In an attempt to establish norms for virtual events, I’ve created a list of questions to help you think through expectations you may want to set before, during, and after an event.
Before the event:
Will invites/tickets be limited?
Can invites be forwarded?
Are RSVPs expected?
Are serendipitous drop-ins ok?
Will the event start on time or will you wait until a critical mass of participants sign on?
During the event:
Should participants set their backgrounds to something in particular? (aside: are backgrounds like a new ‘dress code’ for virtual events?)
If someone joins late, should they enter silently or say hello to the group?
Should mics be on mute unless you’re speaking?
Will the event be live/ interactive/ recorded for viewing after the event?
Will there be breaks between sessions?
Are there guidelines for interaction? Eg. Should participants raise their hands if they have questions and is there a moderator who will call on people? Should questions for the speakers be sent via text/chat? Are interruptions for questions ok, or is there time allotted for Q&A after the presentation/session?
If questions are sent over chat or text, do speakers have to answer every question or can they choose the questions they want to answer? Will questions be taken in the order they’re received? Or, is there an audience upvoting process for questions?
Is the event off the record?
What happens if someone violates the guidelines? Should they be kicked out? Warned?
What if someone shares inappropriate content?
After the event:
Can participants share screenshots of content from the event?
Can you publish screenshots of event participants on Zoom? (the norm here seems to be that this is ok but I’ve seen some really unflattering photos of myself on Zoom screenshots)
Is it ok to contact participants for feedback after the event?