Posted in Presentation Delivery

Should I use Twitter in a public webinar or webcast?

Short answer: Yes, even if you hate Twitter.

Here’s why, by way of a short case study.

Last year I was part of a three-presenter speaking panel at a webinar hosted by a very large international association.

To be fair, I happen to find Twitter quite handy for my business and I’m a little biased…I’m sure it’s not for everyone. But this was a webinar where we were talking about web-enabled communication.

When I asked about using Twitter, the “no” I got was in the form of, “But what if someone says something negative?”

Ironically, part of the way through the first of the three mini-presentations, the other speaker who wasn’t speaking messaged me to take a look at Twitter.

Sure enough, someone in the audience audience made up their own hashtag and a chorus of others joined in the backchannel conversation.

I don’t think we can put the genie back in the bottle. Even if you hate Twitter, you could be using it to enhance how you engage your audience.

If you need a few ideas, join me here.

TheVP

Award-winning author and speaker | First CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) in the world to earn National Speakers Association's highest earned designation with a predominantly virtual business model | Good songwriter, bad singer | Loves habaneros

4 thoughts on “Should I use Twitter in a public webinar or webcast?”

  1. Katie Stroud

    I used to be one of those people who asked the question, “What if someone says something negative?” I was usually asking as a representative of the people I worked with who pushed back. But then someone said something very smart, “The thing is, they’re going to do it anyway. Would you rather them do it behind your back or use it to your advantage and monitor/guide the conversation.”

    When I give presentations, I include “Notable Moments.” I originally wanted to call them Tweetable Moments, but during rehearsal I found that people not familiar with Twitter found it to be a stumbling block. So I call them Notable Moments and tell the audience that they’re key points formatted for easy tweeting and then offer the designated hash tag.

    Thanks for sharing. I think Twitter is a useful tool to have in your presentation toolbox.

    Reply

    1. TheVP

      I DO call them tweetable moments because it rhymes with ‘teachable’ moments, but it does help to explain as needed for the audience.

      Reply

      1. Katie Stroud

        I like that: A “Tweetable” moment is a “Teachable” moment. I may use that in my next presentation.

        KS

        Reply

  2. 6 ideas for applying "Made to Stick" in virtual presentations - EventBuilder -

    […] Wordsmith it so it’d fit in about 120 characters or less…even if you’re not a Twitter user. […]

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