Why should you use Twitter at your next event? It’s a great way to add technology to the conference back channeling, which is a way to showing a speaker that you acknowledge what they are saying, for example, nodding your head in agreement or saying "yes." In a conference setting, the event planner sets up a screen that displays the conference Twitter page so that the audience can add comments in real time. Their Twitter page can also be used as a live update site. I've provided links at the end of this blog to show examples of how different conferences are using Twitter.
Maybe I should start with what exactly is Twitter? Twitter defines themselves as:
“Twitter is for staying in touch and keeping up with friends no matter where you are or what you’re doing. For some friends you might want instant mobile updates—for others, you can just check the web. Invite your friends to Twitter and decide how connected you want you to be.
How does Twitter work?
When you send in a mobile text (SMS), Twitter sends it out to your group of friends and posts it to your Twitter page. Your friends might not have phone alerts turned on so they may check your web page instead. Likewise, you receive your friend’s mobile updates on your phone.”
How does Twitter work in a conference setting?
Before your event: Announce your event and invite your attendees to join your official conference Twitter page. Highlight your upcoming events, and remind attendees to bring specific items, for example, “Remember to pack your sunscreen and your power cords!” The goal is to build excitement for your conference.
During your conference: Update your attendees on any last minute changes, or invite them to an impromptu gathering at a local restaurant or bar. Invite them to upload their pictures to your conference Flickr account or have them post a link to their conference related podcast or blog.
After the Conference: Thank the attendees for participating in your conference and your conference Twitter. Invite conference bloggers to supply a link to their blog. Ask them for feedback and ideas on your next conference. Invite them to post their top three conference memories. Remind them to mark next year’s conference on their calendars. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination.
Are you still reluctant to include Twitter at your next conference? Take a look on how it’s being implementing at the Web Directions South Conference in Sydney, Australia on September 25, 2007. Their Twitter address is WDS07, so you can follow their “tweets”, aka Twitter posts.
How to set up Twitter at your conference:
Redmonk.com explains it well in a four step process in their "Twitter At Conferences" article.
One more use for Twitter:
It’s recommended to invite people who can’t attend your conference to register on your Twitter site, so that they can “ease drop” on your conference. Hopefully they’ll see what they're missing, and put your next event on their calendar.
Check out the following conferences that have already implemented Twitter into their events:
Please let me know if you decide to make your next conference "come alive" with Twitter.
