Four Ways to Use Social Media at Conferences

By Jade Smith | May 30, 2017

Social media has become one of the best ways to gain visibility in front of the audiences that matter. It has also shaped into a tool that helps professionals build and establish their personal brands online.

You know the benefits, especially the social media benefits for your business. But where do you start? How do you join the party, already in progress?

Some of the best places to begin your foray into the realm of social media are at industry conferences and events. These large groups of people can make it easy to jump into an already thriving, growing conversation.

Here are 4 ways you can make your start in social:

1. Use the hashtag

One great way to get involved in the online conversation around a conference is by using hashtags. In a nutshell, hashtags are tags that make it easier for users to find information on a specific theme or topic. Hashtags act as live links to compile all messages, media, and content relevant to a specific phrase or keyword. Simply put the “#” sign in front of any word or phrase (no spaces!) and publish away. For example, the #Multifamily hashtag on Twitter is a budding stream of content related to the multifamily apartment market and the latest in industry news.

Excited to learn how “Gen Z” is influencing technology and changing the student housing market! It’s a great time to meet industry insiders and vendors at #naashc17 📚#naastudentconf #work4rp #realpage #chicago #saas #software #studenthousing #realestate #propertymanagement

A post shared by Andrea (@andrea_marie217) on Feb 14, 2017 at 12:42pm PST

In the case of the annual NAA conference, their hashtag is #NAAEdu17. If you’re looking to join in the conference conversation, find out the conference hashtag and start adding it to your posts. Hashtags can be used on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and LinkedIn. If you have trouble tracking it down, check out the official conference social media outlets, as they’ll most likely be using it as well.

2. Add to the conversation

What sets you apart? Whether you’re a speaker or an attendee, remember you’ve got a unique perspective on things. Use social to share your thoughts about sessions or sound bites that made an impression on you. Give those not attending the conference a play-by-play with your on-the-ground updates at the event.

Just wrapped up putting on a 3 hr #socialmedia workshop at the #multifamilysms2017! Social Media + Napa Wine = Heaven! 🍷 pic.twitter.com/aVioEQOFpF

— Erica Campbell Byrum (@ericacampbell) February 2, 2017

 

Whether you’re taking in special sights, enjoying local dining, or just relaxing, this activity can add value to the larger conference conversation.

3. Sharing is caring

Be generous! In the world of social media, sharing is truly caring.

When you come across a message that resonates with you, share it on your personal social channels with your audience. Use tagging and @-mentioning features to give shout outs to the original content creators.

The NAA Excellence Awards (formerly known as Paragon Awards). This is a big day for all these winners! #NAAEduConf pic.twitter.com/vNqzo0wX2X

— Pete Regules (@PeteRegules) June 18, 2016

Doing this not only amplifies the reach of the original content, getting more eyes on it, but it also has the potential to position you as a thought-leader in your industry. You’ll also be able to curate a feed of industry news, articles, and media you can reference again if needed.

You’ll find interacting with other social media users with likes, retweets, shares, will also encourage others to reciprocate and do the same.

4. Don’t sweat the small stuff

It can be fun engaging with others with similar passions and interests, so don’t overthink it. Don’t like something about your post? Don’t be afraid to delete! You can always make another post.

Had an awesome time at #RWConf2016 👏🏼

A photo posted by Ashley Chimal (@chimstagram) on Jul 19, 2016 at 4:41pm PDT

Facebook and Instagram even give you the power to edit posts, so you can always go back and make any changes you see fit. Social media is another place for people to connect and network together, and form real bonds and friendships.

Good times in SFO this week at the #NAAEduConf – I busted out of Alcatraz & heading home now! #SFO #travel pic.twitter.com/Pm2JOUAhQv

— Russ Webb (@RussWebbGA) June 18, 2016

With the beauty of social media, the conversation lives on after the event is over, leaving everyone with great takeaways and insights. Because social media continues to be an evolving medium, you get better with practice. Personally, I’ll be putting these tips into practice this July at #RWVegas17 in Las Vegas.

So get to sharing! Make those moments into memories.

(Editor’s note- we have updated and republished this article to benefit readers new to Property Management Insider).