MPI recently came to the conclusion that traditional media and social media had some significant similarities: both groups attended events and covered important issues for attending and non-attending public alike – and social media representatives even became a part of the event. This revelation led MPI Public Relations Specialist Kristen Kouk to create a Social Media Guru program to empower members of the industry to lead their social media efforts and help engage members around the World Education Congress (WEC) in Vancouver this year.
MPI’s Social Media Guru Search
MPI made their Social Media Guru application available on the WEC Event Page for Social Media. They promoted the offer mainly through Twitter, which makes sense since they were looking for someone who is probably already established and active on social media sites. The application included questions about social media awareness and activities (Twitter, Facebook, blogs, websites, Foursquare, etc.). They asked applicants to describe their levels of participation in and the main use for each outlet. In the end, they chose five people with a wide range of experience and different backgrounds.
Happily I was chosen to be one of the five Social Media Gurus who will drive the social media efforts at this event. Each guru has been told to: act as a spokesperson for social media to the members attending WEC, and we are currently working out how each of us will manage this task. We all have different strengths and social media tools we prefer to use. Each one of us plans to make sure that we spread the word about WEC and MPI to members and non-members; sharing information to those who cannot attend. I’m sure it was MPI’s master plan to bring together such a unique group of people; there will certainly be a unique interpretation from each of us.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a guru. A guru implies “one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others (teacher)“.
Do I have great knowledge, wisdom or authority in the social Media arena? Well certainly I’m able to keep up and I’m open to learning, I have no fear of social media and I happily jump on board with new technology. One of my fellow gurus stated that he feels that we are apprentices, and I have to agree. The world of social media is an ever changing community. New applications, new conversation, new technology… there is always something bigger and better out there. I think your ability to keep up and willingness to accept the constant change puts you on the Guru path, but we’re learning and adapting in the ever changing social media world.
Social Media Outlets for WEC Attendees
We will be using a variety of tools that MPI already has in place as forums to discuss happenings at WEC. For example: MPI plans to use Foursquare throughout the congress, with an added benefit of a contest that will reward the most active user of Foursquare at WEC. Users just need to follow “WEC10″ on Foursquare and check-in where they check in!
Other existing WEC social media outlets:
- Twitter (of course) Use the hashtag #WEC10 to keep attendees informed and engaged.
- Pathable’s event community – attendees can create their own profile and schedules
- Blogs
I love Twitter! It will be my main social media tool while at WEC. I use Twitter as a means to:
- network online
- connect with other meeting professionals (both planners and suppliers)
- to get useful information, tips and news from colleagues
- provide information to those who may not be able to attend an event in person
I interacted with others via Twitter a great deal for MPI’s MeetDifferent in February when I could not attend in person (Virtual Access Pass) – It provided a high level of virtual activity that I found very valuable.
Stay Tuned for More Adventures of a Social Media Guru
This is the first of a series of my trials and tribulations of a social media guru and how you can learn from our team’s success.
Part 1: Harnessing the Power of Social Media Leaders: MPI’s Social Media Guru Program
Part 2: The Power of Social Media: Making it Work for WEC Attendees
Part 3: Being an MPI Social Media Guru Isn’t Without Its Challenges
Part 4: Guru on Deck at Vancouver – Scrolling on a Trackwheel
Part 5: A Social Media Guru Farewell for WEC 2010
