Virtual events have completely transformed how creators build their audience and business in 2025.
When I hosted my first virtual summit back in 2014, I was working from a tiny student apartment in Sweden with no connections and barely any audience.
That single event generated 3,000 email subscribers and $20,000 in profit – enough for me to quit my job and move abroad.
The benefits of virtual events have only grown much stronger since then.
My recent AI for Creators summit generated 6 figures in revenue in just 10 days, proving these events are more powerful than ever.
In this guide, you’ll discover the 21 key benefits of virtual events, practical pro tips from my experience, and an honest look at potential challenges (plus exactly how to overcome them).
Let’s get started.
Table of contents
What is an online / virtual event?
Virtual events bring people together online instead of in physical locations. They’ve evolved dramatically from simple webinars to sophisticated multi-day experiences with interactive elements.
Types of virtual events include:
- Webinars
- Virtual summits
- Online conferences
- Virtual workshops
- Masterclasses
- Virtual exhibitions
- Virtual trade shows
- Virtual fairs
- Networking sessions
The virtual summit model has proven particularly effective for creators and entrepreneurs. It’s a multi-day online event featuring expert speakers that offers free registration with various monetization options.
For example, in my traditional summits, I’d offer free 24-48 hour access to sessions with a premium “all-access pass” for lifetime access and bonuses.
But with my recent AI for Creators summit, I kept all sessions permanently free on YouTube (generating over 30,000 views and 2,000 subscribers on a brand new channel) while selling an AI Super Bundle with specialized trainings and resources.
This flexible model works whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale an existing creator business.
21 powerful benefits of virtual events
Virtual events offer creators unprecedented opportunities to grow their audience, generate revenue, and build authority.
Experts predict that virtual events could reach a whopping $400 billion market value by as soon as 2027. They’re popular too. Citing accessibility as a key factor, 77.2% prefer virtual events over in-person alternatives.
Let’s explore the key benefits that make them so powerful in today’s creator economy.
1. Lead generation
Virtual events are the most powerful lead generation tools I’ve ever discovered in my decade of online business.
Traditional methods like blogging, podcasting, and social media can take years to build a substantial email list.
A well-executed virtual event can generate thousands of targeted subscribers in just days or weeks.
My List Building School summit added over 26,000 subscribers in two weeks.
My student Caitlin Pyle generated 60,000 subscribers with her Work-At-Home Summit.
Another student, Mitch Asser, went from zero to 30,000 subscribers through a series of virtual summits in the health niche.
The quality of these leads is exceptional because they’ve already demonstrated interest in your topic by registering and engaging with your content.
💡
Pro tip: Structure your registration process to qualify leads. Include a simple question or two that helps you understand who’s signing up and what they’re looking for. This data is gold for future marketing.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
I tried blogging and podcasting for 18 months with little growth. One virtual summit generated more subscribers in two weeks than all those methods combined in a year and a half.
2. Cost-effectiveness
Virtual events dramatically reduce the expenses associated with traditional in-person events while maintaining (or even increasing) their impact.
When you eliminate costs for venue rental, staff, travel, accommodations, catering, and physical materials, you can redirect those savings into areas that actually drive results – better speakers, enhanced production quality, or more effective marketing.
My student Kurt Black ran a parenting summit that would have cost $50,000+ as an in-person event but required less than $5,000 to host virtually – while reaching 20,000+ parents worldwide.
This cost efficiency makes virtual events accessible to creators at any level, whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale an established business.
💡
Pro tip: Redirect your venue savings into securing one or two high-profile speakers. The right expert can dramatically increase your event’s appeal and drive significantly more registrations.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
My last physical event cost nearly $45,000 to host for 200 attendees. My virtual summit with twice the attendance cost under $5,000 and generated triple the revenue. The math simply makes sense.
3. Global reach
Virtual events completely eliminate geographical limitations, opening your content to a worldwide audience.
My events have attracted attendees from over 100 countries. I’ve had participants join from remote islands, mountain villages, and major metropolitan areas alike – all experiencing the same high-quality content.
This global reach isn’t just about quantity – it’s about diversity of perspective. When your audience includes people from different countries and cultures, the resulting community becomes richer and more valuable.
My students have successfully hosted virtual events in languages from Spanish to Finnish to German, proving this model works across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
💡
Pro tip: Schedule your live elements with global time zones in mind. I typically run kickoff sessions on Sundays and plan any live Q&As at times that accommodate both US and European audiences. Consider recording separate introductions for Asia-Pacific regions if that’s a significant part of your audience.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
My virtual summits have connected me with people across six continents. That kind of reach would be impossible with physical events on my budget.
4. Authority building
Want to be seen as an authority in your niche? Host a virtual event with recognized experts.
When you bring together top names in your industry and position yourself alongside them, you gain immediate credibility through association. Your face appears next to established experts on your event page, in promotional materials, and in all content related to the event.
My student Alejandro went “from a nobody in my niche to a trusted advisor and thought leader during my first summit” – all while working a full-time job.
This authority positioning happens naturally, without having to claim expertise. You’re demonstrating your connections and curatorial abilities rather than just asserting your knowledge.
💡
Pro tip: Include your own session among the expert interviews to establish yourself as a peer, not just a host. This subtle positioning makes a huge difference in how your audience perceives you.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
There’s no faster way to position yourself as an authority than hosting a virtual event with recognized experts in your field. My first summit did more for my credibility than years of content creation.
5. Influencer relationships
Virtual events create meaningful relationships with influencers in your niche that can last for years.
When you feature speakers on your event, you’re not just getting content – you’re building connections that can lead to joint ventures, speaking opportunities, podcast interviews, and business partnerships.
I’ve built relationships with industry leaders like Ryan Levesque, Pat Flynn, and Ramit Sethi through my events. These relationships have led to multiple six-figure opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
Many of my students report that the relationships they built with speakers became their most valuable business assets.
💡
Pro tip: Schedule pre-chats with speakers before their sessions. This builds rapport and increases the likelihood they’ll promote your event. Focus these calls on how you can make them look good and provide value to their audience, not just what you need from them.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
The relationships I’ve built through virtual events have been worth far more than the direct revenue from the events themselves. Every major opportunity in my business can be traced back to connections made through my summits.
6. Revenue generation
Virtual events offer multiple revenue streams that can start flowing before your event even begins.
You can generate income through:
- Premium pass sales ($37-$97 typically)
- Specialized bundle offers (like my AI Super Bundle)
- Sponsorships (from a few hundred to multiple five figures)
- Backend product sales
- Affiliate commissions
- Workshop upsells
- Membership communities
My first summit made $20,000 in profit just from all-access pass sales. Then I earned an additional $40,000 the following month promoting an affiliate product to my new list.
My student Brian Appleton generated $225,000 in his first year of business through virtual summits in the insurance industry – starting from zero.
💡
Pro tip: Create a multi-tiered pricing strategy. I typically offer a standard premium pass, then a higher-tier option with additional bonuses like group coaching calls or exclusive trainings. This increases your average order value without requiring more content creation.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
Virtual events are the only marketing method I know that pays you to build your audience. Every other approach costs money up front and only generates returns much later.
7. Time efficiency
Virtual events save enormous amounts of time compared to in-person equivalents.
You eliminate:
- Travel time
- Venue setup and teardown
- On-site management
- Post-event cleanup
Plus, you can batch-record sessions ahead of time, meaning the actual event delivery can be largely automated.
This efficiency allows you to focus on what matters – creating great content and building relationships – rather than logistics and management.
Pro Tip: Batch-record as many sessions as possible in 2-3 day blocks. This maintains your energy and focus while dramatically reducing your overall time investment.
💡
Pro tip: I spent three months planning and executing my first in-person conference. My virtual summit reached 5x more people and required less than half the time investment.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
There’s no faster way to position yourself as an authority than hosting a virtual event with recognized experts in your field. My first summit did more for my credibility than years of content creation.
8. Data collection
Virtual events provide rich, actionable data that physical events can’t match.
You can track:
- Which sessions get the most views
- How long people watch each session
- Which topics drive the most registrations
- Which speakers generate the most engagement
- What questions attendees ask most frequently
This data becomes invaluable for future content creation, product development, and marketing strategies.
💡
Pro tip: Use strategic attendee surveys before, during, and after your event. Ask specific questions about challenges and goals to inform your future offers.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
The data I collected from my first summit shaped my entire content and product strategy for the next two years. I knew exactly what my audience wanted because they told me through their actions.
9. Content repurposing
One virtual event creates enough content for a year of marketing.
From a single summit, you can create:
- Podcast episodes
- Blog posts
- Social media content
- YouTube videos
- Email sequences
- Lead magnets
- Books
- Courses
I call this the “Virtual Event Multiplier Method” – turning one event into a content ecosystem.
My AI for Creators summit generated 30+ high-quality videos that continue to bring in new subscribers daily on YouTube, long after the live event ended.
💡
Pro tip: Plan your repurposing strategy before your event. Have transcriptions done immediately, then batch-process content creation.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
My virtual summits have solved my content creation challenges for years. One summit becomes dozens of pieces of high-value content that continue working for me.
10. Accessibility
Virtual events make expert knowledge easily accessible to people who couldn’t attend in-person events due to:
- Disabilities
- Financial constraints
- Geographic location
- Time limitations
- Family responsibilities
This inclusivity expands your potential audience dramatically while making a bigger impact.
My student Jen Taylor’s Play Therapy Summit reached thousands of therapists who could never have attended a physical conference due to client schedules, childcare needs, and travel costs.
💡
Pro tip: Design your event with various accessibility needs in mind. Provide transcripts, ensure platform compatibility with screen readers, and consider offering sessions in multiple languages if your audience requires it.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
The most heartwarming feedback I get is from people who say ‘I’ve always wanted to learn from these experts but could never attend their workshops.’ Virtual events democratize knowledge in ways that weren’t possible before.
11. Sponsor value
Virtual events offer unique benefits to sponsors that physical events can’t match.
Sponsors get:
- Digital assets that last beyond the event
- Precise tracking of engagement with their materials
- Direct access to qualified leads
- Extended exposure through event replays
My student Shivan Sarna secured $50,000 in sponsorship for her SIBO SOS Summit – more than covering her event costs and creating pure profit before a single attendee registered.
💡
Pro tip: Create digital sponsorship packages that offer increasing levels of exposure and lead access. Include special featured sessions or exclusive interviews with sponsors at higher tiers.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
Sponsors love virtual events because they can track their ROI precisely. I’ve had sponsors renew year after year because they can see exactly how many leads and sales their investment generates.
12. Flexibility
Virtual events offer unmatched flexibility in format, content, and delivery.
You can:
- Offer live and on-demand options
- Incorporate different content formats
- Adjust your schedule based on audience needs
- Update content as needed
- Test different approaches
This flexibility allows you to create an optimal experience for both speakers and attendees.
💡
Pro tip: Offer both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) elements in your event. Live kickoffs, Q&As, and networking sessions combined with pre-recorded expert interviews give you the best of both worlds.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
When we switched from requiring live attendance to offering on-demand access with live interactive elements, our attendance rate increased by 300%. People love the flexibility to learn on their schedule.
13. Scalability
Virtual events can scale almost infinitely with minimal additional cost.
Whether you have 100 or 10,000 attendees, the core work remains largely the same. This allows for exponential growth in impact and revenue without proportional increases in time or money investment.
Ocean Robbins scaled his Food Revolution Summit from 25,000 attendees to over 300,000 in three years with relatively minor increases in production costs.
💡
Pro tip: Design your systems and processes with scale in mind from the beginning. Create templates and workflows that can handle massive growth without requiring complete redesigns.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
The scalability of virtual events is their hidden superpower. Once you’ve built the framework, you can reach 10x more people with maybe 10% more effort.
14. Easy management
Virtual events eliminate many logistical headaches of physical events.
No more worrying about:
- Room capacity and overflow
- Audio-visual equipment failures
- Food and beverage coordination
- Venue staff management
- Weather disruptions
- Travel delays
Modern virtual event platforms handle much of the technical heavy lifting, leaving you free to focus on content and promotion.
💡
Pro tip: Use automation tools like Deadline Funnel for special offers, ActiveCampaign for email sequences, and ScheduleOnce for speaker coordination. The right tool stack makes management nearly hands-off during the event itself.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
My first in-person event required a team of 12 people to manage. My virtual summit reached 5x more people with just me and one virtual assistant handling everything.
15. Networking opportunities
Modern virtual events offer sophisticated networking capabilities that can rival or exceed in-person events.
Features like:
- Targeted matchmaking
- Interest-based breakout rooms
- Digital business card exchanges
- Direct messaging
- Follow-up automation
These tools create meaningful connections without geographical limitations.
My student Marie Grace Berg created a “Virtual Matchmaking” system in her JV Success Summit that led to over 50 documented partnerships between attendees.
💡
Pro tip: Create structured networking sessions with clear prompts and guidelines. The more specific the networking objective, the more valuable the connections become.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
The quality of connections at virtual events often surprises people. Without the distractions of travel fatigue and venue logistics, attendees can focus entirely on meaningful conversations.
16. Brand awareness
Virtual events exponentially increase your brand’s visibility and reach.
Every aspect of your event – from registration pages to session backgrounds to promotional materials – reinforces your brand identity to a global audience.
Plus, when speakers and affiliates promote your event, they’re simultaneously promoting your brand to their established audiences.
My student Jesse Krieger’s Bestseller Summit Online generated over 400 mentions across social media platforms, podcasts, and email newsletters – coverage that would have cost tens of thousands in traditional PR.
💡
Pro tip: Create consistent, professional branding across all touchpoints. Provide speakers with branded templates for their promotion to ensure visual consistency when they share your event.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
The brand recognition I built through one summit would have taken years to achieve through traditional content marketing. When 20+ experts share your event, their credibility transfers to your brand.
17. Measurable results
Virtual events provide precise, actionable metrics on every aspect of performance.
You can measure:
- Registration conversion rates
- Session attendance and completion
- Offer conversion rates
- Email open and click rates
- Revenue per attendee
- Speaker performance
- Content engagement
These metrics allow for continuous improvement and optimization.
💡
Pro tip: Set clear KPIs before your event. Knowing what success looks like helps you focus your efforts on the metrics that matter most to your specific goals.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
The analytics from my virtual events give me business intelligence that would cost thousands from a consultant. I know exactly what my audience wants, what they engage with, and what they’ll buy.
18. Environmental impact
Virtual events dramatically reduce the environmental footprint of traditional conferences.
By eliminating:
- Air travel
- Ground transportation
- Hotel energy usage
- Printed materials
- Food waste
- Promotional items
You’re creating a sustainable alternative that environmentally-conscious audiences increasingly prefer.
💡
Pro tip: Highlight the sustainability benefits in your marketing. Many participants and sponsors value the reduced carbon footprint and will choose your event specifically for this reason.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
When we calculated the carbon savings from hosting our summit virtually instead of in-person, it was equivalent to planting 5,000 trees. That became a key selling point for our environmentally-focused sponsors.
19. Location freedom
Host your event from anywhere with internet access.
I’ve run successful virtual events from Cancun, London, Barcelona, Panama, and more. This freedom is impossible with traditional in-person events.
Your speakers also benefit from this freedom, allowing you to feature experts who would never commit to travel for a physical event.
💡
Pro tip: Create a mobile-ready setup that lets you maintain quality while traveling. A good portable microphone, webcam, and lighting kit fits in a backpack and lets you host professional-quality events from anywhere.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
Virtual events have funded my lifestyle of working from anywhere. I’ve hosted summits from beach apartments, mountain cabins, and city lofts across four continents.
20. Lasting impact
Virtual events create assets that continue working for you long after the live component ends.
Unlike physical events that exist only in memory and sparse notes, virtual events generate:
- Recorded sessions
- Transcripts
- Community connections
- Digital resources
- Ongoing partnerships
My first summit from 2014 still generates leads and sales through its evergreen version nearly a decade later.
💡
Pro tip: Design your follow-up strategy before your event begins. Create automated sequences that nurture relationships with both buyers and non-buyers to maximize long-term value.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
Physical events end when people leave the venue. Virtual events can create value forever if you structure them correctly.
21. Low startup costs
You can host a profitable virtual event with minimal upfront investment.
Basic tools and equipment needs:
- Riverside or Descript
- Webcam (Logitech C922x: ~$100)
- Microphone (Audio-Technica ATR 2100: ~$80)
My first summit was recorded with equipment costing less than $200 total and generated $20,000 in profit.
Today, with our proven resources and templates in Virtual Summit OS, it’s even easier to host a wildly successful and profitable virtual event to build your personal brand and online business.
💡
Pro tip: Focus on content quality over production quality initially. You can upgrade your setup with profits from your first event.
Navid Moazzez
@thenavidm
Don’t let equipment stop you. What matters most is connecting great content with an eager audience. Everything else is secondary.
The Virtual Event Flywheel
The true power of virtual events comes from their compounding benefits over time.
Each successful event:
- Grows your email list
- Strengthens your authority
- Deepens industry relationships
- Creates valuable content
- Generates immediate revenue
- Opens new opportunities
These benefits don’t just add up – they multiply, creating what I call the Virtual Event Flywheel Effect.
My student Chandler Bolt used his Self-Publishing Success Summit to grow from a small business to multiple seven figures in revenue. The 30,000+ subscribers and relationships with industry leaders became the foundation for his entire business empire.
Potential disadvantages of virtual events
While the benefits are substantial, virtual events do come with challenges:
1. Technology challenges
Technical issues can disrupt even the best-planned virtual events.
How to overcome:
- Use reliable, tested platforms.
- Have backup plans for internet outages (tethering to your phone, alternative locations).
- Run thorough tests before going live.
2. Digital fatigue
With so many online events, standing out and maintaining engagement can be difficult.
How to overcome:
- Focus on unique, actionable content. Keep sessions concise (30-45 minutes).
- Include interactive elements and breaks.
- Use professional design to signal quality.
3. Limited in-person networking
Some relationship-building happens more naturally in person.
How to overcome:
- Create structured networking opportunities with clear objectives.
- Use breakout rooms effectively.
- Consider hybrid events when possible.
4. Potential for lower engagement
Without physical presence, some attendees may multitask or disengage.
How to overcome:
- Design for engagement with polls, challenges, and interactive exercises.
- Create a compelling environment with professional production values.
5. Increased competition
As virtual events become more common, standing out becomes harder.
How to overcome:
- Niche down to target specific audiences.
- Focus on unique value proposition and exceptional quality.
- Partner with established brands when possible.
FAQs
Here are answers to a few common questions I see people ask about virtual events and its benefits.
What are virtual events?
Virtual events are online gatherings that can include webinars, workshops, or conferences, allowing people to connect and interact over the internet.
How can virtual events benefit creators?
Creators can showcase their work, reach a larger audience, and engage with fans directly without geographical limitations.
Are virtual events cost-effective?
Yes, virtual events typically have lower costs than in-person events since there are no venue fees, travel expenses, or accommodation costs.
Can I reach a global audience with virtual events?
Absolutely! Virtual events allow you to attract participants from around the world, expanding your reach far beyond local audiences.
What tools do I need to host a virtual event?
You need a reliable internet connection, a computer or device with video capabilities, and a platform for hosting like Zoom or Google Meet.
How do I promote my virtual event?
You can promote your event using social media, email newsletters, and your website to inform your audience and encourage them to register.
Can I interact with attendees during virtual events?
Yes, most platforms offer features like live chats, Q&A sessions, and polls that facilitate interaction between you and the attendees.
What types of content work well for virtual events?
Content such as tutorials, discussions, panels, and live demonstrations tend to engage audiences effectively during virtual events.
How do I measure the success of my virtual event?
You can measure success by analyzing attendance numbers, engagement levels during the event, and feedback from participants afterward.
Can I record my virtual event for future use?
Yes, most platforms allow you to record your event. This way, you can repurpose the content later for marketing or educational purposes.
How long should my virtual event be?
For your first event, I recommend 3-7 days. This is enough time to create value without overwhelming you or your audience.
How many speakers should I include?
For a 5-day summit, 15-25 speakers works well. Too few doesn’t create enough variety; too many dilutes the experience.
Do I need to be an expert to host a virtual event?
No! Many successful virtual event hosts position themselves as curators rather than experts. You’re bringing together knowledge for your audience, not claiming to know everything yourself.
How much does it cost to host a virtual event?
You can start with as little as $300-500 for basic equipment and software. As you grow, you might invest more in production quality, but many successful events start very lean.
How do I monetize my virtual event?
Common monetization models include premium passes, specialized bundles, sponsorships, backend offers, and affiliate promotions. Choose the model that best fits your audience and goals.
Conclusion
The benefits of virtual events for creators have never been more powerful than in 2025.
From explosive list building to global reach, authority positioning to multiple revenue streams, virtual events offer unparalleled opportunities to grow your personal brand and online lifestyle business.
With the right approach and systems, you can host a successful virtual event regardless of your current audience size or technical expertise.
Are you ready to experience these powerful benefits for yourself? Start planning your virtual event today – your audience is waiting.
Whenever you’re ready, here are 5 ways I can help you:
- The Navid Insider Newsletter (Free) – Get my best insights on self-discipline, business, and high performance.
- The Ultimate Creator Toolbox (Free) – My go-to list of tools & resources for creators and entrepreneurs.
- The Ultimate Video Gear Guide (Free) – The exact video gear I use to create high-quality content.
- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (Free) – Watch my latest videos on business, health, and self-improvement.
- Newsletter Sponsorship: Promote your business to 20,000+ highly engaged creators.
