7 Ideas for Creating a Great Social Media Event
Social Media Week returns to London for a fifth year with the theme Open & Connected: Principles for a Collaborative World.
As a platform connecting people, content and conversation around emerging trends in social and mobile media, it seeks the most forward-thinking agencies, corporations, non-profits, startups and schools to submit their event ideas.
We are looking for the boldest, brightest ways to attract a crowd, so here’s a few pointers to start you off...
7 Ideas for Creating a Great Social Media Event:
1. Rip It From The Headlines
There are great potential hooks all around you – just look to the news cycle. What’s happening politically, culturally, in your industry? How is it playing out in social media? Who’s leading the conversation? Oh that’s right – you.
2. Channel-Surf
Look no further than your trusty old TV – it is, after all, the original screen. Today, we watch our favorite shows over hashtags and revisit them over endless recaps. What would you be talking about over dinner? At the bar? Talk about that. The conversation will feel engaging and authentic. (P.S. When in doubt, just talk about Homeland.)
3. Meet Your All-Stars
Who in your industry are you dying to meet? Don’t pitch them over yet another awkward coffee – invite them to join you on stage. And why stop at one? Stock your panel with the stars you and your community don’t normally have face time with.
4. Make It Servicey
People are more likely to join you if you can provide them with an ROI. Crowdsource what they want to know and then teach them.
5. Look To The Past
Forecasting is trendy and can be essential to the success of any organization, but it’s important that we also learn from the past. What are your greatest successes and failures? What case studies can you reference to underpin your point?
P.S. Everyone looks smarter talking about history. You already know how it ends.
6. Tap The Secret Power Brokers
Social media is an ever-changing landscape and it’s important to know who the outliers are. In the past it was Pinterest and middle aged-women. Who are the hidden influencers? Let your audience in on the secret – or let them tell you.
7. Discuss Dual Citizenship
It won’t be long before all of us are managing both our IRL and digital personas – and wrestling with the public/private divide. What are best practices? This can apply to virtually any areas of our lives. Go nuts.
Thinking outside the box is a surefire way to make your time at SMWLDN more memorable. Feel free to create something outside of the traditional panel format, invite your community to co-create the program, and allow yourself to take risks.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Photo (cc) Guikomel.
