Event planners don’t get to choose if their event is on social media or not. Chances are your attendees will be talking about your event online and you want to see everything they’re saying – whether they’re complaining or complimenting. Here’s our guide on how to make sure you stay on top of social media.
1) Have a clear hashtag for backchannel conversation
Establish a hashtag for your attendees to use and make sure it’s clear, unique and well advertised. This makes it easier to check what people are saying on Twitter and Facebook and allows attendees to network with each other. A strong hashtag promotes your brand identity is a great way to draw attention online.
2) Plan updates in advance
With programmes like Tweetdeck and Hootsuite available, there is no excuse for not planning online updates will in advance on the event. Attendees will be asking questions online if they don’t know where something is or what time something starts; if you’re noticably being helpful online, everything will run that much smoother for everyone.
3) Be clear on what you want out of it
Everyone knows that they have to have some kind of presence online during events but it’s also important to ask yourself why you’re doing it. Are you solely tweeting PSAs or are you trying to push a certain product or service too on your hashtag. This kind of marketing with have a focussed, dedicated, and present audience and is worth being planned meticulously.
4) Establish a facebook or linked in group for delegates
This is a great feature. Not only does it help you keep everyone up to date but it also allows them to network too.
5) Remember it’s a dialogue, not a monologue
As well as keeping a clear marketing strategy in mind you have to also remember that social media is interactive. People will be tweeting and messaging at you and by responing to them helpfully you will come across as incredibly professional. Make the most of social media by talking with your delegates, not at them.