This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Vision board parties have become the thing to do when the new year is coming around and you’re ready to redefine your future.
In my opinion, vision boards are the best way to leave an old, crusty year behind and walk into your new year brand new, rejuvenated and ready to make your past accomplishments look like blips on the radar.
Vision board parties literally have it all: good food, drinks, goal setting, crafts, knowledge sharing and (most important) a reason to brag about yourself. (Who doesn’t like a little humble bragging?)
That begs the question, is it possible to take an in-person experience like a vision board party and bring it online? The answer is a definite YES!
I've hosted a few virtual vision board parties and the majority of the process is the same. The biggest difference would be getting the attendees to feel "in the moment" enough to share their stories and get to know each other.
Here’s how to do a virtual vision board party your attendees will love.
The Tools
FOR THE VIDEO
For hosting the virtual vision board party, I use Crowdcast.
This is a super easy-to-use tool that allows you to broadcast to a live audience. (It’s so simple, I’ve had non-tech-folks tell me how much they love it!)
Crowdcast is perfect for vision board parties because this service allows up to 4 people to come onto the screen at the same time so your attendees can really get to know each other! In my events, I’ve had attendees jump on to the screen live to share their answers to questions I’ve asked the group.
Crowdcast will also accept ticketed events and even process the payments for you to making selling tickets to your virtual event super easy!
The Agenda
Your agenda will look similar to an in-person event.
Welcome: This is where you welcome guests and possibly share a tiny bit about you. You can ask guests questions and tell them what they have access to with the software you’re using. With Crowdcast, you’re able to invite guests live to share their story, they have a chat window and polls that they could use to engage. You’ll want to share all of these options with them at the beginning of the evening.
Icebreaker: These are simple “getting to know you” activities. I’ve discussed vision board party ice breakers in detail here.
Activity: Vision board parties are meant to get people thinking about what matters most in their lives and set goals. Walk through one or two activities to help your attendees think ask the important questions about what they really want out of their lives.
Tutorial: Every vision board party needs a tiny vision board tutorial. Here is where you tell attendees how to create a vision board that works. Creating effective vision boards typically consists of three phases: deciding on what big goal you want to work towards, thinking about how you’ll enjoy your life while in pursuit of that goal, and putting those ideas onto paper. Find out a fun way for you to share that with your audience.
PRO TIP #1: KEEP IT (RELATIVELY) SHORT
The party can be shorter, 1-2 hours. This depends on the time of day, whether the group becomes active and the conversation. I usually let the conversation flow and have gone up to 2.5 hours if things are going really well.
PRO TIP #2: BE READY FOR EVERYTHING
In person, you can control the room, the ambiance and what's going on in the background. You cannot do any of these things in a virtual party.
For example, in one virtual party a woman's kids ran up to her to say goodnight.
To keep the party fun, I chatted about her kids and wrapped parenting goals into the conversation.
When you're doing a virtual party - you have to be super flexible and ready for surprises.
PRO TIP #3: MAKE IT INTERACTIVE
Have activities for people to do and ask questions - wait for them to answer. People will be typing in response to what you’re saying in the event. Some people type slower than others. When you ask questions make sure you wait for people to type and respond to your questions before moving on to the next topic.
The Risk
The biggest benefit of a vision board party is taking that moment to yourself to stop worrying about what’s going on at home, work, hubby, the kids and focus on yourself for a moment. In it’s essence, it’s self care.
Moving vision board parties to online puts the self care benefit at serious risk.
In person, you can control the room, the ambiance and what's going on in the background. You cannot do any of these things in a virtual party.
For example, in one virtual party a woman's kids ran up to her to say goodnight.
To keep the party fun, I chatted about her kids and wrapped parenting goals into the conversation.
This is the biggest thing when you're doing a virtual party - you have to be super flexible and ready for surprises.
If you’re thinking about hosting a virtual vision board party this year, give it a shot! This can be a great way to meet people online that you would never be able to interact with in person and add a more interactive form of communication with your audience.
Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party?
Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.
Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts.
Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!
