by Manon Leroux | Featured Contributor
The best way to promote an event without actually “promoting” it is by creating conversation around it. A conversation creates collaboration, reach and genuine interest in the topics itself (in this case your event).
Now the best way to create conversation on Twitter is by using #hashtags. These allow for one constant stream of tweets to be grouped together, which can be easily followed by Twitter users.
A virtual gathering really!
Before your event: For best result, it is ideal to create your #hashtag prior to starting to promote your event (but we all know nothing is perfect and this can be done at any stage really). Creating your #hashtag is not complicated, although you do want to keep it as short as possible and make as memorable as possible.
One thing you might want to do prior to committing to your event #hashtag is to check to see if anyone else is using it and this can be done using Twitter Search.
Once your #hashtag is confirmed you will want to mention it on all your event communications, digital and printed. You could use something like:
Event Twitter #hashtag make sure to follow for updates and join in the conversation!
A great tool for your attendees and speakers to join the conversation and easy to follow;
- Creating an organic buzz prior to your event,
- Drumming up interest and provoking anticipation for the event itself. Plus, this also provides attendees an opportunity to connect and create new connections (great for networking).
During your event: Have organizers and attendees use the #hashtag to spread your speaker’s content on Twitter. I personally enjoy these kinds of tweets from an event if I am not attending, getting a “live feedback” reading different perspective from attendees on what they are learning. It’s fun, engaging and provides great exposure for the events itself (a win/win for everyone).
After your event: The beauty of the #hashtag is that it lives on…your event might be over, but you can continue the conversation with the community that was created. Here are some “engagement” ideas for after your event:
- Ask your attendees for event feedback
- Highlight new connections that happen because of the event
- You can even answer some question they didn’t address during the event
- If anyone wants to create blogs around they have learned this can be shared within the #hashtag community.
The power of these real-time Twitter conversations is that they provide a snapshot of how individuals engaged in the events content and connected with one another before, during and after the event – both to promote the event brand and to engage in ongoing conversations.
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Social media manager by day, mother of two and dog lover by night, a well-dressed fashionista all the time – Manon Leroux is founder of Savvy Social Solutions, a social media manager directory helping small business owners find freelancers and social media manager attract clients.
As a serial entrepreneur, Manon brings a great deal of energy, passion and enthusiasm to every client opportunity. After years of working with companies to deliver effective and strategic social media programs she turned her focus to launching and growing Savvy Social Solutions. She works with social media managers and small business owners to understand their social media outsourcing needs, the goal of the directory is to provide a resource of credible SMM’s for small business owners. Social Media managers can help small business owners efficiently use social media marketing to build their business by creating brand awareness, building online communities, increasing audience engagement and more.
When she’s not making the social media world a better place – one “Like” at a time – Manon is trying to coral her two sons, aged 13 and 15. She benefits of more than 20 years of customer service experience: she understands the power of strong customer relations. Her professional portfolio includes multiple Fortune 500 companies.
To connect with Manon:
Via email: manon@savvysocialsolutions.com | Twitter | Facebook | Google+
