Just because you can’t get together in person doesn’t mean that your team has to skip happy hour. These events build confidence and comfort between team members. That not only translates into fun, but better relationships at work. So keeping your social hour going with virtual happy hours is especially important when everyone is spread out and working from home.
Luckily, we live in a time where hangouts can be moved online by using video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, or Houseparty. That means you can still see each other, and opens the door to new ways you can enjoy each other’s company. With these virtual happy hour tips you’ll find all the creative workarounds you need to entertain your virtual guests. Here’s how to host a virtual happy hour that employees will enjoy just as much if not more than your usual after-work outings:
Every good host knows that sometimes a party needs a little help to get going. Virtual happy hour makes breaking the ice easier. There are tons of games and features that you can rely on to make it an even happier hour. Let’s cover the best virtual happy hour tips to try with your business:
Formal, pajamas, costume—it doesn’t matter what the theme is, just that you have fun with it! Take a poll with your employees, and try to switch up the themes for every virtual happy hour.
It goes without saying that if you can’t get together, everyone will have to bring their own drinks. So why not encourage everyone to challenge their bar skills? Decide on a new cocktail everyone can learn to make at home. Cheer up your team by gifting them each a company branded wine glass or personalized bottle opener. It’ll make the experience feel even more unified and team oriented.
Tip: See our entire new collection of Virtual Happy Hour Gifts.
Having a company virtual happy hour has benefits normal happy hours don’t, like games and filters. You can have everyone choose a fun background or filter, so long as the video conferencing platform you’re using permits it. Or you can have everyone take part in a game. Use a game app that everyone can sign into, or go low-tech with Pictionary. As long as everyone has paper and a marker, the rest of your team can keep track of the timer and guess the drawing.
Take a screen shot of everyone together—well, sort of together. Posting this to your company’s Instagram stories is a great way of letting your customer base know that your business is taking time to enjoy positive moments with employees.
Once you’ve decided how to host a virtual happy hour with your company, consider how you can take that creative innovation into other areas of your life. Check out our other blogs on maintaining customer outreach through social media and ideas for fun activities to do at home with kids.
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