Start With a Chirp, Create a Buzz
Are you using Twitter? I know you have an account. Most everyone created one when the word “tweet” entered our vernacular. But are you using Twitter?
As the ACUHO-I Annual Conference and Exposition rapidly approaches – we’re only about a month away –it’s time to think about how Twitter is going to change the conference experience. Wait, you’re not going to the conference? Don’t close this browser window – this blog post is even more important for you!
(Okay, okay – if you don’t have a Twitter account, go set one up here. It’s free and easy. Click here for a video tutorial on setting up your account. Quick recommendation: Make your username something that identifies you as a professional rather than the cute nickname your partner calls you. This social medium means business).
Now that you’re all set up with your account, it’s time to start following some people. Odds are, you’ll be surprised by the number of colleagues — on your campus and around the world — that you know who already are using Twitter or at least getting their feet wet just like you are. Do you know @StacyLOliver (that’s me!), @JPKirch, @TorryBruce, @LynnEllison, @kmorian, @wepps, @chacharon, @EricStoller, @chadtweets, @LaurieABerry, @danoltersdorf, @annmarieklotz, @BiceJr, @jesscrombie, @meridethlar, @TBump, or @ACUHOI (editor’s note: that’s me!)? You might not recognize them by these handles, but they are just a sampling of the housing and student affairs professionals who are sharing news, information, pep talks, and more on a daily basis, all via Twitter.
So how will you know who else is talking about housing or ACE? Twitter utilizes “hashtags” to steamline conversation topics. Hashtags are terms or categories set off with the # sign, and usually tacked on to the end of a message. The official hashtag all things related to ACUHO-I, including the conference, is #ACUHOI. Enter that into your search box and you’ll find ongoing conversation about housing-related topics, the conference, idea sharing, and on occasion, haiku related to end of year closing processes.
Send out that first Tweet and get excited about conference. Attending for the first time? Not able to attend but still want to connect with people who are to share information? Get that first message out there with the #ACUHOI hashtag and see what happens.
Check back next week for information on how we plan to use the hashtag at the conference and the benefits of following along even if you can’t be in Austin.
Tags: Twitter
I won’t be at ACUHO, but I look forward to some great informational tweets from those who are there.
You can find me on Twitter: @chellrene. I am not as informative and prolific as those mentioned above, but I do enjoy learning and communicating with other SA Pros.
After yesterday’s #SAChat, I am also considering a Twitter name change.
Thanks for the shout-out! Great post title. I like that you’re building the foundation for an epic conference experience with Twitter as the medium for back channel conversations and community building.