Building community through virtual and hybrid events

How can communities and virtual events create meaningful engagement in the post-pandemic world? Baris, founder of Precision Communities, joins Lee and Adam Parry to discuss the role of virtual and hybrid events today. Baris founded Precision Communities during the pandemic to address the need for virtual engagement in communities that lacked traditional in-person spaces. With…
Lee Matthew Jackson

Lee Matthew Jackson

November 18, 2024

How can communities and virtual events create meaningful engagement in the post-pandemic world? Baris, founder of Precision Communities, joins Lee and Adam Parry to discuss the role of virtual and hybrid events today.

Baris founded Precision Communities during the pandemic to address the need for virtual engagement in communities that lacked traditional in-person spaces. With years of experience in digital marketing and event strategy, Baris saw an opportunity to partner with community managers to build virtual events, digital assets, and media publishing solutions that fit the needs of online communities.

Baris, Lee, and Adam discuss the evolution of virtual events, the changing dynamics of in-person versus online interactions, the value of niche communities, and how traditional event organizers can leverage online communities to foster in-person engagement. Baris does highlight that while face-to-face interactions are invaluable, virtual events offer expanded opportunities to reach global audiences and provide flexibility that wasn’t as widely accepted before the pandemic.

If you’re curious about the future of virtual and hybrid events, or if you’re exploring how to build a thriving community, this episode is a useful resource.

Video

We recorded this podcast with video as well! You can watch the conversation with Baris on YouTube.

Key Takeaways

Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation with Baris:

  • Communities exist without your event: Real communities will thrive even without your event—they gather online independently. This is a key indicator of a true community rather than an audience that only connects during event times.
  • Niche focus brings value: The richest opportunities lie in identifying and focusing on niche audiences. Whether building a community or an event, targeting smaller, specific groups fosters stronger engagement and growth.
  • Virtual events are here to stay: While in-person gatherings are irreplaceable, virtual events have become a vital tool for connecting widely dispersed audiences and providing ongoing value.
  • Communities lead, events follow: Building an event on the foundation of an existing community is often more effective than trying to create a community around an event. Join existing groups and see how you can add value before planning an event.
  • The role of hybrid events: For many audiences, hybrid solutions—mixing in-person interactions with virtual access—allow more people to engage and help overcome barriers like travel costs or scheduling conflicts.

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Event Engine Podcast Artwork

Speakers

An image of our guest Baris Onay

Baris Onay

Precision Communities
Lee Matthew Jackson

Lee Matthew Jackson

Event Engine