Social media is now one of the most important tools planners and marketers can use to disseminate information about events and meetings, interact with attendees, solicit feedback, and create year-round engagement with a target audience. But its rise to prominence has prompted questions about how to effectively employ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other such sites before, during, and after live gatherings. Here’s a look at new strategies, tools, and tips from across the event and meeting industry.
Google Maps
If your event involves multiple venues or a city that is away from home for your attendees, consider creating a custom Google map as a visual guide of useful places and addresses. For people that have concerns about the area, especially looking for the right hotel, this can be a great resource.
Facebook Events
Facebook offers an “invite your friends” feature that is one of the easiest share opportunities online. Consider making your Facebook event stand out by marketing a chat or livestream of the event instead of the event itself. This allows people that may not be attending the physical event to participate in the invite process and promote for you.
Ustream
Livestreaming of events is becoming more and more common, and streaming your content for free is a great marketing tool. But Ustream and other livestreaming services (Justin.tv, Livestream.com) are more than just video feeds. You can use them to do things like interview speakers beforehand to generate buzz, and emphasize the chat features that take advantage of Twitter and Facebook, sending their interactions with your content to their networks.
Youtube
Of all of these visual social media toolsYoutube can be particularly effective. At the time of writing, Youtube is owned by Google and it stands to reason that a video on their own platform will naturally trump a video placed elsewhere.
In other words, a video placed on Youtube and linked back to your special event blog or website performs well in a Google search for your event.
Slideshare
A platform where you can upload presentation files to be viewed privately or publically. Ideal for sharing your event’s PowerPoint presentations for example.
Even if you decide to hire a social media expert to promote your special event, it’s a good idea to have working knowledge of how to use social media next time you plan an event. For the rest planning you can always count on Mariturs experience, contact us to get a quote.
