How important is planning virtual happy hours compared to planning in-person happy hours?
Whether you're planning your happy hour to be in-person or virtual, you get out of it what you put into it.
Imagine a party with poor lighting and no music, drinks, or games – just 20 chairs in a circle facing one another. It would feel more like an intervention than a happy hour.
The same is true with virtual happy hours. Many virtual happy hours feel like that; no ambiance, no planning, just a small crowd making small talk while making WAY too much eye contact.
Why do most virtual happy hours fail? Because of poor planning! Your participants then leave the party with virtual happy hour PTSD and won't want to join again.
The key to a fun virtual happy hour is to plan it with the same mentality that you would plan an in-person happy hour.
If you are unfamiliar with what Zoom has to offer, try taking a YouTube crash course on Zoom features and test them before you put on your virtual happy hour.
Pricing – The free basic plan will probably have everything you need BUT your meeting will end in 40 minutes! You'll need to restart or upgrade your account.
Gallery View – Shows everyone on the screen at once, making your meeting feel less formal and more relaxed.
Breakout rooms – Allow you to split up into smaller groups for special activities or intimate conversations.
Screen Share – Great for sharing photos and videos, or playing games together.
Virtual background – Really shines when your virtual happy hour has a theme.
Date and Time – Choose a time that works best for everyone. Put yourself in the participant's shoes.
Consider the Duration – Keep in mind that virtual happy hours can be more taxing than in-person gatherings.
Advertise the Details – Let people know well in advance all the necessary information.
Share Log-In Info – Send out the Zoom link, meeting ID, and passwords well in advance.
Mimic the real-life experience by creating a colorful and fun atmosphere.
Choose a Theme – Popular ideas include Hawaiian Luau, Roaring Twenties, 80s, Cocktail Party, Beach Holiday, or Black Tie Soiree.
Music and Playlist – Encourage attendees to set the mood with background music.
Food and Drinks – Encourage participants to prepare their favorite happy hour snacks and drinks.
Virtual happy hours are usually more fun and have less awkward silences when there are some activities planned.
Some of the best virtual happy hour activities:
As the host, you are responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly.
Keep It Small – Too many people can make it difficult to manage.
Start on Time – Shows that you respect your attendees' time.
Don't Drag It Out – Prevent people from feeling "Zoom fatigue".
Stay on Audio Control – Encourage all attendees to mute when not speaking.
The right mentality is key to a successful virtual happy hour. You HAVE to plan your virtual happy hour with the same mindset that you would an in-person happy hour.
Common sense tells us that the more effort you put in, the better results you will get.
Are you struggling to make other aspects of your virtual and hybrid meetings enjoyable? Our team has worked hard for years to understand how to make virtual and hybrid events TRULY exciting. Shoot us a message and we'll quickly give you an effective solution you can implement today.