Live Tweeting: 5 Tips for Using Twitter at a Conference or Event

Attend a conference these days and you’re likely to find a bigger conversation about the keynote speaker online than in the lobby.

And I’m not just talking about SXSW or a techie expo. In the past five years, there’s been an explosion in real-time coverage of all sorts of events via Facebook, blogs, and, most important, Twitter. Last fall, for example, the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly inspired nearly 6,000 tweets, covering everything from official announcements to follow-up discussions.

But quality online discourse via social media isn’t an automatic phenomenon. It will require some planning and legwork, of course, but here are some tips to help you pull off a great Twitter presence at your next event.

1. Pick a hashtag early.

Make sure your tag is specific (and not being used by other events), and start using it before the actual event to get your Followers accustomed to using it too.

2. Tell people to Tweet.

Include the hashtag in any promotional materials and post signs at your event that remind people to tweet. JFNA had signs with the hashtag on each floor, for example. You can also show off the latest tweets on TV monitors at the event by setting up TweetDeck and just searching for the hashtag.

3. Tweet often.

From your official account, tweet the day’s schedule every morning, or tweet quotes from speakers as they say them, or tweet questions, or tips, or links to press coverage — whatever you think your Followers might care to hear, tweet it.

4. Ask your speakers to tweet.

Inform all the event speakers about the hashtag so they can use it when tweeting about the event. Note that this can also be a great way to grow your overall following.

5. Save all the tweets from the conference.

Twapper Keeper, a free service, will archive tweets with a specific hashtag. Just be sure to set it up before the event.

Ryan Davis is Director of Social Media Strategy at Blue State Digital.