Social Media for Event Planners - Making the Web work for your events

Making the Internet work for YOUdd

Social Media for Event Planners

How to leverage the Internetfor your events (and have fun doing it)

Mastering the art of online Communicating, Community building and Playing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/2472230611/in/set-72157604937275376/

What we’ll talk about

•Social Media tools

•The online event cycle

•5 things you can do today

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64251830@N00/351876663/

Find this presentation:www.slideshare.net/happykatie

Social Media is a Conversation between actual HUMANS!

Tell your Story and people will listen

No really...Why do I actually care about the Web?

It’s all about a balanced approach

Cost-effective and far-reaching tools

•Facebook = $0

•MySpace = $0

•Wordpress = $0

•Twitter = $0

•YouTube = $0

•Ning = $0

(Incredibly) Low barrier to entry

So let’s talk tools(this is the part where I try to turn you into geeks)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jfchenier/76721307/

(remember, it’s all about the Story)

Jumping into the Blogosphere

• Your online home base

•Position your brand

• Share brain candy

• Promote others

Blogs: Community Building through Social tools

Customizable Blog templates to match your BrandBlogs: Community Building through Social tools

Event marketers share the lovewww.eventmarketing.zvents.com // http://eventmarketing.typepad.com

Mom 2.0 Summit - conversational promotionwww.mom2summit.com/blog

Blog bling: You DO need those ‘Stinkin’ Badges’

(Make your brand portable)

Blogs: Community Building through Social tools

Twitter includes others in ongoing dialogue

Main: www.twitter.com

Event Marketer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SimonFord

Micro-Blogs: Community Building through Social tools

www.twitzu.com

Flickr - Photo sharing, networking + eye candySocial Networks: Community Building through Social tools

YouTube - Harness the power of P2P discussionSocial Networks: Community Building through Social tools

http://www.youtube.com/user/PlanYourMeetings

Facebook - Not just for college kids

•Fan pages and Groups ROCK!

•Be a leader and connector

•Create buzz for events / campaigns

•Brand exposure with Facebook ads

Main: www.facebook.com Houston Zoo on FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Houston-Zoo-Inc

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools

Your Facebook profile at a glance

• Flesh out your profile

• Be picky on who you connect with

• Re-purpose other content

• Add ALL of your Social Media links

• Be fun and interesting

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools

Why you should care about Facebook

670 members

230 ‘yes’348 ‘maybe’

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools

Bill Erickson :)www.billerickson.net

MySpace = meh...

Main: www.myspace.com

Houston musician Andrew Karnavas: www.myspace.com/andrewkarnavas

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools

Free social event promotion sites

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/ www.eventful.com

www.eventbrite.com www.facebook.com

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools

Behold, Slideshare!!!

www.slideshare.net/happykatie

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools

The Social Media Event Cycle(Draaaaaaw out your event planning magic)

Step 1:Start Listening

What are people saying to/about you?

www.google.com/alerts Email updates for your company

name and keywords

www.technorati.com/watchlist Powerful Social Media search engine watches for your terms and updates

you

http://search.twitter.com Search for what you care about

on Twitter

Step 1: Start listening!

Addictive and essential Google Reader: www.google.com/reader

Step 2:Set up your

response + promotion vehicles

Know thy audience and connect where THEY areStep 2: Set up your response + promotion vehicles

???????????? ???????????? ????????????

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Beef up your Personal BrandStep 2: Set up your response + promotion vehicles

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Happykatie!

• Keep it consistent EVERYWHERE

• Create an Avatar

• Add important links / personal brands to your email footers

• Promote your employee Personal Brands (www.schipul.com/happykatie)

Poll your company or hire a savvy internStep 2: Set up your response + promotion vehicles

????????????You are a Digital Immigrant.

You could use a Digital Native.

Step 3:Start spreading the news...

Now... do what you do best!!Step 3: Start spreading the news

www.flickr.com/photos/53203629@N00/3173463874/

Keep it Consistent and ConnectedStep 3: Start spreading the news

• Tie it all in together

• Put your SM links in your email footer

• Re-purpose your content

• BADGES!!!

Stay pro-active and responsiveStep 3: Start spreading the news

• Keep an eye on your Alerts and respond!

• Give props (with links) to vendors, volunteers and others

• Promote other events and people

• Keep it light and interesting

• FREE STUFF WORKS!!!!

Power to the People

Interact, poll and play with your Community

www.intensedebate.com

www.polldaddy.com

www.polleverywhere.com

www.chipin.com

Step 3: Start spreading the news

Step 4:Update as the action happens

(What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a-happenin’)

Make them feel like they’re there (even if they aren’t)Step 4: Update as the action happens!

Flip video camerawww.theflip.com

Vimeo video site

www.vimeo.com

3,070 photos and videos

Find your rock stars and let them help youStep 4: Update as the action happens!

1,669 words of live Blogging(in only one post)

www.happykatie.com

Step 5:Follow up fun time

(interaction, interaction, interaction)

Tie it all together and keep the Buzz goingStep 5: Follow up fun time! (interaction, interaction, interaction)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53611153@N00/2602728681/

• Follow up while the iron is still hot (the Internet moves on quickly)

• Newsletter, Blog posts, Facebook group and event postings

• Take time to thank individually (Flickr photos, Blog posts, etc.)

• Keep an eye on your alerts for new opportunities to connect

• Be creative!! Start the drumbeat for the Next Big Thing

People love pictures and fun stuff - give them thatStep 5: Follow up fun time! (interaction, interaction, interaction)

http://flickr.com/groups/sxsw08/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfn9pzgtkc0

Your Homework

5 things you can do TODAY!

1. Start listening (Google Reader + Alerts)

2. Develop your Personal Brand

3. Join Facebook (www.facebook.com)

4. Find your rich media niche + work it!

5. Recruit an internal guru (or an intern)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66125582@N00/457743309/

Thanks for participating - see you online :)

Katie Laird // Strategic AdvisorSchipul - The Web Marketing Companywww.schipul.com

Email: klaird@schipul.com Personal blog: www.happkatie.com Flickr: www.flickr.com/happykatie Twitter: www.twitter.com/happykatie

Find my presentation today!www.slideshare.net/happykatie