Want to be part of Refugee Festival Scotland but don’t know where to begin with organising your online event? Here are six tips to get you started.
1. Chose an event
First, decide what kind of event you would like to organise – a concert, dance performance, cookery demonstration, poetry reading, piece of theatre, short film, or arts and crafts workshop.
Whatever you have planned, make sure you think about how to make your event work for an online audience. Are you inviting them to visit an virtual art exhibition, showing a pre-recorded video, or livestreaming your event in real time?
2. Pick an online platform
There are so many ways to take your event online that it can be hard to know where to start. Have a look at our quick introduction to some of the well-known platforms.
3. How will people take part?
Decide if you would like your audience to simply watch your performance, or whether you want them to actively take part by adding comments to a virtual message board, joining a workshop via video link, or getting involved in an online discussion.
4. Ask people to register
Asking people to sign up or register their interest in your event helps you keep track of numbers. It also makes it easier to send people updates, invitations or web links in advance. Creating a Facebook event is an easy way to do this.
5. Do a practice run
It’s a good idea to do a run-through before your event. This will help you get used to the technology and gives you a chance to spot and deal with any potential problems in advance.
6. Make it easy to take part
Let people know when and how they can join your event and share a link to your live stream or online meeting.
If people need to prepare for your event, let them know beforehand. For example, if you’re hosting a cook-along, provide a list of ingredients and equipment needed to take part.
We can’t wait to see what you have planned for Refugee Festival Scotland 2021. Submissions are open until midnight on Sunday, 9 May.
If you would like help or advice with your event application, please contact our friendly festival team at festival@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
For more information, take a look at the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about the festival.
