Recap of My Recent Presentation to Meeting Professionals

I was the co-presenter (with Cynthia Moxley) for a social media 101 session at the recent industry day event of the Meeting Professionals International Tennessee Chapter and the East Tennessee Meeting Professionals. After reading an article in USA Today just prior to the presentation, we decided to change the format to be very informal and all about the CONVERSATION. Novel idea, eh?

A presentation had been prepared (you can find it on my Facebook SlideShare page) and it was projected on the screen but we didn't follow the script. Instead we just let the attendees start the conversation. If something could be illustrated via the slide show, we simply clicked through until what was needed was found.

Some of the things that were discussed:

• The vast majority of customer feedback is positive but the negatives are being referred to as "a tidal wave of whispers."
• If you do not have a social media presence, someone else will make one for you. It might not always be positive.
• For an organization to have a positive social media experience, goals must be defined, social media outlets must be updated on a frequent basis, and all who are involved must have a commitment to answer questions/concerns.
• Negative comments are not always a bad thing. It is all in how you address them.
• Utilize your Facebook events tab to promote your meetings and generate buzz.
• The hashtag is probably the single-most successful (and necessary) item to promote your events using Twitter.
• If your organization is involved in a volatile issue, be prepared to make honest statements and treat detractors with respect. (See previous blog entry regarding Nestle.)
• Be careful what you put out there via social media, especially with your personal information. Potential employers, criminals and friends-of-friends are watching.