Using Social Media to Promote Offline Events Tweetups and online events are both well-known events, but what about those that you didn'tspecifically invite Twitterati to attend? Conferences, meetings and parties might not have startedonline, but they are definitely events which can benefit from online promotion and mention. Why not leverage your offline events with some smart social media marketing? Here are some waysthat you can maximize the exposure of your event using online tools.

1. Blog About It Blog about your events before, during and after they occur. By blogging beforehand, you can alertothers about your new event and encourage them to learn more about it and even register to attend.During your event, live blogging can create buzz and excitement for everybody who didn’t attend,and let them know what they missed. That will also encourage them to look forward to your nextevent. Blogging after the event can provide a recap for all concerned, and give everybodyinformation about your upcoming events. 2. Post Photos on Flickr It’s obvious that almost everybody loves seeing photos of themselves, especially when they’reflattering. When you post photos of your event on Flickr, and tag them with the people's names, youwill generate interest in your event from the people who attended as well as others who follow themon the various social media channels they subscribe to. 3. Put it on Facebook You should also post the photos and tag them on Facebook. The added benefit of Facebook is thatwhen you tag someone, it shows up on their wall. Anybody who is a friend of somebody you taggedwill also see the photo. Hopefully, that will lead them to want to learn more about the event becausethey probably also want their photo put on Facebook. If your company or the event you’re promoting has its own Facebook Page, you can includehighlights from the event. Put in quotes from keynote speakers, activities, awards or even strangethings that might have happened at the event that will get some chuckles from both old and newFacebook visitors.

4. Post Photos to Twitpic Twitpic is a super tool that lets you take a photo with your phone or camera, and then you canupload it directly to Twitter. Everybody who is following you on Twitter will see your tweet plus thelink to the photo, and then they will hopefully click to view it. During your event, there isn’t a better way to show those who didn’t attend what you think theymissed than by taking photos and then sending them in real time. Of course, save your hi-resolutionphotos to be processed later, but upload snapshots from your phone immediately when they’re takenso you can create a sense of visual livestreaming while the event is going on. 5. Tweet the Event Be sure you don't forget the best real-time tool to use in social media sending tweets to yourfollowers. This is a great way to keep everyone updated about what's happening at your event.Whether you’re having an awards show where you just want to share the winners before thejournalists write about them, or a conference when you can tweet soundbites, don’t forget thatTwitter can be a great tool to connect people both online and offline to your event. Make sure your business or organization doesn't have legal objections to you tweeting directly fromthe event. If the event covers some sensitive trade secrets or other things you need to be sensitiveabout, you might become entangled in legal issues if you're not careful. 6. Use Hashtags The easiest way to track tweets and other mentions about your events on a social media platform isto ask everybody to use a hashtag (#) with a designated keyword or phrase when discussing it. Many presentations use the hashtag as a way to field questions and comments during theirpresentations. For those unable to attend your event, following the hashtag is a great way for themto stay updated on soundbites from the conference. 7. Livestream Your Event If your event is a conference or educational platform, you should consider livestreaming it via webvideo. Use a service such as Justin.tv or Ustream.tv and you will be able to broadcast your eventlive over the Internet. This will help expand your audience and interact with them, even if they arenot present in person at your event. Wrapping it Up Remember that you can get the most out of online promotion if you start long before the event. Mapout a strategy that includes what you will do prior to the event, during, and after. Ask employeesand attendees to assist you by posting their own take on the event through their blogs, Twitter,Facebook, and Flickr accounts. Make it as easy as possible for anyone to share their content andphotos of your event online.