6 Tips for Hosting a Successful Online Press Conference.

AuthorBullock, Mick

Let's face it, everything is different these days: how legislatures are meeting, where they are meeting, how you interact with constituents and how you host a press conference. Hosting press events is extremely important in your role as a state legislator, and online press conferences are not going away anytime soon. Fact is, because online events can actually have higher turnouts than in-person events due to travel restrictions, they may continue to be a common option in our post-pandemic world.

These six tips can help you create engaging, professional-looking press events for the online world.

Get Organized in Advance

Think about the key takeaway of your event. Does it need to be interactive or is it just to inform? Your answer can impact the platform.

Be mindful of length. A 30- to 45-minute window is ideal and preferred for most reporters, especially if your press conference is early in the week, when many are filing on deadline. Try to avoid Thursday or Friday press events, which are apt to get lost in the pre-weekend shuffle. And because of reporters' increasingly tighter schedules and the number of virtual events they're invited to, it's important to make your event worth their while.

Choose the Right Platform

You can choose from numerous platforms offering a variety of experiences. You can go as simple as Facebook Live or use Zoom to better control who is viewing your press conference. Other platforms you should consider include Webex or Conference+.

Think Visual

Just as social media posts with visual aids get more interaction with followers, online press conferences with visuals are more engaging. If you are discussing a new piece of legislation aimed at increasing funding for school teachers' salaries, show a graph that compares teacher pay in your state with that in other states. Think of it as telling a story. This is critical in a virtual environment as you do not have a captive audience like you would at an in-person event. Guests or journalists may drift into multitasking on something else if you do not hold their attention.

Decide on Your Setup: Formal or Casual?

Your subject matter needs to drive your setup. For example, if your event involves answering questions about an existing piece of legislation, a seated, casual setting with good lighting and a clean, clear desk might work best. But if you are presenting on something a little more serious, with a potentially larger media attendance, you will need to think about...

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