How to leverage
Social Media the Internet
for Event Planners for your events
(and have fun doing it)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/2472230611/in/set-72157604937275376/
Mastering the art of online Communicating, Community building and Playing

What we’ll talk about
•Social Media tools
•The online event cycle
•5 things you can do
today
Find this presentation:
www.slideshare.net/happykatie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64251830@N00/351876663/

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)

Blogs: Community Building through Social tools
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 Brand

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

Mom 2.0 Summit - conversational promotion
www.mom2summit.com/blog

Blogs: Community Building through Social tools
Blog bling: You DO need those ‘Stinkin’ Badges’
(Make your brand portable)

Micro-Blogs: Community Building through Social tools
Twitter includes others in ongoing dialogue
Main: www.twitter.com
Event Marketer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SimonFord
www.twitzu.com

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

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools
YouTube - Harness the power of P2P discussion
http://www.youtube.com/user/PlanYourMeetings

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools
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
230 ‘yes’
348 ‘maybe’
Bill Erickson :)
www.billerickson.net
670 members

Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools
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

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

Step 1:
Start Listening

Step 1: Start listening!
What are people saying to/about you?
www.technorati.com/watchlist
Powerful Social Media search engine
watches for your terms and updates
you
www.google.com/alerts
Email updates for your company
name and keywords
http://search.twitter.com
Search for what you care about
on Twitter

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

Step 2:
Set up your
response + promotion vehicles

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

Step 2: Set up your response + promotion vehicles
Beef up your Personal Brand
• 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) Happykatie!

Step 2: Set up your response + promotion vehicles
Poll your company or hire a savvy intern
You are a Digital Immigrant. ?
You could use a Digital Native.

Step 3:
Start spreading the news...

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

Step 3: Start spreading the news
Keep it Consistent and Connected
• Tie it all in together
• Put your SM links in your email footer
• Re-purpose your content
• BADGES!!!
www.flickr.com/photos/53203629@N00/3173463874/

Step 3: Start spreading the news
Stay pro-active and responsive
Power to the People
• 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!!!!

Step 3: Start spreading the news
Interact, poll and play with your Community
www.polleverywhere.com
www.intensedebate.com
www.chipin.com
www.polldaddy.com

Step 4:
Update as the action happens
(What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a-happenin’)

Step 4: Update as the action happens!
Make them feel like they’re there (even if they aren’t)
Vimeo
video site
www.vimeo.com
Flip video camera
www.theflip.com
3,070 photos and videos

Step 4: Update as the action happens!
Find your rock stars and let them help you
1,669 words of live Blogging
(in only one post)
www.happykatie.com

Step 5:
Follow up fun time
(interaction, interaction, interaction)

Step 5: Follow up fun time! (interaction, interaction, interaction)
Tie it all together and keep the Buzz going
• 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
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
53611153@N00/2602728681/

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

Thanks for participating - see you online :)
Katie Laird // Strategic Advisor
Schipul - The Web Marketing Company
www.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
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66125582@N00/457743309/