Steps for Tweetup Success

Tweetups are among the latest trends stemming from Twitter in which groups of Twitter users meet face-to-face, sans computer screens. Working with AmSurg and its Stop Colon Cancer Now campaign, Parthenon Publishing promoted one such Tweetup to raise money for colon cancer.

Stop Colon Cancer Now teamed with the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) in September to host “Bottoms Up for Colon Cancer,” a Tweetup celebrating “D.C. Goes Blue for Colon Cancer” week. The event took place at The Mighty Pint bar in Washington, D.C., and featured plenty of fun, drinks, networking and raffle prizes, including an iPad. All proceeds were donated to the CCA.

Bottoms Up

Are you thinking of hosting a Tweetup? Here are five tips to make it a success:

  1. Choose a venue that is appropriate for the type of Tweetup you’re hosting and the amount of “Tweeple” who will participate. A venue that’s too big may allow people to isolate themselves, but a location that’s too small may make people feel stressed and uncomfortable.
  2. Use your social media network to create buzz surrounding the Tweetup. Announce the event on other social media tools like Facebook and LinkedIn. Encourage interactivity by asking people to submit their ideas for things to do at the event or ideas for locations for future events.
  3. Expect more people to attend than you think. In the world of social media, event plans spread quickly, so plan accordingly.
  4. If you’re holding a large Tweetup, event management tools may be useful in handling RSVPs and sharing information with participants. Mashable suggests EventBrite or Amiando, which are both free for free events, or meetup.com, which requires a small subscription fee (as little as $12/month).
  5. Allow people time to interact and network. Don’t pack so many activities into the Tweetup that people don’t have time to strike up conversation.

Sources:
http://mashable.com/2009/02/25/tweetup
http://www.socialmediatoday.com/amithaamarasinghe/172633/how-organize-successful-tweetup