker sheets, a badge, and a lanyard.
When you do so, not only will you be convincing the people that your event bags are valuable, but you will also be encouraging early registrations.
Online Courses
If your event is educational, you can gift your audience professional online courses from Masterclass or Udemy. Popular marketplaces like these offer courses in a wide variety of fields, from sales, business, and programming to cooking, writing, designing, and photography.
Video Streaming Service
In times when people are forced to retreat indoors due to the pandemic, video streaming services are a prominent trend. Platforms like Netflix, Disney +, and Amazon Prime are logical and the most sought-after entertainment choices in the contemporary situation.
Giving your audience a month or two (if your budget allows) of free subscription to these streaming services is one of the best creative digital gifts, and they are guaranteed to cherish it.
Ecommerce Retail Gift Cards
Who shops at Amazon these days? Almost everyone! And that makes giving out Amazon gift cards an excellent gift option.
Food Gift Vouchers
The audience is also bound to appreciate vouchers for well-liked restaurants and food ordering services like Uber Eats, Swiggy, Foodpanda, Zomato, etc.
Virtual Gym Memberships
People today immensely acknowledge virtual Gym Memberships and discounted subscriptions to some great on-demand Fitness Streaming platforms like Fiit, Plankk, Beachbody on Demand, etc.
Private Online Classes
Access to private virtual lessons makes for a great digital gift, and the one-on-one sessions with the best teachers ensure that your attendees get the best, personalised training possible.
Follow-up
Do not let the event experience fade out and become outdated the moment it gets finished. Make sure to have some great virtual event swag ideas planned for when the participants log out. You can use the attendees’ data to reach out to them in the future.
⮚ The follow-up gift can be a bonus in impressing the audience. It can be as simple as an e-card acknowledging participation.
⮚ In addition to that, you can give them exclusive discount codes and/or free tickets for future events.
⮚ Sending personalised video messages and shout-outs from celebrities to the attendees after the event can also be a marvellous way of thanking them for investing their precious time in attending your event.
⮚ In-depth eBooks, brochures, and product guides/manuals can prove very helpful to the attendees. So that along with the demo access or a giveaway they get, they can acquaint themselves with the features and facilities that your product/brand provides.
Remember, rather than making your virtual event a one-time affair, give a memorable finishing touch to your events with these follow-up gifts. They have an immense potential to re-engage the audience, boost their excitement and generate a long-term association with them.
How Beneficial Are Virtual Event Gifts?
Virtual event gifts are highly beneficial and have a significant impact on attendees. In fact, they are a fantastic way to express your gratitude to your guests. In the age of virtual gatherings, the demand for digital presents has increased. Here’s an overview of the benefits digital gifting provides:
- Enhanced Attendee Engagement: Virtual gifts play a major role in increasing attendee engagement and participation in the program. They can create a sense of excitement among attendees, leading to higher interaction and participation in online events.
Receiving a gift can make attendees feel more valued, increasing their willingness to participate in conversation, Q&A sessions, and networking activities. When you provide event-specific gifts like snack packs for lunch sessions or branded notebooks for workshops, you enhance the attendee experience and engagement that extends beyond the event itself.
- Increased Attendee Satisfaction: Online gifts contribute to a more positive and memorable event experience for attendees. Attendees feel appreciated when they receive meaningful presents, such as digital cards, resulting in increased satisfaction.
For example, during a virtual conference, offering virtual gift cards to those who actively participate in Q&A sessions or complete surveys not only encourages participation but also makes them feel valued, resulting in higher levels of satisfaction.
- Increased Retention for Future Events: A memorable virtual gift can truly make the event experience stand out. By offering personalized and meaningful gifts, you can not only build a relationship with attendees but also encourage them to return for future events. In addition, people will become loyal to your brand and recommend your event to others.
- Improved Event ROI: Online event gifts significantly boost the event’s return on investment (ROI) by increasing attendee satisfaction, engagement, and interactions. When guests receive digital gifts of gratitude and love, it fosters a deeper emotional connection to the event and its brand. Additionally, virtual goodies encourage word-of-mouth marketing that expands the event’s reach and attracts more attendees in the future.
- Data-Driven Insights: Virtual gifts can be used to gather valuable data about attendees’ interests, preferences, and behaviors. You could track who redeemed the digital prizes and who did not. Gathering valuable insights will enable you to optimize future event strategies and personalize the attendee experience.
Expert Tips On Choosing Digital Gifts For Virtual Events
Offering virtual gifts to attendees at virtual events is a great way to boost engagement. It will truly add a special touch and create an unforgettable virtual event experience for everyone.
Digital gifting has become a popular trend to personalize and enhance virtual events. According to this study, The global Digital Gift Cards market was valued at USD 328.26 Billion in 2022 and growing at a CAGR of 15.21% from 2023 to 2032. The market is expected to reach USD 1,352.45 Billion by 2032.
Choosing the right remote gift card for your guests requires careful planning and preparation. A thoughtful and personalized gift can definitely make a lasting impression on participants.
Here are some expert recommendations on how to choose the right gift for the target audience:
- Understand Your Audience: If you want to choose the right digital gift for your occasion, you need to know the target audience first. According to this data, a whopping 82% of marketers say having high-quality data on their target audience is important to succeed in their role.
Know the demographics of your target audience – that is, their age, gender, location, interests, etc. Knowing your target audience not only helps you choose attractive virtual event gifts for them but also helps you tailor the entire event experience to their preferences.
For example, if you’re hosting a webinar on “professional development” for new entrepreneurs, it’s definitely worth offering digital gifts like online course vouchers or e-books.
Another example is offering regional e-gift cards—such as Amazon gift cards. This is a perfect option if your participants are spread throughout multiple regions. - Know Audience Needs: Once you understand the target market, identify their needs. Hold a pre-event survey to know their area of interest. By understanding your attendees’ needs and preferences, you can allow them to choose the best gift and make their digital gifting experience memorable. Remember if virtual event gifts align with audience needs and interests, you will succeed in creating a more personalized and memorable event experience for them.
- Set Your Budget: Determine your digital gift budget in order to maximize return on investment, control expenses, and avoid overspending. When you choose gifts according to your budget, you are able to discover a gift that meets your financial constraints. A well-planned budget will let you give thoughtful presents to your remote audience.
- Personalize the Experience: According to this stat, 90% of leading marketers say personalization significantly contributes to business profitability. When sending a gift, personalize it with the attendee’s name and a tailored message. Doing this will make the gift even more special and show that you value their participation. Personalized gift cards will encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media, leading to increased brand awareness.
- Offer an Event-themed Gift: Choose a gift that fits with the event’s theme, be it a tech conference, corporate event, or any other gathering. Offering event-theme-related gifts can reinforce branding and keep your event top-of-mind for attendees. For example, if your event is about wellness, consider offering yoga class subscriptions or healthy meal delivery vouchers.
What Virtual Gift Would Be Best to Offer to Guests Before, During, and After the Event?
The key to a memorable virtual event is to offer a great online gift to event attendees. It can be distributed to guests at any point before, during, or after the event. Let’s explore some creative and impactful virtual gift ideas to elevate your online gathering.
Before the Event
- Online Gift Cards: Sending online gift cards ahead of time can be a great idea to make event guests interested in attending the event. Participants will remember your event and be more likely to come back in the future if you express love to them in this way. You can consider offering discounts on event-branded merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, or bags.
- Ebooks: One great virtual gift to send attendees before the event can be an ebook. It can help attendees familiarize themselves with the event topic. Offering pre-event giveaways such as an eBook will enable you to make a positive impression on your event attendees.
Let’s say you are hosting a tech conference, you can give away an ebook titled “Top 10 Tech Trends to Watch in 2024” as a pre-event gift.
During the Event
- Streaming Subscriptions: A modern and convenient way to reward and engage your audience is to offer subscriptions to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or Spotify. By providing endless entertainment options, you increase attendee satisfaction and positive association with your brand, as well as their likelihood of becoming loyal customers.
- Online Training Access: Gifting guests online training access is really a superb idea that will enhance their learning experience and build long-term engagement with your brand. It can be a win-win for both you and your program participants. You will generate quality leads and build your brand’s reputation as a thought leader. And attendees will gain valuable knowledge and skills that will grow them professionally.
For example, if your event is about digital marketing, you could offer a course on social media advertising or SEO. This will give attendees an opportunity to learn new skills and stay updated on the latest trends in the industry.
After the Event
- Online Fitness Memberships: Offer event attendees an online gym membership to help them meet their fitness goals. Assume you host a wellness conference. On such occasions, you might offer participants a free month’s membership to online yoga or fitness classes, encouraging them to live a healthy lifestyle and staying connected with them in the long run.
Conclusion
Adapting to the digital world used to be intimidating and beyond our imagination. But it has now thrust itself into our lives. With people organising events virtually and using promotional merchandise to incorporate their brand strategies, it is vital that the audience resonates with it too.
A virtual gift box is not only a welcoming gift but also a part of the user experience. The aim is to bridge the gap between physical and virtual event experiences and not let the computer screen be a limitation to a fulfilled interaction.
FAQs
It is an online gift bag that companies or event hosts send to their registrants to ensure engagement, participation and personalised touch point with event attendees.
Customised gifts, useful coupons and branded merchandise are a great way to leave a long lasting impression on event attendees and make your event successful.
Meaningful gifts that outlast the event like gift cards, online memberships, free trials and free product demos are some of the best online gifts.
Making your event memorable and value-driven is the best way to make your event distinguished. Sending out pre-event or follow-up swag bags are proven ways to leave an impression on your attendees.
Gift cards, discount offers, branded merchandise, virtual courses, gym memberships, discounted tickets to future events are some cool virtual gift bags ideas.
