5 Things to Do After Your Virtual Summit Ends: Wrapping Up, Reflecting, and Launching Your Offer

Congratulations! Your virtual summit has come to an end, and it's time to reflect on the incredible journey you've just experienced.

As the dust settles, you may find yourself feeling a mix of emotions – happy for the success, yet a tinge of sadness as the event concludes and you head back to your normal days. After hosting 15+ virtual summit-style events, I've come to this place many times and each time it feels about the same. 

A flood of joy and relief, followed by a slight post-summit 'downtime'.

And after speaking with many fellow virtual summit hosts over the years, I've come to realize these feelings are not only normal but also totally natural! 

In this blog post, we'll explore the essential steps to wrap up your summit effectively, including engaging with speakers and sponsors, taking time for self-reflection, and considering your next move.

Let's dive in!

1. Wrapping Up with Speakers: Continuity and Collaboration

After the summit, it's crucial to maintain a strong connection with your speakers.

Make sure they know you really appreciate them contributing to your event and that that overall participation was enjoyed! You can reach out to them personally (or with personal touches in an automated email), expressing your gratitude for their valuable contributions. Let them know what's coming next, key dates to remember like when you want your survey completed as well as when affiliate payments will be made.

You can also let them know how they can continue to be involved in your community. This is a chance to start fostering a sense of continuity, and you may even include a short invitation for them to participate in future projects, collaborations, or even as guest speakers in upcoming events.

2. Tying Up Loose Ends with Sponsors: Fulfilling Commitments

Your sponsors have played a significant role in making your virtual summit a reality.

Now is the time to ensure you've fulfilled all your sponsorship commitments. Pull up your sponsorship fulfillment sheet for each sponsor and make sure each item has been completed.  You'll want to definitely reach out to each sponsor individually, expressing your appreciation for their support. Confirm that all the promised benefits, such as logo placement, recognition, or promotional opportunities, have been delivered as agreed upon.

And if you've offered any post-event benefits, go ahead and make sure you have everything you need to get these items completed, such as copy and graphics, and then provide your sponsor with an update on the timing for these deliverables. 

Building strong relationships with sponsors can pave the way for future partnerships and sponsorships.

3. Taking Time to Reflect: A Necessity for Growth

Reflection is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, and taking the time to reflect on the good, bad, ugly, and amazing is key to continuing to build up a strong event that delivers results each and every time you run it.

Set aside dedicated time to reflect on your virtual summit – what worked well, what could be improved, and what lessons you've learned along the way.

We suggest gathering feedback from attendees, speakers, and sponsors to gain valuable insights. You can do this with a simple feedback survey using a tool like Google Forms, (or the one included in our Ultimate Event Organizer). Keep the survey anonymous so people feel comfortable to tell you their true feelings and keep it short, so they actually fill it in!

Use this information to refine your strategies, enhance your event planning skills, and deliver an even better experience in the future.

4. Taking Some Time Off: Rest and Rejuvenate

Running a virtual summit can be a demanding endeavor, both physically and mentally. There are a ton of small tasks and decisions that need to be made in a relatively short period of time, and then you roll right into the event which requires energy put into developing the community, hosting live calls, and just showing up for your people. 

It's a lot. 

After an intense period of planning and execution, it's essential to prioritize self-care. Take some time off to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate. We recommend taking about a week to yourself before jumping into any projects. During this time, try to focus on activities that bring you joy and help you unwind. 

Remember, taking care of yourself is crucial to maintaining the energy and passion required for future endeavors.

5. Launching Your Offer: Capitalizing on the Momentum

The post-summit period is an ideal time to leverage the momentum and excitement generated by your event. This could be a launch directly following your event or one that you ease into after a short period of rest, both for you and your attendees. 

If you have an offer or product to launch, seize the opportunity to do so while your audience is still engaged and eager to learn from you. Craft a strategic launch plan, considering the valuable connections and trust you've built during the summit. Utilize various marketing channels, such as email, social media, and targeted promotions, to maximize your offer's visibility and impact. 

While launching an offer immediately after your summit can be tempting, it's not always the right choice for everyone.

In my experience, I decided to focus on nurturing the relationships I had formed during the event first. By providing continued value, fostering connections, and delivering exceptional support, I strengthened the foundation for future launches. Consider your unique circumstances, goals, and audience preferences before deciding on the timing of your offer launch.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

As your virtual summit comes to an end, remember to celebrate your achievements and express gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success.

You've just accomplished something great, and you should be proud of that. 

Wrapping up with speakers and sponsors, taking time to reflect, and allowing yourself to relax are all essential steps in the post-summit journey. Whether you decide to launch your offer immediately or nurture your community first, trust your instincts and make choices that align with your long-term vision.

Embrace this opportunity for growth, and get ready to embark on your next exciting venture!