As the leader of a virtual company, you are probably always looking for innovative and new ways to engage with your employees. It is not simply keeping a remote team engaged. However, it is vital to try since engagement is essential to an enjoyable and thriving workplace for workers. In this article, we’ve compiled 20 best tips for a virtual happy hour with your employees.
Virtual happy hours are the social events held over video conferencing platforms like Google Meet, Webex, and Zoom. Some of the ways to make this event more entertaining and engaging are here.
20 Best Tips for a Virtual Happy Hour:
1. Pick a time that works for everyone
If you are planning a happy hour on a busy day with your virtual team, it is important to make them feel overwhelmed. They must not be stressed due to the activities. To make them active and overwhelmed, it is good to choose an appropriate time. The weekend can be the best choice for these events. For better results, it is good to send out a poll to your team to see what date they think can be suitable for them.
2. Reflect icebreakers
In your virtual meeting, there may be a new member of the team. It is important to make the newcomer comfortable at the happy hour. The best thing that you can do is to make them feel at ease. You need to plan some icebreaker jokes to begin the happy hour on the right track.
3. Make a schedule
Making a schedule is highly important. However, for some people, it can be silly, but it helps things run smoothly. You do not need to share your agenda with the members. You will need to consider when you introduce icebreakers, breakout sessions, games, and others.
4. Combine virtual trivia with the event
With virtual cocktails, what goes well? The only thing that boosts your event’s engagement is virtual trivia. All your team members can plan three rounds of trivia. It lets them engage with their coworkers on the whole.
5. Do not expand it
No one wants to work all the time, and it can create boredom. If you plan this event, then consider that it must not be very lengthy. For the happy hour, 60 minutes are enough.
6. Consider breakout rooms
If you have a large team, keeping everyone happy and engaged on Zoom can be difficult. Breakout rooms can be the best tool to get everyone connected. It helps them meet new members, and they will have a good time.
7. Have fun by sending them something
Whether you are planning a happy hour for celebrations or fun, you can send those craft beers or bottles of wine. It boosts their morale to participate in the event.
8. Pick a theme
Whether it is a crazy hat party or a holiday, do not be shy about planning a theme. Your event will be incomplete without a theme. It helps keep spirits high and excited.
9. Do not forget the snacks
Your team members need a bag of treats this time. They will enjoy this experience, and it will make your event successful.
10. Make intimate and smaller groups
It is good to create connections with your colleagues. You can make their small groups so that it will motivate them to be more active.
11. Plan a quiz
Do not be silent during your happy hour. The best method to prevent silence is to make a list of engaging questions.
12. Make it more exciting
If it is a slow time at work, choose the right time in the week. Monday can be the best option. It motivates them to be more active in the event. For this purpose, you need to make it more interesting for them.
13. Turn your meeting into a happy time
Your virtual meeting must be great with engaging activities and questions. You need to plan some questions of activities that can get their attraction.
14. Use your existing sources in an appropriate way
It is an important step in the entire procedure that beginners do not use their existing resources. They do not take full advantage of their mailing list. To promote your happy hour, the ability to develop engagement will be a helpful solution.
15. Choose the right promotion channels
Selecting the right promotion channels can help you create an effective message and attract potential viewers.
16. Define your listeners before planning a happy hour
A host must have a clear understanding of who he is delivering his content. It isn’t very pleasant to invest a lot of effort and time into preparing a webinar. For the host, it is important to identify the specific listeners you are targeting.
17. Invite more and more people
Inviting more people to your event is common, but it is not a good idea. Thousands of people may attend your people, but it is not good for you that people do not admire your effort or they do not remember a single word. So, it would help if you had a clear answer in your mind when you are going to invite your audience.
18. Plan an agenda
For you, it depends on your meeting plan. It is important to announce adequately instead of writing it properly on a schedule. Keep in mind that without a transparent plan, you will get rid of potential viewers.
19. Arrange appropriate gear
Nothing can destroy the effect of the most interesting meeting but a low-quality webcam and poor internet connection. Investing in a standalone microphone is a good idea because it makes sure that all your listeners can hear your voice.
20. Your audience needs your attention
Make sure that your happy hour can align with the objectives and goals of the audience. Your event offers various ways for the audience to interact with content. Your audience can actively participate in the meeting and make sure you have complete information about their comments. You should measure their engagement by using emoticons and polls. In this way, you will come to the audience like the majority in your meetings.
Conclusion
So, these were 20 best tips for a virtual happy hour. The objective of these events is to build relationships and have fun with attendees. Other than these, there are several ideas to have fun at these events, such as themes, activities, and games that you can utilize to boost engagement further.