Three Types of Conference Tweets

You have a Twitter account. You understand the basics of tweeting. However, you are uncertain what to tweet. You are about to attend a conference or a workshop so you decide to ease yourself into the Twitterverse. Here are three types of tweets you can send at a conference or workshop. If you are hesitant about tweeting, you may wish to just stick with the first type until you gain more confidence.

1.       Identify noteworthy statements by the speaker. What statements by the speaker/presenter grab your attention? You may find a statement noteworthy because you agree or disagree with it or because it inspires, puzzles, or challenges you. List the statement in your tweet and attribute it to the speaker, using the speaker’s Twitter user name if you know it. Include the conference hashtag, such as #NSBAConf, so people following the hashtag will see it. Feel free, but not obligated, to include your reaction to the statement. 

 

2.       Respond to or retweet the tweets of others at the conference.  This is the best way to connect with others and expand your professional learning network. By collaboratively wrestling with ideas, you make connections that may extend past the conference via Twitter.

Follow the conference hashtag and identify particularly interesting tweets. Retweet an interesting tweet without comment. Note in the graphic below that the original tweet is reissued with the notation that it has been retweeted by you so that your followers see it too.

Alternatively, reply to the tweet with a reaction or a question, including the conference hashtag.

If the initial tweet was relatively short or you can shorten it without changing the meaning, you may reply to the tweet by copying the initial tweet into your response and then adding a brief comment. Apps like Tweetdeck make it easier to retweet with comments and questions.

3.       Send links to resources related to the presentation.  When a presenter displays a web site or video or makes references to individuals, organizations, or resources, conference participants may make a mental note to seek more information on these topics later. You can help your fellow attendees by sending a link to a web site related to one of these resources. Copy and paste the URL from your browser to your tweet. Note that Twitter automatically shortens the URL so that it uses fewer characters.

Enjoy the twitterverse. It needs your contributions!