Many people start tweeting or posting once they arrive at a conference or convention. These mostly consist of messages like “I’m at the XYZ 2015 Conference. WOOT!” There’s not much value there for anyone else. This is the conference version showing us what you’re having for lunch.
A better use of social media for conferences is connecting with people before you arrive. You can create some awareness and interest for your business and services before anyone sets foot into the convention center by sharing information that is actually of value to your connections and potential connections.
My Social Geek Radio co-host Deb Evans and I recently aired an episode devoted to Social Media tips for conferences. Listen to it here and check out our list of top tips:
- Post some interesting info about the event or topics in the weeks leading up to event. Don’t wait until one week before the conference and Tweet “stop by booth 123 and see our stuff.”
- Encourage a Hashtag for the event. Connect with anyone who also uses it!
- Organize a Tweetup. Set it up on Tweetvite.com and promote that link with details across all of your social channels. Also, email the link with the invitation to your email list of potential attendees to the conference. A Tweetup may be an unintimidating way for first-timers to network.
- Create a Facebook Event for the conference or subset activities.
- Do a Google Hangout leading up to the event with other attendees and perhaps a speaker or panelist to discuss their session. Many people are interested in promoting their own session and would love the opportunity to connect before the conference.
What would you add?
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