The use of social media as a marketing tool for your event.

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

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

3. 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/

5. Social Media is a Conversation between actual HUMANS!

6. Tell your Story and people will listen

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

8. It’s all about a balanced approach

9. Cost-effective and far-reaching tools
•Facebook = $0
•MySpace = $0
•Wordpress = $0
•Twitter = $0
•YouTube = $0
•Ning = $0

10. (Incredibly) Low barrier to entry

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

12. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jfchenier/76721307/
(remember, it’s all about the Story)

13. Blogs: Community Building through Social tools
Jumping into the Blogosphere
• Your online home base
•Position your brand
• Share brain candy
• Promote others

14. Blogs: Community Building through Social tools
Customizable Blog templates to match your Brand

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

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

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

18. 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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools
Why you should care about Facebook
230 ‘yes’
348 ‘maybe’
Bill Erickson :)
www.billerickson.net
670 members

24. Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools
MySpace = meh...
Main: www.myspace.com
Houston musician Andrew Karnavas: www.myspace.com/andrewkarnavas

25. 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

26. Social Networks: Community Building through Social tools
Behold, Slideshare!!!
www.slideshare.net/happykatie

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

28. Step 1:
Start Listening

29. 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

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

31. Step 2:
Set up your
response + promotion vehicles

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

33. 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!

34. 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.

35. Step 3:
Start spreading the news...

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

37. 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/

38. 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!!!!

39. 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

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

41. 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

42. 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

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

44. 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/

45. 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

46. Your Homework

47. 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)

48. 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/