For many virtual summit hosts, we'll make the big decision to have a Facebook (or Facebook-like) community that goes with our virtual event! These communities can be a great addition to virtual summits, especially those that offer mostly pre-recorded sessions without live segments. 

They foster community, give attendees a place to ask questions, and chat with speakers, sponsors, and fellow attendees as well as a place for you to drop all the important information in case anybody doesn't open their emails! 

And while not the perfect choice for every event host, they can be great additions that offer a different level of engagement for active participants! Not sure if you should even have a Facebook Group for your event? Click here to read our post about whether an event Facebook group is the right choice!

So if you've hosted an event group or are considering one, then keep reading to learn your options for what to do with it after your virtual summit has ended. 

Making the Most of Your Attendee Facebook Group 

Congratulations on successfully hosting your virtual summit!

It's been an incredible journey, and now it's time to transition from the event itself to nurturing a vibrant community.

In this blog post, we will discuss what to do with your virtual summit community after the event, explore options for managing the event Facebook group, provide tips on creating engaging posts, determine the ideal duration for keeping the group open, and guide you through transitioning from an event group to a thriving community.

Options for what to do with the event Facebook group:

• Keep it as a dedicated community space: Continue using the group exclusively for discussions related to your niche or industry. This allows attendees to maintain connections and continue learning from each other.
• Merge it with an existing community: If you already have an active Facebook group or online platform catering to a similar audience, consider merging both communities together. This consolidation provides a more robust space for networking and knowledge sharing.
• Close/Archive it as a resource library: If you no longer wish to actively manage the group but want its content accessible as a resource or for the next event, you can archive it. This preserves valuable discussions and allows members to refer back to them when needed. Then you can easily re-open the group when the next event is ready, without starting from scratch! 

If You Decide To Close Your Event Facebook Group

Deciding when to close an event Facebook group depends on various factors, such as ongoing engagement, relevance, and available resources.

However, we recommend keeping it open for at least a few weeks after the event ends. This allows participants time to reflect, connect, and wrap up any conversations initiated during the summit.

Closing your virtual summit community after the event:

Your virtual summit attendees are now part of a valuable network that can continue to foster growth and collaboration. Here are some key actions you can take before closing your group to make the most of this special community and get members ready for what's next:

• Foster engagement: Encourage attendees to share their key takeaways, connect with each other, and discuss how they plan to implement what they've learned during the event. This is a great way to grab testimonials and social proof for the next event while actively making notes of what worked and what you should double down on for next time!
• Set clear expectations: Communicate with members about what will be happening with the group. Let them know, that the group is closing until the next event and that they can refer back to it for reference, but it will no longer be an active community with ongoing support. 
• Schedule Closing Announcements: Schedule a few closing announcements over the time you've decided to keep the group active. Space them out and schedule at different times using your event hashtag to make sure as many group members see the announcement as possible! 

If You Decide To Transition Into A Community:

Transitioning from an event-focused group to a long-term community requires careful planning and communication. It will also become part of your business moving forward, which is something every event host should consider and weigh the options, before deciding to keep it open. We had a Facebook group for the Teach Me How To Summit, that I intended to keep open, but due to lack of engagement we scraped it entirely and focused more on delivering helpful content like these blogs and more templates! 

Here are some tips if you decide to keep your group open:

• Set clear expectations: Communicate with members about how the focus of the group will shift towards building a community centered around continuous learning, collaboration, and support, rather than just event content.
• Establish community guidelines: This is a must for every community, in our opinion, and although you might already have guidelines and rules in place, take a look to see if they need to be updated to speak to an ongoing community outside of just event posts. Create guidelines that encourage respectful behavior, knowledge sharing, and active participation within your new community.
• Introduce regular content or events: Plan weekly or monthly activities such as live Q&A sessions with industry experts, book clubs, or challenges that keep members engaged and motivated. A group is only as active as its participants, so if you can engage your members early on and keep it going, the healthier your group will be in the long run! 
• Provide ongoing value: Share relevant resources, articles, or expert interviews related to the summit's topic. This keeps participants engaged and reinforces their investment in your community.
• Offer exclusive opportunities: Give members access to special discounts or early-bird registration for future events or courses. This keeps them excited about staying connected.

Transition your event group to a community:

To ensure a smooth transition, it's essential to communicate with your attendees about the future of the group. Consider sharing the following types of posts:

• Announcement post: Clearly explain your plans for the group and invite feedback or suggestions from members. Schedule several reminders at different times using different visual assets to make sure you get the biggest reach! 
• Polls: Engage your audience by asking them what they would like to see in the post-event community. This helps you tailor your approach based on their preferences.
• Testimonials: Share positive feedback and testimonials from attendees about their experience during the virtual summit. This reminds them of the value gained and reinforces their desire to stay connected.
• Education Posts: Share a few pieces of your content with your members to get them ready to learn! This will also get your audience used to having blogs and resources posted in the new community and familiar with your website, where you'll likely be sending them from time to time. 

Making the Most of Your Attendee Facebook Group 

Your virtual summit may have ended, but your journey toward creating a thriving community has just begun.

By leveraging your event Facebook group effectively, nurturing ongoing engagement, and transitioning to a community-focused approach, you can build a valuable network that continues to grow and support each other. Embrace the possibilities and watch your community flourish!

And if you decide that keeping your event Facebook Group isn't right for you and your business, we support your decision as well! Close it up the right way, following our advice above, and focus your time and energy on the things that matter to your audience the most!

Remember, we are here to support you every step of the way in your virtual event planning journey. Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance or have further questions.