Sure, Twitter is a way to connect online, but there’s only so much you can get to know about a person 140 characters at a time. Sometimes a little good old-fashioned networking is in order, and tweetups (meetups for Twitter users) are a great way to get out from behind your computer or mobile device and start connecting with fellow Twitter users in person.
We’ve hosted a few tweetups, ranging from 25 to 100+ guests and in various venues, so we thought we’d pass along some advice on how to plan and host your own tweetup:
Build as many local followers as possible – Tweetups are all about getting to know local Twitter users better. But before you can do that you need to make plenty of local connections on Twitter. You’ll want to connect and build relationships with local businesses, organizations and individuals through Twitter. These are the people you’ll be relying on to attend your tweetup, or at a very minimum, re-tweet for you and help spread the word.
Decide why you’re having a tweetup – Do you just want to get to know your fellow Twitter users better? Or maybe promote a particular speaker or event? Your tweetup should have a purpose that can easily be communicated through your marketing efforts.
Determine date & location – You’ll want to establish the date and venue for your tweetup a few weeks in advance. Pick a time that works well for most people, like directly after work. If you don’t want to provide food and beverages yourself, then plan to meet at a restaurant or bar and have people purchase their own food.
Another option is to host the tweetup at your business. We recently held a tweetup at our office, and it was a great opportunity to show off our digs. Plus, it had more of a private party vibe than what we’d be able to achieve in a restaurant. On the downside, we had to bring in the food and drinks (including beer and wine), and when you’re talking about 50 people costs can add up quickly!
Secure food and drinks – Twitterers are going to want to eat, so if you’re not in a venue that provides food, you should plan to provide the food yourself or have it catered. If you’re meeting at a restaurant, call ahead to make they can accommodate your group. Finding a restaurant with a large patio, bar, or private room are all good options. Be sure to take a look in person before deciding on a venue.
Find a co-sponsor - If you’re not sure you want sole responsibility for throwing a tweetup, consider finding a complementary business to co-sponsor it with you. Not only can this option help ease any financial burdens, but it can also double your marketing power.
Have a tweeting plan - Be sure to tweet often about your event. Share progress on any plans you’re making, who’s RSVP’d, speakers you’ve lined up, etc. With more and more “noise” on Twitter, tweeting every now and then isn’t enough. You should really be tweeting on a daily basis to promote your event. Once you start getting RSVPs, build even more momentum by tweeting about some of the people who have RSVP’d yes.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask local Twitter “movers and shakers” to re-tweet for you, especially if you have rapport with them.
Use prizes and/or gift certificates for promotion - Want to boost attendance or get more people to retweet your messages? Purchase a couple of gift certificates and give them away randomly to people who retweet for you or RSVP “yes” (and actually show up!).
You can also see if any local businesses on Twitter would be willing to donate gift cards for your event. In exchange for their gift cards, offer to promote them as an event sponsor and give them a little Twitter love.
Make your tweets “re-tweetable” – Once you start tweeting about the event, make sure that your tweets are well within the 140 character limit so that friends can easily retweet your message and add on a few words of their own. Tweets that promote prizes or giveaways are even more likely to be passed on.
Don’t just rely on Twitter - Some Twitter purists would disagree, but just because you’re promoting a tweetup doesn’t mean you should rely solely on Twitter to spread the word. Some people follow Twitter more religiously than others, so consider promoting your event on Facebook and blogs, as well as through your website and email.
Have a Speaker - Twitterers are obviously into social media, so consider having someone speak on the topic – especially if you can line up a well known name. It shouldn’t be a long or formal presentation, but attendees would probably appreciate a speaker sharing helpful tips or emerging strategies.
Have a welcome table and nametags - Be a courteous host and have someone assigned to welcome guests and help with nametags. Ask people to include their name and Twitter screen name on the nametag, as most people will know each other by their screen names.
Don’t make your tweetup too long – We’ve found that a good length for a tweetup is about 1 ½-2 hours. This is similar to the length for a chamber of commerce “after hours” events, so it’s within people’s comfort zones.
As with any party planning, throwing a successful tweetup take a lot of man hours, organization and careful planning. But if you’ve got the time and resources, go for it – you’ll grow your circle of contacts, both online and off, and have fun in
