Events are a great way to provide premium value to your community. In brief, Honeycommb's Events system offers a way to create events (by type), market the event to your network, and collect and manage RSVPs to that event.
Overview of Key Features
Only administrators can create events in the network
Events are defined by three event types: 1. In-person, 2. Online, 3. Livestream
RSVP settings either: 1. make the event available to everyone, 2. require RSVP to attend, 3. point to an external location (link), or 4. make your event a paid event.
An RSVP limit can be placed on an event
Events can be marked as "Premium," only allowing members with a community subscription that offers premium events to RSVP and attend.
Events can have multiple Hosts listed as either: Organizer, Host, Speaker, or Guest.
For members who RSVP, emails are sent that can add the event to their calendar. Changes to the event send emails that update the member's calendar.
Event Types
Events are defined by their type. This gives your members an idea of what to expect from the event and, based on the event type, the information provided with the event. The three event types are;
In-person: An event that happens in person. An event address is required.
Online: An event that happens online. Provide a link or description of where the online event will occur.
Livestream: An event that will happen in the network as a livestream. A stream key and stream URL will be provided.
Steps To Create An Event
Starting in the "Events" section of the Control Center;
Click the "Create New Event" button and select which type of event to create; In-person, Online, Livestream. This will bring you to the event's edit page.
Event Date & Time: Select a start date and time and the end date and time. Other than livestream events (2 hours), there is no length limit.
Event Name: Give your event a short but concise name. Think about using defining factors for your event name. Example: Live Class: Knitting a Basic Stitch.
Event Description: Describe the value of the event. This can include links to pay pages and other online destinations.
Event Art: Event art is required. Like the event name, consider visual defining factors, like using the same color for certain types of events. Art must be square. Use readily available tools on your computer or phone, or free tools like Canva to easily create square art.
Event Host(s): Add a host, organizer, speaker, or guest to the event information. Hosts do not have to be members of the network but if they are viewers of the event can visit their profile linked on the event page.
Event Address (In-person): Add a venue name (not required) and the In-person event's physical address. Honeycommb uses the Google Maps API. Start typing and the address should eventually be found for you to select.
-or-Online Location (Online): Enter a URL or a description of where the online event will take place. Examples: 1. Zoom link, 2. "Live chat in the Boston group".
Send Event Email: Turn the toggle "on" to send a beautiful event notification email to everyone in your network.
RSVP Settings (read: Event RSVP Settings for more details):
There are three different options for RSVPS Settings;
1. Does not require RSVP (default): Members can RSVP, but RSVP'ing "I'm Going" is NOT required to see the event detail information, like location, link, or livestream info.
2. Requires RSVP: Members are required to RSVP "I'm Going" or "Interested" to see event detail information, like event location, link, or livestream information. You can also include a RSVP limit with the Requires RSVP setting.
3. External RSVP: This setting points the event's RSVP button to an external event source (link) that you provide for use cases like webinars, external ticket sales, or calls. Label the RSVP button whatever you like.
4. Paid Event: For networks with the "Monetization" add-on feature, you will see a fourth "Paid Event" option. This will allow you to require members to purchase access to the event. Payment happens in the network and, like subscriptions, uses your Stripe account.
Save Draft: to save your event. The event will not be published to your network but saved in your Control Center Events table under the "Draft Events" tab.
To publish the event, go to the Events table, select the "Event Drafts" tab. Either click the ••• button at the end of the table row, and select "Publish Event" -or- go to the event page by clicking on the event draft event in the table and then clicking on the "Publish Event" button on the top right. The event will now be available for members to view and RSVP to.
Other Available Event Settings
There are a handful of other settings that can be added to an event by clicking the "+ Add Available Event Settings" button.
Online Location (In-person Event-only): A separate link for an In-person event can be included with the event. This can be helpful if there is an accompanying Zoom or livestream, or if there's a place to learn more about the event or event host(s).
Group Event: Like a post, you can associate an event with a group in the network. Access and viewability of the event for members will depend on the group's "type" and whether network members are a member of the group.
See also: Group Type Definitions
See also: Group Events
Event Address (Online Event-only): An event address can be added for online events. This can be helpful if the primary experience of the event is the online location but there also happens to be an in-person component to the event.
Premium Event: You will only see this option if the network has subscriptions turned on and one of the subscription products includes premium events. Use this setting to make the event "premium". This only allows members with the community subscription that offers premium events to attend.
Event Benefits: Communicate event benefits by including the setting and adding any number of event benefit line items.
Attachments: Include file attachments of any kind. Examples: Agenda, educational materials, coupons, and event instructions.
Editing An Event
An event can be edited either when it is in draft or even when it's published. It can not be edited once the event has concluded. To edit an event;
In the Control Center, go to "Events" and find the event you want to edited. Click on the ••• button at the end of the event row and select "Edit Event" -or- click on the event row to view the event information, click on the ••• button on the top right, and select "Edit Event".
You can edit all information, except for being able to send an event notification email.
When the edits are complete, click "Save Changes". Note that an event update email may be sent, with technology that will update the members' calendar, if you adjusted any of the following
Start / End date or time
In-person: Location address
Online location: Online location
Canceling, Closing RSVP, and Deleting a Published Event
A published event can not only be edited but it can also be canceled, have the RSVP ability closed, and deleted.
Canceling an event will remove and inform by email all of the event RSVPs of "I'm Going" and "Interested" that the event has been canceled. The event will also be removed from the list of upcoming events in the network.
Closing RSVP will remove the ability for more members to RSVP to a published event.
Deleting a published live or upcoming event will inform by email all of the RSVPs of "I'm Going" and "Interested" that the event has been canceled. The event will be removed from the list of upcoming events in the network. The event will also no longer exist in the Control Center.