By Caitlin Zucal.
Unlike any previous technology, social media has transformed the way we communicate. Today, our society is completely wired, making it easier than ever before to stay connected to family, friends, customers and colleagues.
The financial services industry has adapted to modern communications, with many savvy advisors using social media channels, such as Twitter, LinkedIn and blogs, to communicate with clients, generate leads and meet prospects. This has also revolutionized the conference experience. For the first time, attendee participation is not only happening around us physically, but digitally. The conference experience footprint has grown by leaps and bounds, giving those attending the opportunity to accelerate their networking, form lasting relationships and strengthen their expertise.
Whether you are a seasoned social veteran or a previously wary attendee looking to finally embark on a social media experience, here are five reasons to go social during your time at industry conferences.
1. Make the Most of Your Conference Experience
Whether your goal is to create new business relationships, connect with fellow thought leaders or make new friends, conference networking is key to making the most out of your conference experience. By incorporating social media into your day, tweeting on relevant industry topics or sharing your thoughts on keynote sessions and panels, you are immersing yourself in the digital conversation. Or, enhance your conference experience by learning new ways to build your influence and share content online.
2. Connect with Fellow Attendees
Social media is the perfect place for everyone to get involved. Conversations are constant – especially on Twitter. Attendees can interact with not only those around them, but thought leaders and friends who aren’t physically at the conference by incorporating conference hashtags into their messages. For example, at this year’s RegEd Compliance Alliance Conference, attendees were invited attendees to use the hashtag, #RCA2014, when tweeting back and forth with others. This was a great way to follow the conversation and engage with industry thought leaders and colleagues.
3. Transform Work into Fun
Social media is all about engagement – but it’s also about having fun. Remember to take the opportunity to not only learn something new and share ideas, but to also create a lasting experience. Follow conference hashtags and spark discussions with new people. Chime in on your point of view when attending conference sessions. Share photos of your conference memories on Facebook and Pinterest. Discover fresh ways to share what’s going on at the conference with your online audience, such as a Vine video. The possibilities to interact with others, while taking advantage of social media, are endless.
4. Never Miss a Beat
By maintaining an active presence on social, attendees can stay up-to-date on what’s happening in every session. With hundreds of tweets being sent every minute, think of social media as a way to be everywhere at once, whether that’s in a conference session or keynote presentation.
5. Continue the Conversation
Before social media, staying in touch at conferences involved exchanging business cards and following up with a few people weeks later. Today, conferences offer you the chance to connect with others instantly while easily staying in touch on social media long after the event. Establishing connections at an industry conference, and then continuing the conversations online, cultivates lasting relationships, thought leadership, business deals and partnerships.
@reged
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