I have tweeted actively at more than 30 conferences during the past 5 years.
Here are 5 tips on how to power-tweet through your next conference:
Here are 5 tips on how to power-tweet through your next conference:
First, why should you tweet at conferences?
📢 Share new knowledge with those unable to attend
Although I do not fully agree, many conferences have moved back to in-person-only formats.
Tweeting allows others to learn, share, and engage in some fashion even when remote.
📢 Share new knowledge with those unable to attend
Although I do not fully agree, many conferences have moved back to in-person-only formats.
Tweeting allows others to learn, share, and engage in some fashion even when remote.
✍️ Take your own notes
You would be surprised how much more attention you pay to talks when you “have to” accurately capture the key points.
This way, you respect the speaker AND learn more!
You would be surprised how much more attention you pay to talks when you “have to” accurately capture the key points.
This way, you respect the speaker AND learn more!
🤝 Network
Many lasting connections (and mentor-mentee relationships and friendships!) are formed through conference tweeting.
Full disclosure: I would not have made the #GlobalSurgery and #CTSurgery connections I have to date in the pre-#SoMe era.
Many lasting connections (and mentor-mentee relationships and friendships!) are formed through conference tweeting.
Full disclosure: I would not have made the #GlobalSurgery and #CTSurgery connections I have to date in the pre-#SoMe era.
So, it is no surprise that more and more people are tweeting at conferences–and for good reason!
But, some simple tweaks may transform you from a casual conference tweeter to the next Twitter Ninja:
But, some simple tweaks may transform you from a casual conference tweeter to the next Twitter Ninja:
TIP 1: Be prepared!
Know the conference hashtag: connect with others and make others find your posts more easily.
Know the handles: you already check the schedule to decide what talks and sessions to go to, why not also find the speakers on Twitter?
Know the conference hashtag: connect with others and make others find your posts more easily.
Know the handles: you already check the schedule to decide what talks and sessions to go to, why not also find the speakers on Twitter?
If there are key talks (think major trials, guidelines, debates, keynotes), bookmark additional literature or media.
After posting your tweet, you can post a reply with links to further resources.
After posting your tweet, you can post a reply with links to further resources.
TIP 2: Be timely!
#SoMe is asynchronous: your tweets will exist long beyond the talk and conference.
But, a quick turnaround may stimulate online discourse with other attendees to continue the discussion beyond conference walls.
#SoMe is asynchronous: your tweets will exist long beyond the talk and conference.
But, a quick turnaround may stimulate online discourse with other attendees to continue the discussion beyond conference walls.
Plus, with the numerous presentations at a conference, the most recent talk is still fresh on your mind.
Hours later, data and names start to mix.
Tweeting now helps you unclutter your mind, your phone, and your camera roll.
🏆 Win-win!
Hours later, data and names start to mix.
Tweeting now helps you unclutter your mind, your phone, and your camera roll.
🏆 Win-win!
TIP 3: Be consistent!
Spreading out tweets regularly is more effective than posting multiple, disconnected tweets in a very short time.
For example, 1 tweet per talk or mini-thread at the start or end of a conference day can do wonders. (A chaotic stream of posts, not so much.)
Spreading out tweets regularly is more effective than posting multiple, disconnected tweets in a very short time.
For example, 1 tweet per talk or mini-thread at the start or end of a conference day can do wonders. (A chaotic stream of posts, not so much.)
Find a formula that works for YOU.
For me, this includes:
📸 Four key pictures
🗨️ One catchy quote
🔢 Key bullet points
🐦 Handle(s)
#⃣ Hashtag(s)
Snap, type, post, repeat.
For me, this includes:
📸 Four key pictures
🗨️ One catchy quote
🔢 Key bullet points
🐦 Handle(s)
#⃣ Hashtag(s)
Snap, type, post, repeat.
TIP 4: Be charged!
The last thing you want to happen when capturing that perfect summary slide picture is for your phone to die.
The constant snapshots, connectivity, and notifications quickly drain your phone battery.
No portable battery? Make friends with your nearest plug!
The last thing you want to happen when capturing that perfect summary slide picture is for your phone to die.
The constant snapshots, connectivity, and notifications quickly drain your phone battery.
No portable battery? Make friends with your nearest plug!
But, your phone’s battery is not the only battery to be drained.
Make sure you take sufficient breaks–there are real people sitting all around us to talk to–and stock up on water.
(Twitter legend has it that hydrated fingers tweet faster.)
Make sure you take sufficient breaks–there are real people sitting all around us to talk to–and stock up on water.
(Twitter legend has it that hydrated fingers tweet faster.)
TIP 5: Be mindful!
Double-check your tweets before posting: forgetting a “not” or misquoting a speaker can do more harm than good.
And, nothing empowers a speaker more than returning to their seat and noticing that the audience truly listened.
Double-check your tweets before posting: forgetting a “not” or misquoting a speaker can do more harm than good.
And, nothing empowers a speaker more than returning to their seat and noticing that the audience truly listened.
Personally, I avoid capturing data/results directly (e.g., results slides) as research is often not yet published.
Discussion and conclusion slides (and your captions!) should be sufficient to capture key messages.
Discussion and conclusion slides (and your captions!) should be sufficient to capture key messages.
In summary, my 5 tips for conference tweeting:
1. Be prepared
2. Be timely
3. Be consistent
4. Be charged
5. Be mindful
This is not an exhaustive list and purely based on my own experience & preferences: tweak as you see fit and what works for *you*!
1. Be prepared
2. Be timely
3. Be consistent
4. Be charged
5. Be mindful
This is not an exhaustive list and purely based on my own experience & preferences: tweak as you see fit and what works for *you*!
Closing thoughts:
Don’t let these tips force you to be on your phone non-stop or, worse, scare you from starting to conference-tweet in the first place.
Tweeting should be enjoyable, educational, and, most of all, worth your time.
YOU have the power to make it worth it.
Don’t let these tips force you to be on your phone non-stop or, worse, scare you from starting to conference-tweet in the first place.
Tweeting should be enjoyable, educational, and, most of all, worth your time.
YOU have the power to make it worth it.
What other tips do you have to optimize and/or enjoy conference tweeting?
Let everyone know below 👇
Let everyone know below 👇
If you are at #STS2023 and want to read more about #CTSurgery tweeting at this year's @STS_CTsurgery meeting, check out Dr. @JessicaLuc1 & Dr. @maraantonoff fantastic @annalsthorsurg editorial ahead of #STS2019:
annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-…
annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-…
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