It's All Virtual

Some of us learn through observation – and I’ve had the privilege of observing (and learning from) many corporations in their use of virtual events and virtual worlds. First, I will provide “newbie” corporations with some pointers on how to best leverage virtual events (by way of links to some past blog posts).  Then, I will summarize some recent examples of virtual events (and virtual worlds) by corporations – all of which I admired.

How to Leverage Virtual Events

1. Get closer to your customers – by understanding customers’ current challenges (which may differ from the challenges they faced when they originally purchased your product), you can create solutions, make your customers more satisfied and generate additional revenue (https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/get-closer-to-your-customer-with-virtual-tradeshows/)
2. Launch your next product – whether you complement your physical launch – or, do it exclusively online, the virtual event platform allows you to conveniently launch your next product online to a global audience – and, track all the interactions generated with customers, sales prospects and analysts/press (https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/launch-your-next-product-online/)

Virtual Events: How Corporations Are Leveraging Them

1. Quest Software produces an annual virtual event titled Quest Connect to provide information on their products and services (https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/marketers-as-event-organizers/)
2. Lenovo utilized Nortel’s 3D-based web.alive platform to drive interest and product sales of its laptops during (and after) CES 2009 (https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/review-lenovos-elounge-virtual-world/)
3. Adobe held a virtual product launch in Second Life to complement their real-world launch of eLearning Suite (https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/adobes-real-world-launch-is-suppplemented-with-virtual-launch/)
4. Trend Micro teamed with Virtualis to host an internal training event titled Trend Technical University in Second Life (https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/virtualis-and-trend-micro-put-on-quite-a-show/)
5. VMware launched an online companion to their physical VMworld conference, running on Jive Software’s platform (https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/vmworld-complements-physical-conference-with-virtual-conference/)

So if you’re a newbie on virtual events, read up on what these companies have done – and decide whether (and how) virtual events and virtual worlds can benefit your company.  Better yet, if you have ideas on new ways corporations can leverage virtual events, be sure to leave a comment below.  Either way, I’m excited to see and hear about the new things that are in store.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 9:30 PM and is filed under Virtual Tradeshows (VTS). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.