While you might be tired of participating in virtual parties, it looks like they’re here to stay – at least, for a little while. While we all hope we can get back to regular in-person gatherings soon, virtual parties are decent options in the meantime. They’re also really convenient. The fact that you don’t have to spend time driving isn’t a bad thing. And the ability to invite your long-distance friends is also a huge plus! 

If you have a great idea for a virtual celebration and you’re wondering what’s next, here’s a list of tips and tricks to help you make it happen:

Pick a platform to host your virtual party.

When you’re hosting a party in person, the destination is fairly easy to figure out. For a virtual party, you’ll need to pick a video conferencing software that’s a good fit for your event.

Zoom

Zoom is one of the most popular options and with good reason too. It’s free to use and you can host meetings of up to 100 people. The only catch is you can’t have a meeting for longer than 40 minutes using the free version, but once that 40 minutes is over, you can start another meeting right away. 

Microsoft Teams

This video conferencing software has had some upgrades over the past year and runs quite smoothly. The free version is also robust and has most of the features you could want for a 60-minute virtual party.

Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts is another great free option. It does have a time limit of 60-minutes for the free version.

Have a Plan + Be Prepared to Lead

In-person parties don’t always have an itinerary – and that’s usually just fine. If people are mingling and having one-on-one conversations with different people, that’s usually a sign that you’ve planned your party well. This kind of thing is more challenging to replicate online. It’s a good idea to have a plan to send out to your guest list in advance. Whether you’re going to all watch a film or make a cocktail together, it’s important that everyone is on the same page so the virtual party runs smoothly. 

You should also expect to lead the conversation. It’s generally much easier for lulls in the conversation to occur while you’re online. You don’t need to guide every part of the discussion. Just be prepared to jump in with a new topic or question if the chat starts to slow down.

Provide a Plan for the Food

While you don’t necessarily have to provide the food and drinks for a virtual party, coming up with a plan for it is an extra touch that makes sure your guests know you’re thinking of them. If your guests are located near you, you can prepare some food and deliver it to them. You can also share recipes with the invitation or pick one restaurant you’ll all order from. Either way, you’ll be able to curate one thing you and your guests can enjoy together even while you’re all physically apart.

Be mindful of those who aren’t tech-savvy.

You might be used to Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings because of work, or you just are comfortable with technology in the first place. Just make sure you remember that not everyone has the same skill level with it. It’s not a bad idea to write out clear directions to include with the virtual party invitation. You can also include a video tutorial that newbies can watch. 

Do you prefer Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or another platform we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re ready to start planning your next event, head over to thesocialsetters.com/startplanning to get started with one of our Social Setters! #makeitepic #getset #makingplansmadesimple