The document outlines the planning and execution of NASA's #nasatweetups, in-person gatherings designed to engage NASA followers and build a community of advocates. It details steps for successful planning, participant selection, and event management, while encouraging interaction and feedback to enhance future events. The ultimate goal is to foster a shared community experience among participants, creating lasting connections with the NASA brand.

1. Creating a Community: #NASATweetups National Aeronautics and Space Administration Stephanie Schierholz, Office of Communications http://www.nasa.gov/tweetup

2. Stephanie L. Schierholz Social Media Manager, NASA Headquarters @NASA @NASATweetup @schierholz National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ connect

3. First Tweets from Space National Aeronautics and Space Administration Tweeting from space now: @AstroCoastie @Astro_Pettit @Astro_Andre

4. NASA Social Media Today National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ connect

5. What is a #NASATweetup? An in-person gathering of @NASA followers. Range from two hours to two days in length. National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

6. How does a Tweetup Help NASA? Spread the word as widely as possible by going directly to the public to tell our own story More “traditional” news coverage… … in more places Diversity of audiences Building a community of advocates Worldwide in person AND virtual participation ENGAGEMENT National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ connect

7. Successful Tweetups are special and memorable Provide unique or exclusive: Information Speakers Access Setting National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

8. Tweetup Planning 12 weeks before: begin planning meetings to identify a date and time, theme, venue, etc. 10 weeks before: Draft news release, web page, agenda; review logistics requirements 9 weeks before: Announce tweetup 8 weeks before: Open registration 7 weeks before: 1st round selection notifications 5 weeks/30 days before: Finalize list of non-US citizen participants National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

9. Number of participants (buzz, exclusivity, opportunity to build community) Type of event Length of event Location of event Who is going to speak? Can you provide a tour of some sort? Will you invite non-U.S. citizens? Minors? What Will Your Tweetup Look Like? National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

10. Successful Tweetups Rock Logistics How many people will the room accommodate? Tables and chairs Power WiFi Audio Refreshments? National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

11. Making a Tweetup Agenda Senior level manager Social media team representative Subject matter expert(s) Participant introductions Breaks and time to share Can you provide a tour or go behind the scenes? National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

12. Tweetup Participants Requirements (following your account, level of activity, age, citizenship?) Will you allow a guest? If so, is there an age requirement for the guest? Must guests have a Twitter account? Be sure to include guests in your final count Guest pros and cons National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

13. Announcing the Tweetup Give time for the buzz to build - announce ahead of when registration will open (1 week) News release/media advisory + Twitter Have an online FAQ page with more info Post to all your social channels regularly to remind people registration is coming Reach out to key influencers to ensure they see the announcement National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

14. Tweetup FAQ page When is registration and what is required? Who can register? When is the event? What is the event? What does registration include/not include? When will registrants be notified? National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

15. Tweetup Registration Online registration OMB-approved form: first and last name, Twitter handle, email and citizenship Optional fields: age, city, state, accounts followed Confirmation the registration went through (recommend email vs web page) Keep registration open for a set period of time instead of first come, first serve (monitor Twitter!) Check boxes to ensure they agree to certain things National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

16. Tweetup Registration Form *First Name: City: *Last Name: State: *Twitter Account: Age: * Your Email Address: *Citizenship: Favorite NASA twitter accounts (ex. @NASA, etc.): Do you need any special accommodations? I acknowledge registration is for one person only, is non-transferrable, and that NASA cannot accommodate guests. I confirm I am 18 years old or older. * Denotes mandatory field National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

17. Tweetup Participant Selection Random or not? Proprietary selection process Did you stipulate any requirements? Ensure they meet the requirement. Remove those who do not. Will you allow prior participants to re-apply for future events? National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

18. Tweetup Participant Notifications Everyone who registered should be notified: selected, not selected, on the waiting list We require those selected to reply to confirm their intent to participate; after confirmation, they receive a second email with additional information and instructions Our waiting list is about the same number as those selected Sometimes we have a standby list of people who have cleared security and can fill a spot with little notice Create a Twitter list of participants Send the agenda and details about one week in advance Create a list serve for easy communication National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

19. Enable the Conversation Designate a hashtag like #NASATweetup Do you want the same hashtag for future events, or a separate one for each event? Plan to capture all the hashtag traffic? Set it up in advance Q&A National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

20. Introduce Tweetup Participants Let them write their own intros to tweet Online interaction (e.g. Facebook groups) When you get on site, in person introductions National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

21. On-Site Tweetup Tips Create a staffing schedule and contact information for the team Our most intense time is registration and check in and getting everyone online Be prepared to troubleshoot Build in free time in the agenda National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweeetup

22. Remote Participation Encourage use of the hashtag; can you create a discussion landing page? Can you broadcast the event or a portion of it? If not, can you record it to post later? If you Ustream, do you take questions from Ustream? National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

23. Tweetup Coverage Media release announcement and a news release about those selected and what they will get to experience (encourage participants to pitch their local press) Engage with key influencers on related social media platforms Video, webstream, photos Real time posting to social media National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweeetup

24. Badges of Tweetup Success Create name badges Banners and backdrops Tweetup programs Swag bags National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

25. Measuring Tweetup Success What was your goal? Did you reach it? Number and reach of tweets Stories in “traditional” press Did the opinions of your attendees change? Is there an action participants can take? How do you continue the conversation? Get feedback to improve next time; experiment with what works National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ tweetup

26. Beyond Numbers: Moving people from… National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ connect

27. Foster the community National Aeronautics and Space Administration http://www.nasa.gov/ connect

28. But don’t own the community National Aeronautics and Space Administration

29. “ You may not have a spaceship, but your company has a fan base . They won't think of themselves as fans until they're in a room with like-minded people . They won't think of themselves as members of a community until YOU bring them together .” David Rosen, @davidhrosen (Director, Burson-Marsteller) National Aeronautics and Space Administration

30. SignOffPage Your Title Here http://www.nasa.gov/ connect