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If you’re wondering what you need to do before your first #HRTechConf , you need to get on Twitter.
Why?
HR Tech conference attendees use Twitter to communicate, advocate, and interpret their experience, one tweet at a time.
Last year I witnessed the Twitter frenzy in person at #HRTechConf. According to HR Marketer, “6,374 unique people/brands tweeted (original tweet or a retweet) using the #HRTechConf hashtag”.
That’s a large group of people who tweeted.
The audience gets even bigger when you consider that in addition to those nearly 6,5oo people (or brands) that tweeted something while they were at the conference, their tweets, retweets, and favorites were also seen by their followers on Twitter. Think of it that way, and the brand exposure on Twitter becomes exponential.
I don’t pretend to be a math pro, but I know enough to figure this out. If your tweet is shared by just 10 people (or brands), at least some of their followers will see that re-tweet. If each person/brand has at least 100 followers, that’s 1,000 possible views. If each person/brand has at least 500 followers, that’s 5,000 possible views. And so on.
Think of just how many people you can reach by using the #HRTechConf hashtag!
If you’re overwhelmed by the thought of all those tweets, here are four steps to get you started.
Step 1: Set up your Twitter account now (do not wait until October 18).
Set up your account. Add an image. Create a tagline. Briefly explain your purpose and link your profile to your website.
Step 2: Tweet and use the hashtag #hrtechconf
Start tweeting about what you’ll be doing at the conference and include the conference hashtag in your tweets. Share what sessions you’ll attend. If you’re presenting, let people know. Share your expo booth number, if you have one. Consider hosting a contest to drive people to your booth, or to encourage them to follow your Twitter handle or re-tweet your content. Tweet relevant content from your website. Connect with other people in the HR Tech space (see step 3).
Step 3: Connect with #hrtech thought leaders
An important element of using Twitter successfully is having a conversation with other people, rather than just spewing your own thoughts about any given topic. Check out what other people interested in HR Tech are saying. Follow those people on Twitter, and share any of their tweets that resonate with you. Reply their tweets to engage thought leaders in a conversation.
If you’re new to connecting on Twitter, here’s a good list of people to follow in the #HRTech space:
@BillKutik: he’s the “father” of the #HRTechConf. I remember last year he put out a tweet saying, “Hey everybody, let’s look up from our devices and try talking to each other in person.” Good point. He’s someone to follow if you’re looking to understand the new world of work today, tomorrow, and beyond.
Step 4: Use a stream to follow the #HRTechConf
When the conference opens its doors in Las Vegas on October 18, set up a stream so you can follow #HRTechConf. And then get ready. Once the tweets begin, it’s like drinking from a fire hose for four days. Check out what people are saying. Favorite, share and re-tweet as you find good comments and ideas. Add your thoughts to the stream. Find new people/brands in the feed that you want to follow. (Check out this guide from buffersocial. It provides spot-on advice for how to participate a Twitter live feed.)
This is an overly-simplified version of what it takes to engage with others on Twitter during a conference. If this sounds like something you want to do for your brand, but you don’t have the time or the team to make it happen, contact me. One of the services I provide is live tweeting support from industry conferences. It’s a win-win: you get the Twitter support you need, and for whatever reason, I seem to like drinking from the fire hose for four days.
