The Format Should Serve the Purpose
The event type you choose shapes everything about the attendee experience — how people access it, what level of preparation they need, and what kind of interaction is possible. The right choice is the one that best matches what you're trying to create and who you're creating it for.
taron supports five event types: In-Person, Online, Hybrid, Audio, and Flash. Each has distinct strengths.
In-Person Events
In-person events create the richest environment for relationship-building. Physical presence — shared food, hallway conversations, the energy of a room — does things that no digital format can fully replicate.
Best for: Networking events, community gatherings, workshops where hands-on interaction matters, celebratory or cultural occasions, experiences where the venue itself is part of the draw.
Consider: Geographic limitation, venue cost and logistics, check-in coordination, and the effort of managing a physical space.
Online Events
Online events remove geography as a barrier, making them particularly valuable for taron's community of Africans across the continent and diaspora. An event in Lagos can include participants in London, Nairobi, and New York simultaneously.
Best for: Panel discussions, educational sessions, interviews, community calls, workshops that don't require physical presence, reaching audiences across multiple locations.
Consider: The interaction format needs deliberate design — online events that run as passive broadcasts often produce lower engagement than those with structured participation opportunities.
Hybrid Events
Hybrid events run simultaneously in-person and online. Done well, they offer the best of both formats. Done poorly, one group gets a noticeably worse experience.
Best for: Conferences or events with a strong in-person core that want to extend reach online; events serving diaspora communities alongside local ones.
Consider: Hybrid events require more technical setup and more intentional design to ensure online participants feel genuinely included rather than like an afterthought.
Audio Events
Audio-only events strip away video requirements and create a more focused listening environment. They're lower-friction for attendees who don't want to be on camera and can be tuned into flexibly.
Best for: Conversations, panel discussions, community calls, talk-based content where visuals aren't necessary.
Consider: Less suitable for content that benefits from visual demonstration or where audience visibility matters to the format.
Flash Events
Flash Events are short-notice, time-limited experiences. They reward your most engaged followers — those with notifications enabled who are ready to respond quickly.
Best for: Spontaneous community moments, impromptu Q&As, exclusive experiences for core audience members, testing new formats informally.
Consider: Low lead time means lower overall attendance. Flash Events are high-engagement with your existing audience, not a growth tool.