You're organizing a conference. How can you leverage social media for networking success?

To build buzz ahead of a conference, social media is an invaluable tool for generating excitement and anticipation. Start by creating event-specific hashtags that are easy to remember and encourage attendees to use them in their own posts. Leverage countdown posts, teaser videos, and behind-the-scenes content to offer glimpses of what attendees can expect. Featuring key speakers or highlighting major sessions early on builds anticipation. Partner with influencers or industry leaders to share content related to the event and extend your reach. Regular updates and event-related polls or surveys can further involve your audience, fostering a sense of ownership and excitement even before the event begins.

I create event-specific hashtags to encourage attendees to share updates, thoughts, and connections. I promote the conference well in advance, highlighting key speakers, sessions, and networking opportunities. During the event, I use live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive polls to engage the audience. I encourage attendees to connect via LinkedIn by organizing virtual meetups or live chats. Post-event, I share takeaways, tag attendees, and continue the conversation online, fostering a lasting networking community.

Encourage your speakers to share the topic and time of their presentation with a teaser to generate excitement. If you can, tag attendees who may be interested. They will feel seen and get excited about the event - sharing it with colleagues and friends.

Be thought provoking - what topics are worthy of debate in your industry? Are there any take aways that conference participants would like? A lot of conferences are heavy on inspiration and light on action - consider how you can best equip participants with real tools for success.

Engaging with potential attendees on social media well before the event sets the tone for meaningful networking. Begin by sharing content that is directly relevant to the conference’s themes, such as articles, videos, or discussion questions. Encourage participants to introduce themselves on event pages or LinkedIn groups, allowing them to connect with others who share similar interests. Hosting virtual pre-conference meetups or webinars helps build rapport among attendees before they even arrive. Use tools like polls or Q&A sessions to gather input from the community, making them feel like they are part of shaping the event. This early engagement fosters familiarity and encourages deeper connections during the actual conference.

Having planned many shows, Building buzz about a conference, workshop or seminar is a grassroots endeavor and one that involves heavy promo. The biggest influencers on the planet have built their careers on their audience and a theme. The content of the conference needs to hit the right person at the right moment so they can literally be the “TAKE ALL MY MONEY” meme that we all know. So assuming we have that idea down, it’s time to promote. First you need an audience, hands down. Unless you have an unlimited budget for click ads and SEO, your best bet is building that audience. Imagine a built in audience that you have that is foaming at the mouth to buy a conference that has the Codie Sanchez’s & Alex Hormozi’s of the world.

Creating groups on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook is an excellent way to facilitate networking even before the event begins. These groups offer a space for attendees to ask questions, share resources, and start conversations around key topics. Encourage members to introduce themselves and state their goals for the conference, which will help identify mutual interests. The group can be used for more than just logistical updates—share curated content, discussion prompts, and speaker highlights to keep the group dynamic. Once the conference is underway, attendees will already have a sense of community, making it easier to connect in person. After the event, these groups can continue to thrive, offering long-term value.

Being a self described conference junkie myself, I love putting on shows. The planning of meetings, conferences or shows involves a ton of work. I think that Facebook groups, communities on X and even a great Discord work. Personally I like Discord. You also have Skool and many other ways to have a community that fosters a sense of connection and also helps with networking & any issues that come up. Having modules in the communities adds extra value.

Leveraging social media for live interaction during the event can significantly boost engagement. Encourage attendees to share their thoughts, takeaways, and photos using the event hashtag. Consider live-streaming key sessions or Q&A opportunities via platforms like LinkedIn Live or Instagram Stories to engage both attendees and those following remotely. You can also run live polls or real-time surveys to keep the audience engaged during sessions. Additionally, creating dedicated spaces for virtual attendees to network or discuss sessions, such as through Twitter chats or private groups, enhances the overall experience. Interactive content like live quizzes, session recaps, or speaker shout-outs makes the event feel more immersive.

During the many shows I have put together, having giveaways, live tweeting… having a live zoom option I think it’s very distracting having the chat going on the whole time. People are constantly networking and/ or commenting when they should be just listening. But anyway, Live Q&A is very cool. Tony Robbins mastered this with his studio in Florida having thousands of people online to ask questions… even participate in the live event on screen in front of the crowd

Post conference, after the high, it’s imperative to have a community interact. I’ve seen Dean Graziozi do this really well, He has a team of people that are on it with reaching out, posting summaries and even talking about assignments. Dean himself would go live on the group to talk about concepts.

Post-event networking is crucial to maintaining the momentum from the conference and keeping connections alive. Share a roundup of highlights, key takeaways, and recorded sessions across your social media platforms. Encourage attendees to continue the conversations through dedicated LinkedIn or Facebook groups, or create Twitter threads that recapture the event. Post-conference webinars or Q&A sessions with speakers also offer additional networking opportunities. It’s also important to acknowledge and thank attendees, speakers, and sponsors publicly, tagging them in social posts to further encourage ongoing engagement. This post-event phase is often overlooked but can be the most valuable for sustaining long-term relationships.

Creating a feedback loop through social media is essential for improving future conferences and keeping your audience engaged. Utilize polls, surveys, and open-ended questions across your platforms to gather insights from attendees on what worked and what didn’t. Be sure to engage with the feedback, responding publicly to praise or addressing any concerns, showing that you value input. Create follow-up content based on attendee feedback, such as blog posts or videos summarizing suggested improvements. Sharing attendee testimonials can also foster a sense of community and encourage engagement for future events. The feedback loop ensures that your event planning is iterative, incorporating real-world experiences for continual improvement.