Virtual Event Best Practices

Thinking about organizing a virtual event? Using Sched for virtual events is easy! We organized some of the best reasons we feel organizing a virtual event is beneficial. How to Run a Virtual Event On Sched you're able to display and manage your virtual event schedule and provide access to your live or on-demand digital/video content. You can use Sched in conjunction with your preferred digital content platform such as Zoom, YouTube, WebEx, Google Meet, and more. After your events are finished, you can even continue to use your Sched site to provide on-demand access to recordings for all or a selection of your sessions. Your Sched site will stay live indefinitely.

Digital Content

​You can allow your attendees to access your digital content like pre-recorded videos, live meetings, webinars, or live streams on Sched. Simply add a link to the video stream field by following the steps here: Edit Video Stream Field This will display as an embed and/or a button within each of your sessions. Embedded video: v1

Button: v2 Alternatively, you can add links to your digital content within the session description itself. Or add files directly to your session for your community to access or download. v3 v4


Time Zones

For virtual and remote events, it can be helpful to allow attendees to select their preferred timezone. Enable this new feature so attendees can select the timezone they'd like to view your schedule in. Please note, all automated email reminders will still be sent based on the timezone specified in your event settings.

  1. Go to Settings => General.
  2. In the "Content" section, toggle on "Allow attendees to choose their timezone."
  3. Scroll down and click "Save."

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Once this feature is enabled, attendees will select their timezone from a menu on the schedule page. v6


Video Stream

Display Zoom, YouTube, Twitch, or Vimeo streams in the session details. Attendees can view sessions without navigating away from Sched. Add the direct link in the video stream field. Depending on the video stream settings, browser, or if you're using another service (i.e. Hangouts Meet), the field may populate with a button linked to the stream. v7

  1. Add or edit the session you'd like to add a video stream.
  2. Paste the URL of the video or stream in the "Video Stream" field. (Zoom, YouTube, Twitch, or Vimeo)
  3. Publish or save as a draft.

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Show Uploaded Files and Videos to Logged-in Attendees Only

Sched includes unlimited file hosting to add files to sessions. To make the links to these files or added video streams visible to logged-in users only, go to Settings => Content. Note, if a logged-in user copies the direct link (https://yourevent.sched.com/file.zip) to the file, the link is visible to anyone. v9 Reveal video streams 10 minutes before the session begins

You can prevent access to your event's video content based on time.

To enable, go to Settings => Content. v10 

Make video streams accessible to session attendees only

For Reserve and Native customers, you have even more control over access to your event's video stream content. Use this setting to restrict video stream access to session attendees only.

Go to Settings => Attendance.

This feature is best used in conjunction with Eventbrite Ticket Rules if you would like to limit who can register for each session. v11


Sponsors NEST THE EXISTING SPONSOR ARTICLE IN THIS GUIDE AFTER SPONSOR PROFILE VIDEO IS ADDED

Creating Community During these times of isolation, it’s great to be able to still come together and work on our professional selves. You can use Sched to link to other platforms to help eventgoers connect and communicate. NCTIES 2020 did an excellent job providing information and link to attendees via their event header and custom page. v12

Some great platforms for communication:

We have a full write-up and deep dive into recommended platforms for streaming, social media, and more. The Best Virtual Conference Platforms