When I’m at an event, it’s like I’m a tweet machine. I find that when it comes to Twitter and conferences, they work well with each other. Sure, video can pick up a lot more than 140 characters can, but Twitter allows attendees to practically live blog an event in real time, while allowing others to share and spread the news about it.
Through the years, I’ve mastered a few Twitter event tips, and I’m going to share with you on how to rock Twitter during a conference.
How to Rock Twitter During a Conference
Tip 1. Get Hootsuite, or something similar to it. I’ve found that in using Hootsuite, you can tweet on multiple channels, and multiple devices, as well as schedule information out.
Tip 2. Find out the correct event hashtag, and create a channel based on that search term.
Tip 3. Before diving right in, make an event disclaimer to your Twitter followers so they are aware that you’re at an event, and there will be a much higher volume of tweets coming through your channel.
Tip 4. Observe the channel and retweet all tweets that are informative and interesting.
Tip 5. Take lots of pictures and share them. Don’t forget to use the event hashtag. Create an interesting short blurb about the picture.
Tip 6. Try to catch great quotes from the event’s speakers. It’s okay to even take a picture of the speaker’s slides if you can’t type fast enough. Hint: The trick to catching a good quote this is to switch to the laptop version if you type a lot faster.
Of course, don’t forget to tag in the speaker and add the event hashtag. Try to leave 10-15 characters for retweeting.
Tip 7. Take pictures of the sponsors and get quotes from them. Sometimes they have some great things to say. Also, as a blogger, you could utilize it to build a good relationship with a brand that will be willing to work with you in the future. (Don’t forget to hashtag.)
Tip 8. Do take pictures of all event related parties (pre-event, after party), and include them into the event’s stream. This allows for a more complete view on what’s going on.
Tip 9. Do a follow up event post of the event. You can embed some tweets, use Twitter to recover some of your own tweets, and do a more thorough write up of the event. And yes, once again, don’t forget to use the event hashtag so anyone else that is following up on the event, will be able to see your recap.
These are what work for me during events, and while it’s not my goal to dominate the event’s hashtag, I usually do because I want my followers to experience as much as they are interested in experiencing.
I hope these tips help you too.
Have you been using Twitter during a conference or special event? How did you rock Twitter during a conference?
This is good things what you have shared here for rocking twitter during a conference and thanks a lot for sharing with us.
Regards
Rama Krishna
Hi Nile, I’ve really enjoyed reading this post. Your tips for working with twitter are refreshingly different to the same old stale advice that so many people serve up. I especially like your idea “Try to catch great quotes”. Thanks for providing such an interesting way to approach twitter.
I like twitter, but from blogging point of view I always failed to get good response from twitter.
Hi Dhruv! A lot of times not getting a good response from Twitter is because you’re not using it like it should. It is a social network, so you have to engage in conversation with people, not just throw your own content at a wall.
Thanks for the information Nile, as far as my experience Facebook gives results than Twitter!