A presentation I created for a client who wanted a basic training session on how to use Twitter and the real-time web around conferences. Includes benefits, and 7 steps to creating an event Twitter strategy.

1. Twitter for Events Tonia Ries Modern Media July 22, 2010

2. Agenda What can events do with Twitter? Some examples. The benefits. Your event’s Twitter strategy. The basics Do some research What to tweet Engage: make it a conversation Build the community Ways to use Twitter onsite After the event Bonus material: Some other resources to expand your network.

3. Events on Twitter Some examples. And what they’re doing right.

4. Events on Twitter http://twitter.com/DAVOS Tell us who’s tweeting Promote the hashtag Tweet valuable content

5. Events on Twitter http://twitter.com/tedtalks What’s the strategy that works for your event?

6. Events on Twitter http://twitter.com/clintonglobal It may not work out. That’s ok – we’re all learning.

7. Events on Twitter http://twitter.com/Economist_innov You’ve got to start somewhere.

8. Events on Twitter http://twitter.com/twtrcon … and there will always be more to learn.

9. The benefits of Twitter for events… in increasing order of impact Messaging Finding new prospects Customer service Listening Engaging your audience in a conversation Enabling a conversation among your audience

10. Events on Twitter http://blog.twitter.com/2010/07/2010-world-cup-global-conversation.html The largest global conversation ever.

11. 7 Steps to Building Your Event’s Twitter Strategy What to do now. What to do before, during and after your event.

12. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy. Step 1. The Basics Establish an account. Even if you don’t plan to use it. If you don’t stake out your account, someone else might.

13. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 1. The Basics Pick a name for the account. Keep it short (for RT’s!) Make it consistent with your brand Pick a hashtag for your event Short Easy to remember

14. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 2. Research & Listen How active is your audience? Speakers Attendees Sponsors Press Partners What are they talking about? The easiest way to find people on Twitter is through Google search.

16. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 4. Engage. Follow Find and follow thought leaders, speakers and prospective attendees in your target market. When someone follows your event, follow back. Tip: To find sponsorship dollars or marketing partners, engage the people who manage the Twitter account. They know where the decision makers are and often have their own budgets.

17. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 4. Engage. Make it a conversation: monitor, respond and reciprocate Use a client like Twhirl or TweetDeck to monitor Twitter for mentions of your event Reply to @ mentions and DM’s Re-tweet when appropriate Always thank people if they re-tweet you Use Twitter to get instant feedback and ideas from your community.

18. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 5. Build the Community. Speakers Notify them of the event hashtag Consider including their Twitter accounts on the web site, in conference materials and on session slides Re-tweet them where relevant Marketing Partners and Sponsors Announce their involvement Re-tweet their announcements Press Include your event’s Twitter details in press releases Make it easy for people to tweet about you! Share your influence. Your community will reciprocate. That’s how you expand your network’s reach.

19. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy. Step 5. Build the Community. Prominently share your Twitter account and hashtag on your web site Ask people for their Twitter handle when they register Consider including a Twitter feed on your web site. The feed can include: Your tweets Tweets with your hashtag Your speakers’ & partners’ tweets Tweets from key thought leaders and industry pundits Sponsorship opportunity!

20. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 6. During the Event http://www.themarthablog.com/2010/06/attending-a-twitter-conference.html Live Feed In the room On screens outside the room Bringing Twitter to the event reminds participants to tweet and increases the buzz. It can also offer more sponsorship opportunities.

21. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 6. During the Event Backchannel controversies Some tips for managing the backchannel http://www.socialtimes.com/2009/12/8-tips-for-managing-the-twitter-backchannel-during-your-presentation/ The more you engage ahead of the event, the more likely you’ll be to have your community’s support during the event.

22. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 6. During the Event TWTRCON keeps attendees plugged in for non-stop tweeting

23. Your Event’s Twitter Strategy.Step 7. After the Event Keep the conversation going. Post links to press articles and resources such as slides, videos, etc. Monitor mentions and re-tweet. Thank people. Solicit input. Keep building.

24. Bonus Material: Some additional social networking resources you can use to expand your event network.

25. Expand Your Network http://foursquare.com/venue/3388994 Set up a Foursquare venue for your event. Add some tips or specials and encourage people to check in.

26. Expand Your Network http://plancast.com/davemcclure Plancast.com let’s you share what events you’ll be attending with your network – and see who is attending what events.

27. Expand Your Network http://www.beintheroom.com/twtrcon/ BeintheRoom.com lets you list events, tracks tweets and lets people rate your event.

28. Thank You! Tonia Ries Modern Media @tonia_ries tonia@modernmediapartners.com 631-668-2697