Association Meetings

Tweeting At Conferences And Events: The Good, The Better, The Best

What am I reading today?

Today I am reading many of the blogs and twitter streams coming from the PCMA’s 2010 54th Convening Leaders Conference in Dallas Texas.  Many of my meeting and event planner colleagues are in attendance sharing their experiences. 

One that I would like to share is from Jeff Hurt on the topic of Twitter.  For those of us who actively use Twitter we truly appreciate those who "get it"; those who tweet with value! To post a message in 140 characters or less does take some thought.  To create a message that shares information, resources, content in a meaningful way takes practice.

Jeff shares several examples of the good, better and best approach to tweeting during events - 

Tweeting At Conferences And Events: The Good, The Better, The Best

Thanks Jeff ... Looking forward to more great Tweets from the conference!

9 Ways to Find Association Member Twitter Users

What am I reading today?

Cindy Butt of "AE on the Verge" blogpost on: 

9 Ways to Find Association Member Twitter Users

I would like to add a 10th way!  When you see members follow you, look to see who they follow!  Often you will find names of those your recognize.  While this may be time consuming, in the end it is worth the connection.

Other ideas?

WEC09 ... Engage me please!

Tonight many of my meeting planner colleagues are enjoying a night of socializing at the WEC Meeting in Salt Lake City.  I would really love to join them; however I am in the middle of a client meeting in Cleveland, Ohio.

One of the ways that I can participate with my fellow colleagues is to interact with the Twitter stream.  I am however finding this process somewhat frustrating.  While so many individuals are using the medium to communicate about the conference, many are not providing value.  While I do enjoy hearing that everyone is having a good time, I would like to see more tweets like:  RT @Knot_Exactly @DrAmyVanderbilt @ #WEC09 The new paradigm of leadership is about being authentic, inclusive, respectful, and a listener.

This tweet provided thoughtful insights to what was heard and experienced.  It also lead to a conversation about how this is different now as from the past. 

So my fellow tweeters at WEC09, before you hit that "send" button ... help engage others in the conversation!  Provide us with thoughtful content that gets us thinking, talking, sharing and growing as meeting and event planners.

I promise the process works!

I also want to know that you are having a good time ... as I know I am missing out on a good party.

Using Twitter During Events ...

During events I like to see the Twitter stream on display so that I can follow.  This practice also shows participants the value of the application in sharing information.  There are many ways in which the stream can be broadcast to make it a bit more engaging rather than just a listing of text.

After reading this blog post 5 Ways to Visualize Twitter at Events I agree!  Visible Tweets is the cleanest most engaging way to display the Twitter stream.

What do you think?

The Social Media Puzzle ... how the pieces all fit

Often I am asked to explain WHY I spend so much of my time "playing" with the various social media tools that are now available.  Many do not understand why posting on the wall of a colleague in Facebook has a benefit to my "business." Or how sending out Tweets can lead to clients.  There are many people who have blogged on this topic, but I came across this YouTube video that gives the puzzle a new look.

The Real Value of Twitter

I am a huge fan of Twitter as I see it's value in providing information and valuable resources.  While the original purpose of the application was to share "what am I doing right now"  it has moved into a far different purpose.  One that when used correctly can only continue to grow!

One of my favorite blogs - AriWriter wrote about how Twitter can be used in the post, "Learning from Conversations."  Check it out!

If you are not following me on Twitter, please do ... Follow Julie

Twitter ... From the Presenter's Perspective

Over the past few posts I have discussed the use of Twitter in a variety of ways while attending conferences or meetings.  I've addressed how the attendee may benefit as well as the conference organizers.  What about the presenter themselves?  Recently at a workshop I attended, I was recognized by the Presenter as one the "tweeting" people in the room and she asked me to be "nice while tweeting."  This got me thinking about Twitter from the presenters point of view, but before I had my thoughts on paper the following post was published and gave a very good perspective.  I highly recommend the read ....

How to Present While People are Twittering | Pistachio

If you would like a review of my thoughts on Twitter use by Attendees or Event Organizers ... check out these short videos.  Yes we had fun making these videos ...

The Use of Twitter by Meeting Attendees:

The Use of Twitter by Meeting Organizers:

Twitter ... Keeping it under control

As you continue to work with Twitter you quickly realize that you are going to need some additional help to keep it all under control!  I've looked at many of the applications that are currently available for the PC and thought I would share. 

The tools that I am currently using:

1)  Hands down Number 1 application for Twitter is Tweetdeck!  While many use the application Twirl - I prefer Tweetdeck which allows you to manage your tweets by groups.  This makes viewing your tweet stream much more manageable. My Tweetdeck is currently broken down into 5 groups (other then ALL, DM, and replies). 

2) TweetLater - this application does exactly what you think!  It allows you to store tweets for later delivery.  I like this application because you can combine multiple Twitter accounts into one place.  TweetLater also sets up direct DMs and follower messages for new followers.

3) Twilert- Create automatic email alerts based on specific search terms.  Use the application to search for tweets about you, your company, or a topic you want to learn more about.

4) MyTweeple - Keeping track of who is following you and who you are following can become difficult.  MyTweeple makes it easy!  This application shows the follower profile and whether it is mutual.  It's a great tool for "weeding" out followers.

5) Twellow - Yellow pages for Twitter!  I am constantly searching Twellow for new folks to follow.  This application allows for a more useful search of user profiles.

6) Twitterholic - Great user ranking application.

7) TweetStats - Another great stats tool that gives you feedback on your tweeting patterns.

8) Twitter-Friends - Statistical analysis of you and your followers.  Lets you know who you are actually having conversations with!

9) TweetBackUp - This application allows you to quickly backup your Twitter follower listing and export to Excel.  The exported file also includes all of the profile information.

10) Twitpic - Application for sharing pictures directly to Twitter.

Still trying to understand Twitter?  Maybe this quick video will help ...

They are talking about you .... are you listening?

Whether you want to accept it or not, your attendees are talking about your event on the "back channel" called Twitter.  As Association Planners we need to be aware of this conversation and join in! 

As your attendees are preparing to attend your meeting, they are sharing their plans with followers even if it is just to let them know why they will be out of the office for a few days.  Other attendees will use the opportunity to talk more about what they are doing and why. As an attendee a few weeks ago at MeetDifferent, I did just that.  I let my followers on Twitter know that I was headed to Atlanta for a meeting. I was immediately asked why I was going and what kind of meeting. What a great opportunity for me to share.  This also showed my clients that I am serious about my own personal and professional development.  As a planner we want to encourage such conversations!

We also need to continue the conversation on-site. The back channel is giving us IMMEDIATE feedback as to the success or failure of our event.  Thus giving us the opportunity to respond immediately.  If attendees are in a session and are "tweeting" about the temperature of the room, or the sound quality - we can quickly make adjustments.  If you see in the Twitter feed that attendees are having trouble finding certain rooms or locations, you can quickly add signage.  All of which add to the quality of your meeting.  

As a planner you can also use Twitter to communicate with the attendees regarding the meeting.  Send out Tweets as reminders of special events or maybe room changes.  While at the event you can send out "Did you Know ..." messages that again allow you to engage in a more effective conversation.

In my opinion Twitter or other similar means of instant communication is here to stay and as Association Planners we need to join the conversation.

Why Twitter at a Meeting or Conference???

Image via Wikipedia

Over the past couple of weeks I truly have come to understand the VALUE of Twitter.  So many people have told me that Twitter is nothing more than a time drain, sharing trivial bits of information that no one really cares about anyway. WRONG!

For right now I just want to focus on the use of Twitter at or during a meeting or conference for the attendees.  I see this application providing value for three different audiences.  You, me and them.

Them - those who could not attend the event.  By following the Twitter stream of those in attendance they are able to participate from their home location.  They can ask questions of the presenters or request a further explanation from the attendees.  At a recent event I attended, those following were "fact checking" the materials presented allowing for clarification.  What a great way to provide value to your association member who could not attend and keep them engaged in the conversation.

You - those in attendance.  Have you ever tried to attend multiple sessions at the same time?? Until Twitter, I found this to be an impossible mission.  However, when you have individuals who are "Tweeting" a session, you can follow along just like those who are not in attendance.  Tweeple (those who Twitter) were also able to network in a more meaningful way as they shared a common interest - the use of Twitter as a valuable resource. 

Me - what value did Twitter provide to me?  For one, I personally retained a lot more of the information presented  as I found myself paying much closer attention.  If I was going to "share" with my fellow colleagues, I better have my facts straight!  I also felt the need to send information of "value" not just that the room was cold, the food tasted terrible or that I couldn't hear the speaker.  The experience was similar to that of taking notes, except that my notes were shared with a couple of thousand people.

Will I Twitter at a future meeting?  You bet ...

Was Twitter valuable to the presenters and event planners?  More on that later ....