How do you use social media to network at conferences?

1 Choose your platforms

Depending on your goals, preferences, and audience, you might want to use different social media platforms to network at conferences. For example, LinkedIn is a great place to showcase your professional profile, connect with speakers and attendees, and join groups and discussions related to the conference theme. Twitter is ideal for live-tweeting, following hashtags, and engaging with influencers and experts. Instagram and Facebook can help you share your personal insights, photos, and stories, and build rapport with your network. You don't have to use all of them, but choose the ones that suit your style and purpose.

2 Prepare your content

Before the conference, you can use social media to create some buzz and anticipation for the event. You can share your excitement, goals, and expectations, as well as the topics and speakers you are looking forward to. You can also ask for recommendations, tips, and feedback from your network, and offer your own advice and resources. This way, you can establish your presence, credibility, and interest, and attract potential connections and opportunities. You can also schedule some posts in advance, using tools like Buffer or Hootsuite, to save time and maintain consistency.

3 Interact and engage

During the conference, you can use social media to enhance your networking experience and reach a wider audience. You can follow the official accounts and hashtags of the conference, and join the conversations and debates happening online. You can also share your own thoughts, insights, and questions, and tag the speakers, organizers, and attendees you want to connect with. You can also use social media to arrange meetups, coffee breaks, or happy hours with your network, and invite new contacts to join you. Don't forget to reply to comments, messages, and mentions, and show your appreciation and gratitude.

4 Follow up and follow through

After the conference, you can use social media to maintain and strengthen your relationships with your network. You can send personalized messages to the people you met, and thank them for their time, insights, and referrals. You can also share your key takeaways, feedback, and suggestions for the conference, and tag the relevant people and organizations. You can also follow up on any action items, requests, or promises you made, and show your commitment and professionalism. You can also keep in touch with your network by sharing relevant content, commenting on their posts, and endorsing their skills.

5 Optimize your profile

One of the most important aspects of using social media to network at conferences is to have a clear, updated, and attractive profile. Your profile is your online resume, portfolio, and personal brand, and it can make or break your first impression. You want to make sure that your profile reflects your skills, achievements, and personality, and that it showcases your value and expertise. You can also use your profile to highlight your participation and involvement in the conference, and to display your testimonials, recommendations, and endorsements.

6 Be authentic and respectful

Finally, the golden rule of using social media to network at conferences is to be yourself and respect others. You don't want to come across as spammy, pushy, or salesy, or to annoy or offend anyone with your posts or messages. You want to be genuine, friendly, and helpful, and to offer value and support to your network. You also want to respect the privacy, preferences, and boundaries of your contacts, and to follow the etiquette and guidelines of each platform. Remember, social media is a tool, not a substitute, for networking, and it can help you build trust, rapport, and rapport with your network.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?