This document provides 10 steps for conducting a successful Google Hangouts discussion: 1) Choose a good, focused topic of general interest; 2) Invite knowledgeable participants who are good speakers; 3) Choose a moderator familiar with the topic who can manage discussion; 4) Choose an appropriate date/time; 5) Write a script and schedule questions; 6) Promote the event in advance; 7) Hold a rehearsal to test equipment; 8) Go live and engage the audience on social media; 9) Thank participants and share a recording after; 10) Continue promoting the recording to extend its reach.

1. + Hangouts
Based on best practices
of 3 Google Hangouts around Rio+20

2. WHAT IS A GOOGLE+ HANGOUT?
DEFINITION:
A free video chat service from
Google that enables both
one-on-one chats and group
chats with up to ten people at a
time.

3. WHY A DISCUSSION?
 People around the world
 Who want to share their thoughts and
knowledge
 And discuss about it with others
 At a very low cost
 and keep this discussion recorded for
later

4. 10 STEPS
To make your
Google+ Hangout
A SUCCESS

5. 1. CHOOSE A GOOD TOPIC
 Focused
 Emotional
 Of general interest
 Relevant for a 20-40 years old audience
 If possible event-related
 Choose a challenging title
can be a question like:
“Does youth really care about Rio+20?”

6. 2. CHOOSE THE PARTICIPANTS
 Up to 9 people can join a Hangout
 7 billion people can watch it, live or delayed
 Invite a celebrity
(high-level UN, show biz, Nobel)
 Choose participants who
 Have a special link to the subject
(experts, witnesses)
 Are good speakers
 Are ready to share and ask questions
 Can answer live questions on-the-spot

7. 3. CHOOSE A MODERATOR
A good moderator should:
Know the subject/topic
Have discussed with the participants before
Be dynamic, speak clearly and shortly
Be able to manage the unexpected
Encourage the discussion among the
participants

8. 4. CHOOSE A DATE/TIME
 There is no ideal time -> but it is recorded!
 Know where your main audience will be
 Consider the age of your audience
 Consider promoting the Hangout the days before
 45 minutes of Hangout =
 2 hours of availability for the participants
(incl. testing, off-air briefing)
 3 hours on day D for the organizers
 1-2 weeks of preparation in advance (part-time)

9. 5. WRITE A SCRIPT
 Schedule all activities from setup to the end
 Schedule everyone’s interventions
 Questions from moderator: 30’’ max
 Answers from participants: 2’30’’ max
 Insert prepared questions in the script
 Allow time for questions coming live
 Don’t be too harsh if the discussion goes
smoothly

10. 6. SHARE INFORMATION
 Give the Hangout a title (may be a question)
 Write a description:
 Tell the world why you want those people to meet
 Present the participants (name, position, etc)
 Inform your network in time to ensure
promotion
 Make a short promo video with the guest
star

11. 7. ORGANIZE A REHEARSAL
 The day before
 With all participants
 Go through the script with them
 Ensure they’re ok to answer the proposed
questions
 Check everyone’s equipment/background/light
 Go live for 3 minutes to see how it looks
 Delete the test from your account

12. 8. GO LIVE!
Just before:
Post the description and name/position of
participants on the Google+ page
Start the Hangout about 30 minutes before going
“on air” to allow anyone to join and relax
Promote the link and time of the “on air”
Take some pictures to post on social media

13. 8. GO LIVE!
During the Hangout:
Check that the screen is following the speaker
Live tweet
Monitor questions coming from the social media
Communicate with participants through the chat
Keep your timing, don’t go over 45’!

14. 9. RELAX
 Share the link on the social media channels
“you missed it? ….”
 Storify the Hangout with the tweets and other
posts
 Thank the people who shared and tweeted and of
course the participants

15. 10. RECYCLE
 Some people may discover the Hangout later
 Continue promoting it in the following days,
in your newsletters, make a website story
about it, etc.
 Edit the best quotes and make it a separate
video
 Check the # views regularly and re-promote it
whenever relevant

16. Good luck!
brigitte@upwelling.net
+1-347-449-2656
@uPwelling