Last year, I wrote about how the Oscars missed an opportunity to use hashtags in the right direction on TV, and I'm eager to see if the organizers learned something Grammys this year. (Note: CNET parent company CBS has the rights to broadcast the Grammys, but I'm writing this spontaneous and mine).
Here are six things the Grammys is right on social this year - plus they do not - and that the people who run other events, including conferences, awards shows can learn:
1. Be semi-unpleasant: The Grammys do what I say to all those who try to promote their use of social media be semi-obnoxious, to tell people what your hashtags and handles are, and what platforms you are. You can not be shy about it. You need more than once, tell them how and where you drive. For a conference, be sure to print hashtags and handles on the official program and even the invitation, if possible.
2. Tell your audience what they will get to follow you on social networks: On at least four occasions, host LL Cool J (@ llcoolj) was in front of the camera to talk about the official hashtag night - # grammys - and remind viewers to tweet the official round. He also told the audience that he and @ TheGrammys were posting behind-the-scenes photos and other exclusive content on Twitter.
3. Let people know that you are listening Equally important, he appeared to read tweets selected on the air, giving the impression that - or at least some of the social media team Grammys - watching the tweets. Letting them know that someone is reading tweets is a great way to trigger more tweets. At a conference, the emcee or moderator can read tweets selected.
4. The spell: Before you go to some of the commercials, there were specials for social media channels, as you can see in this video all the issue, urging people to watch and Grammy.com Twitter.com / thegrammys, Facebook.com / thegrammys and GetGlue.com / thegrammys:
During a conference, you can remind the audience on the podium, which handles and hashtags are and, during breaks, run a tweet wall on the main screen. You can use VisibleTweets Tweetbeam to run or tweets, but better to do during breaks so that the audience is not distracted like rush tweets behind the speakers.
5. Be active on social media at your event: Grammy different platforms were active throughout the show. At a conference, it is important to have active accounts official to lead, guide and strengthen the conversation, if you do not rely solely on participation.6 participant. Think social media well before the event: The Grammys have promoted the ceremony on a variety of platforms and not wait until the last minute. Even the playful "# The world is listening" poster campaign featuring Rihanna, Linkin Park, Taylor Swift, and others referring to the social aspects of the show. (Fortunately, the producers did not really know what was worse hashtag the world.) For a conference, consider adding the hashtag handles and invitations, reminder e-mails, etc.
7. Use social media to help the viewer follow: On each award, it is difficult to keep straight who is on stage. Between introducers interpreters artists to the winners, it is easy to lose track of what you watch at any time. And even if you know who is on stage, trying to tweet about it often means having to search Twitter handle of the person. This is the only area where future shows Grammys could be improved. While the Grammys tweeted about who was on stage, the titles of the air could easily have shown some handles concerned, thus viewers stay on top of things - especially for people like me who do not the pace of popular music.
Conferences, make sure that the slides announcing a sign of honor or the relevant handles on them. Or moderator or presenter mention ways in which participants can connect with the speakers, and do it repeatedly. Another idea: Each card has printed on the conference hashtag and the Twitter handle of the participant, as appropriate.
Grammys social efforts seem to have borne fruit, as Grammy-related hashtags were trending worldwide and has continued to do hour after the show ended. According to statistics provided by Twitter to Mashable, there were approximately 13.2 million tweets during the show and they are the first three tweets per minute moments:
• Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean and The-Dream Collaboration wins best rap: 116400
• Prince Gotye announces winning record of the year: 109,400
• Fun. wins best new artist: 100600
I take a lot of this advice this week as I host the third edition of the Weekend social media to Columbia Journalism School. Of course, our team is small and the budget is tiny compared to the extravagance Grammy, but thanks to wonderful volunteers, we will be in the game. Even if you can not do with my being semi-bad (or worse) to get people to tweet, you can follow the action before, during and after via # smwknd. We are also giving away some fabulous tweeter base price (including career counseling and social media makeover) that anyone can win.
If you have not seen official Twitter hashtags for best practices here. Consolidate and Be Obvious # are two things there.
