Your company’s annual conference and expo is coming up and everyone’s looking to you to come up with some “social media strategy.” Social media strategy? What the heck is that? You don’t do the whole Facebook thing and tweeting is as foreign as the things Andrew Zimmern eats on Bizarre Foods.
So where do you start?
While some companies and organizations may have it all figured out, many are just delving into this whole new concept. Who would’ve thought that in addition to making sure you have all the educational sessions, networking events, sponsored parties, book signings, press conferences, exhibition halls and keynote speakers in line, you also have to incorporate a whole new (and necessary) digital expectation into the trade show? Whether your event attracts young professionals or experienced ready-to-retire folks, social media plays an integral part in the success of your show.
Here are 10 DOS and DON’TS for integrating social media into conferences and trade shows.
10. DO create a Facebook event within your company’s Facebook group. Invite group members to attend and keep the group open for those who are invited to invite others. Keep track of those who RSVP “yes” and cross reference the “yes” list with those who have actually registered to attend. If you find that someone hasn’t registered yet, follow up with a personal e-mail or message reminder.
9. DO create a Twitter hashtag for the event. Make sure the hashtag is short and easy to remember. This will help keep track of who’s mentioning your event and will help to build hype before, during and after the event takes place. Of course, use the hashtag each time you tweet anything referencing the conference.
8. DO host a tweet up. If you have the means and there is an interest, consider hosting a tweet up at the show. This will allow those who meet on Twitter to meet face-to-face and match Twitter handles with names and faces. This is also an opportunity for those who are interested in Twitter but don’t know much about it to become more familiar and learn more.
7. DO develop on-site collateral (signage, fliers, etc.) mentioning the various social media outlets your business participates in. This will help to raise awareness and will act as a reminder for your audience to tune in and communicate with each other and your company through these online networks.
6. DO upload photos and videos in real time. Taking photos and shooting video at a conference are key. While there may be professional photographers or videographers shooting the show, having candid camera footage is great too. Posting photos to Flickr and videos to YouTube in real time allows everyone to see the action as it’s taking place.
5. DO create a landing page on your event Web site. By creating a landing page dedicated to social media on your Web site, you can post Twitter, YouTube and Flickr widgets which house everything together on one page. This way people don’t have to find your company on each social media outlet individually but instead can go to one place to see everything at once.
4. DON’T get upset when people RSVP “no” to your Facebook event. Clearly not everyone can come to every single conference and event that your company hosts. Don’t be discouraged by these “no” responses. People are being honest–and that’s what social media is all about.
3. DON’T create a Twitter hashtag and not use it. If you aren’t using your Twitter hashtag promoting your event, don’t be surprised if others aren’t either. The more you use it and spread the word, the more others will consider including it in their tweets as well.
2. DON’T host a tweet up with no plan in place. If you host a tweet up, be sure to have a plan or agenda in place beforehand. Have name tags and markers for people to write down their Twitter handles. It’s also important to remember that the environment in which you host the tweet up must be conducive to generating a successful tweet up in the first place. If you host a tweet up in a library, chances will probably be high that very few (if any) people will show up. If you host it at a bar or lounge, bowling alley, concert venue or art gallery, this creates a more exciting and inviting atmosphere. (You want people to show up, right?)
1. DO remember to have fun and be creative! Social media is a combination of professional, personal, creative, interesting, interactive and intuitive tools used to engage your audience in a variety of effective ways. Exploring these online resources and incorporating them in to your next event or conference will be a fun, new and exciting addition that your attendees, exhibitors, followers, friends and colleagues will surely enjoy.
Have you ever managed social media for an event, conference or trade show? I welcome your experiences, thoughts and pointers in the comments below.
- L
Pingback: Tweets that mention Tackling Social Media for Your Next Event « Laurie Steiner -- Topsy.com