# How to make the most of social media for the IoF National Convention

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/07/03/how-make-most-social-media-iof-national-convention/
- Published: 2011-07-03T18:47:12+01:00
- Author: Sylwia Korsak

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/smcprogramme.jpg)

Increasingly social media becomes crucial element of event coverage. So how do we
make the most of the events we are attending? Howard Lake will be presenting on 
the topic during Voice Social Media Clinic at the Convention, but before the event
kicks off, we would like to encourage you to take part in social media coverage 
of the event – both from the venue, as well as remotely. 

As an attendee first of all we need to get used to Twitter. Twitter’s real-time 
nature is really effective for reporting. The tool has currently numerous applications
to manage the noise and valuable content, as well as relationships. Many of those
allow translation, url shortening, even scheduling of teets (something we do not
encourage, but in some instances might come handy too). Set up Twitter client on
your phone, laptop, tablet or any other device you are taking to the event. Find
out the event hashtag (#iofnc) or – if there isn’t any – suggest one and register
it on Tagal.us yourself. Add it as a column to your Twitter client to follow it 
easily and it’s all done! Then all you need to do is…talk! 🙂

**Do not forget about blogs!** Use the event hashtag to post your longer texts on
a blog – if you do not have one, it takes a second to set up a Posterous or Tumblr
one!

## Advertisement

**Take pictures!** Prepare a Flickr account and connect with event attendees, speakers,
even the organisers. Ask them if they have a Flickr group to collect photos related
to the event. Use event hashtag when you upload your photos – not only because it’s
the way we all do it, but because this way your photos and your personal brand will
be promoted together with all the discussions from the event. So really it is in
your interest to join the contribute;) But do not forget that you can take photos
and share them on Twitter directly – which might save you time. Check out Hipstamatic
and Instagram for instance. And if you want to impress your fellow attendees, download
free editing apps to your mobile too.

**There is also the most powerful content ever: video.** You can record videos with
many digital cameras for example. This way you do not need to carry more than two
devices. You can use plenty video making and editing applications on your phone.
Try using regular video making software or free version of Animoto, which will then
allow you to upload your creative content on-line from your phone. It really takes
a few clicks, but do check with other attendees if they are happy to be featured
on-line.

**Livestreaming is a really attractive way to document your event experiences**,
specially for the sake of your friends who sometimes cannot join you but would benefit
from the content. Try out Qik or Bambuser for iPhone – they are really nicely integrated
with other social media channels like Twitter and Facebook. You can even embed ready
widgets into your blog or website to feature your recordings.

All this is possible with audio applications like Audioboo and iPadio, so if you
want to have a chat with speakers and they agree to be recorded live, it’s your 
best chance for great notes and once again sharable content.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities you can make the most of your 
own event attendance. On the top of that we are sure that your event organisers 
will gradually move into social media platforms to aggregate your content and provide
you with many opportunities to share and network around your notes and experiences.
Talk to them on-line and see how they can make the event even better experience 
for you and your networks!

And if you are not attending but wish to take active part in the National Convention
do follow the event hashtag **#iofnc** and contribute to the discussions, reactions
and feedback. We hope to see you there or on Twitter with us!