Hosting a Virtual Happy Hour: A Step-By-Step Guide
Getting the team together for a virtual happy hour is a great way to stay connected and boost morale, especially during these challenging times. But if you’ve never hosted one before, it can be a bit daunting. In fact, even if you have hosted a virtual happy hour before, it can be helpful to have a step-by-step guide to ensure everything goes smoothly.
A successful virtual happy hour creates a fun and relaxed environment where everyone can socialize and unwind. You can add virtual happy hour games and activities to keep things lively or rely on good conversation. And of course, don’t forget the most important ingredient: drinks.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to hosting a virtual happy hour that your team will love:
1. Pick Your Guest List
The first step is to decide who you want to invite to your virtual happy hour. You can keep it small and intimate by inviting just a few close colleagues or opening it up to everyone in the company. If you have remote employees, include them in fun. Knowing your audience when sending out invitations is important to set the event’s tone. A lot of people might be working from home with kids, so a rowdy happy hour might not be the best idea.
2. Choose the Right Platform
There are a lot of great platforms out there for hosting virtual events, but not all of them are created equal. When it comes to virtual happy hours, you want to choose an easy-to-use platform with all the features you need. Zoom is a great option because it offers HD video and audio quality, screen sharing, and breakout rooms for smaller group conversations.
3. Set the Tone with the Right Music
One of the best ways to set the tone for your virtual happy hour is to choose the right music. You can create a playlist on Spotify or Pandora or find a DJ to mix some tunes for you. The right music will help your guests relax and get into the party mood.
4. Delegate a Host
If you want your virtual happy hour to be a success, it’s important to delegate a host. This person will be responsible for keeping the conversation flowing and ensuring everyone is having a good time. They can also help with any technical issues that might come up.
5. Make It a Theme Party
Theme parties are always more fun, so why not make your virtual happy hour a themed event? You can have a Hawaiian-themed party with tropical drinks and snacks or a murder mystery party where everyone has to solve a crime. Get creative and let your guests know what to expect when they log in.
A virtual happy hour is an excellent opportunity to connect with your team and have some fun. Driving participants to your event with the right platform, setting the tone with music, designating a host, and making it a themed party are all great ways to ensure everyone has a good time. So go ahead and start planning your virtual happy hour today.
