DES Digital Event Strategist study plan
DES Digital Event Strategist · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Digital Event Strategy
Define digital event strategy and list five differences from in-person events
Identify the core components of a digital event business case (objectives, audience, budget, ROI)
Draft a one-page strategic brief for a hypothetical digital event
Compare three digital event formats (webinar, virtual conference, hybrid) on cost, reach, and engagement
Your checkpoint
A one-page strategic brief with objectives, target audience, format recommendation, and success metrics
Digital Event Strategy
Map stakeholder roles and responsibilities for a digital event
Create a risk register with at least five risks and mitigation tactics
Develop a budget outline covering platform, production, marketing, and contingency
Write SMART objectives for a digital event and align them to business outcomes
Your checkpoint
A risk register and budget outline for a 500-attendee virtual conference
Digital Event Design and Experience
Design an attendee journey map from registration to post-event follow-up
Select engagement tactics (polls, Q&A, networking lounges) appropriate for each event phase
Draft a content plan that balances live and on-demand sessions
Incorporate accessibility and inclusivity guidelines into the event design
Your checkpoint
An attendee journey map with at least three engagement touchpoints per phase
Digital Event Design and Experience
Create a detailed run-of-show for a 90-minute virtual session
Design a networking activity that works for both live and on-demand attendees
Develop a speaker brief that includes technical and engagement expectations
Plan a post-event experience that drives on-demand viewing and community continuation
Your checkpoint
A run-of-show and speaker brief for a 90-minute virtual session
Digital Event Technology and Platforms
Compare at least four digital event platforms on features, pricing, and scalability
Evaluate platform capabilities for live streaming, breakout rooms, and analytics
Outline technical requirements for presenters and attendees (bandwidth, devices, software)
Identify data privacy and security considerations for event platforms
Your checkpoint
A platform comparison matrix with weighted scoring for a 1,000-attendee event
Digital Event Technology and Platforms
Build a technical production checklist for live and pre-recorded content
Plan a backup plan for connectivity failures and platform outages
Test a platform's analytics dashboard and export key metrics
Integrate a registration system with the event platform and verify data flow
Your checkpoint
A technical production checklist and backup plan document
Digital Event Marketing, Engagement and Measurement
Develop a multi-channel marketing plan (email, social, partners) with a content calendar
Design a registration funnel and identify conversion optimization points
Create an engagement measurement framework with KPIs for each event phase
Draft a post-event survey and a plan for analyzing results
Your checkpoint
A marketing and measurement plan with a 4-week content calendar and KPI dashboard template
Digital Event Marketing, Engagement and Measurement
Calculate event ROI using registration, attendance, and engagement data
Compile a post-event report with insights and recommendations
Simulate a full practice exam and review weak areas across all domains
Create a personal exam-day strategy with time allocation per domain
Your checkpoint
A post-event report template and a completed practice exam score analysis
Milestones
Week 4: Completed strategic brief, risk register, and attendee journey map; scored at least 70% on a domain 1-2 practice quiz
Week 6: Finalized platform selection and technical checklist; demonstrated ability to set up a test event on a platform
Week 8: Achieved a score of 80% or higher on a full-length practice exam and identified top three weak areas for final review