Some great thoughts there Lara! I do agree that some guidance should be given regarding using Twitter as a front channel communication vehicle in a presentation but I also caution that too much moderation of its use would detract from its true spirit.

Lay the groundwork for users to understand how its envisioned being used and then let the comments flow!

Regarding your second comment I actually think the guidance mentioned above is more for people not as familiar with how to use this wonderful tool!

Thanks for contributing to this post Lara!

@michaelmccurry

It’s also important to understand that not everyone is familiar with the tool. We only need to rewind a few months or years to remember how strange this tool was to us when we first started using it. Training and patience is also critical to aiding an audience in using Twitter properly.

Great post, Mike.

Hey first off Happy Birthday Midori!!

Like you, agree, you can’t control Twitter, or really any other social media. You shut off one channel, folks will just find another community to hang on.

The best we can do as event professionals is provide the best possible logistical support, educate the attendees and speakers as to the engagement process, and then let it flow.

Thanks for contributing to the discussion.

@michaelmccurry

I have to say my experience in a live event on Twitter is much the same as Midori’s. I get so involved in listening to all that is around me that I tend to capture more from the session.

But, that is me, my A.D.D. self … Twitter is like a social media version of Ritalin to me… it gets me focused.

I have not really noticed anyone trying to one-up a speaker, although it is certainly conceivable. If nothing else it may put speakers on notice that they ought to have a firm grasp of the material they are presenting.

Thanks much for your perspectives…. very interesting point of view… as you usually have Dave,

@michaelmccurry

I think it’s maybe unrealistic for us to expect that we can control where, how and when our event community members will use social media. For example, if audience members aren’t crazy about the idea of a front channel, then they’ll simply become inactive and find another means of having their private, back channel conversations

If there’s one thing I think we’ve all learned about Twitter and social networking, it’s that it’s a dynamic, self-propelled little engine. It’s up to event professionals to simply provide the tools to enable its use – with the goals of educating and connecting our participants.

Midori Connolly, Chief AVGirl
@GreenA_V

- at IAEE there were a couple of power tweeters from outside of the industry that participated. They significantly helped build awareness of our industry by jumping in and participating.

- Twitter levels the playing field so that anyone can demonstrate their thought leadership within the community. It gives a bullhorn to people that are normally considered introverts.

- Some people who want to be a thought leader on twitter will attempt to compete with the speaker to one up them. It’s hard to see through this unless you are there live.

I’m as good at multi-tasking as most 40+ year olds. It’s impossible to fully engage with both the live and twitter audience simultaneously. You’re going to miss some nuggets, but may gain some from the channel your paying more attention too.

Dave Lutz – @velchain