Wednesday, December 11, 2013

How to Get More Social With Your Next Presentation

How to Get More Social With Your Next Presentation

Let’s face it. Social media isn’t going away anytime soon. Having a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest and Tumblr account aren’t recommended these days — they’re required. We live in a world that demands and desires transparency, sharing and collaboration. We must all be social. This same rule now applies to your presentations.
Here’s how you can play the social card during your next presentation:
#Hash It Out
You are most likely giving a talk that has a thematic message. Perhaps you’re giving a talk at a conference where that theme has already been defined for you. Regardless, you will need to determine, create and share a thematic Twitter hashtag when giving your talk. With it, people both in the room with you and online can join in your conversation. Does someone have a question? They can tweet it with the hashtag. Want to share more info after your talk? You can tweet it with the hashtag.
Get Real-Time
We can all be thankful there is always an “app for that.” If you want to monitor and track your audience’s opinions in real-time, then you should check out apps like SlideKlowd. It’s one of the best resources for discovering what your audience is thinking as you present.
Create ‘Twitterable Moments’
If you find yourself giving a lot of webinars, then be sure to indicate or specifically highlight those items that you regard as “Twitterable moments” — quotes or data points that people will want to share. Better yet, allow people to directly click on a slide to Tweet that message. It’s not only a quick and easy way to encourage others to tweet/market your message online, but it also serves as a catalyst to maintain engagement and interaction.
Continue the Conversation
I am an intense advocate that every presentation must have a call to action – a purpose, a mission, a reason for the talk. Since most people live online, continue the conversation there. Share your presentation across all social media channels, and embed it in your blog and on your LinkedIn profile. Tell them to go to your Facebook business page to interact or to participate in this or that item. You can even do the same with your SlideShare channel.
Today, social is everything. So, take advantage of the opportunity to be a social presenter. Your audience will appreciate it.