Experience Columbus - Social Media Toolkit-Twitter

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Currently the fastest growing social network, Twitter is becoming one of the most-talked-about sites on the Web.

Return to the Social Media Toolkit home page or download the full Social Media Guide (PDF document).

You may hear Twitter described as an online social network or a microblogging service. If you visit Twitter.com, you'll find that the site describes itself as "a service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?"

Twitter allows users to know what's happening right now, through the sending and receiving of "tweets," messages of 140 characters or less. Twitter is used for a variety of things including networking, breaking news, engaging media outlets, gaining information, promoting products, communicating with event audiences and more.

Twitter is growing, and it's growing really fast. CNET reported that from February 2008 - February 2009, Twitter experienced a 1,382% increase in growth.

While Twitter has just a fraction of the users that Facebook does, it's taken the top spot as the fastest growing social network.

1. Encourage your attendees who use Twitter to follow the Experience Columbus Twitter accounts. By doing so, they'll begin to get an idea of the dining, playing and shopping options available in our city.

Experience Columbus on Twitter
Experience Columbus: @ExpCols
Irene Alvarez, Marketing Project Manager: @Irene_ExpCols
Marco Bloemendaal, Director, Convention Sales: @Marco_ExpCols
Kelly Brooks, Events/Marketing Coordinator: @Kelly_ExpCols
Dave Burgan, Director, Information Technology: @Dave_ExpCols
Brian Cheek, Tourism Sales Manager: @Brian_ExpCols
Arica Claar, Sales Assistant: @Arica_ExpCols
Anthony Cordo, Visitor Services Manager: @Anthony_ExpCols
Melissa DeGraw, Membership Sales Manager: @Melissa_ExpCols
Beth Ervin, Director, Communications: @Beth_ExpCols
Meg Gordon, Sales Assistant: @Meg_ExpCols
Pete McGinty, Vice President, Marketing: @Pete_ExpCols
Cathe Moog, Director, Marketing: @Cathe_ExpCols
Mark Oeffler, National Sales Manager: @Mark_ExpCols
Xenia Palus, Director, Membership: @Xenia_ExpCols
Scott Peacock, Media Relations Manager: @Scott_ExpCols
Vineetha Thomas, Sales Manager: @VineethaExpCols
Sayaka Sekiguchi, Events Manager: @Sayaka_ExpCols
Ben Walters, Visitor Center Receptionist: @Ben_ExpCols

Greater Columbus Sports Commission on Twitter
Brent LaLonde, Media Contact: @Brent_CbusSprts
Linda Logan, Executive Director: @Linda_CbusSprts
Brian Timm, Director, Corporate Partnerships: @Brian_CbusSprts
Gwen Verhoff, Senior Events Manager: @Gwen_CbusSprts

Attendees can also pose questions directly to our staff on Twitter to get information that will be helpful to them during their stay.

2. Get acquainted with hashtags. A hashtag is simply a "code" that Twitter users type into their tweet with the # sign before it. It allows users to find all tweets related to a specific topic or event.

We're seeing more and more meetings and conventions assign hashtags to their events. Recent Columbus examples include the Arnold Sports Festival (#Arnold) and the 2009 National Youth Ministry Conference (#NYMC). By following the hashtag being used for your meeting, you can stay on top of attendee questions, thoughts and experiences relevant to the event.

There are a number of ways to follow tweets that use hashtags. A few popular options include:
http://search.twitter.com (simply enter a hashtag in the search bar)
htp://hashtags.org (enter the hashtag in the search bar, then click on it under the "Tag search" results)
http://tweetchat.com (Twitter account required - login with your Twitter credentials, then enter the hashtag to view the conversation)

2. Speaking of hashtags, let your Twitter-using attendees know about
Ask #ExpCols. By including #ExpCols in a tweet that includes a question about Columbus, Experience Columbus staff and local residents will help with answers.

Questions asked include things like "I'm staying at the Hyatt Regency. Where can I eat that's nearby?" or "I have free time and want to check out some galleries. Where should I go and how do I get there?" By including #ExpCols in their tweets, your attendees will tap into a local network of assistance, opinions and recommendations.

3. Create your own Twitter account for attendees to follow. You can use it to communicate updates and provide event information before, during and after your event. For additional reading on how meetings can use Twitter, check out this post from the guys at MeetingsPodcast.com.

For more information on getting started with Twitter, click here.