by Edie Melson

Many of us are heading to Indianapolis this week for the ACFW Annual Conference. No matter whether you’re just going to learn or have projects to pitch, you’ll want to brush up on your social media skills to help you plug in through social networking during and after the conference.

During the Conference

Even those who’ve taken the time to connect before a conference, sometimes forget the benefit of staying plugged in while you’re there. Plug into social media during the conference can help concrete some of the relationships you began before you arrived, including:

• The ability to connect with others who are attending the conference. One good way to help others recognize you from online interactions is to add your Twitter Handle to your nametag. For example, below my printed name I’d add @EdieMelson.
• The chance to network with industry professionals. You can be certain that professionals know when their name is mentioned online, and take note of the person who mentioned it.
• The opportunity for the faculty, staff, and other attendees to get to know you in a positive way. In these days of publishing platform is vitally important, and one of the most recognized ways to build a platform is online. Believe me, publishers and agents are watching to see which writers are digitally savvy.
• The inside scoop. As I’ve mentioned, things happen, and schedules change. Social media is the best way to stay on top of a fluid situation.

Now that you know some of the benefits, what tools do you need to stay plugged in?

• Smart Phone: With these cool tools you can Tweet, post to Facebook, answer email, even comment on blogs. If you have one of these, be sure to use it to stay connected.
• Tablet or Ereader with wifi connectability: This is another easy way to keep in touch with others on social networks. You don’t have to have a 3G device to keep up with what’s going on. Just be sure to get familiar with your mobile device’s interface.
• Laptop: As computers get smaller and lighter, it gets easier and easier to use them when you travel.

Another way to stay connected at an event is take time each evening to look over the business cards you’ve collected and add those friends to your social network. There are several advantages to doing this while you’re still at an event.

• First, if you have trouble finding someone on Twitter or Facebook you can ask them for help and clarification.
• Next, they’re more likely to accept your friend request or reciprocate when you’re fresh on their mind. We meet a lot of folks at conferences and it’s easy to lose track of some.
• Finally, it gives you the opportunity to begin cementing the relationship.

Other things to look for are special opportunities to be part of the conference experience for others. You can do this by utilizing any conference #Hashtags. You can comment on classes, people you’ve met, even special events like awards ceremonies.

All of these things can help enhance your conference experience, so take the time now so you’ll be up and running with social networking when you get onsite. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be one of many voices in the ongoing conference conversation.

After the Conference

But what about when you go home? The relationship building shouldn’t end. Here are some reasons to reconnect online, after you meet someone at a conference.

• When you follow up a face-to-face meeting with a friend request on Facebook or Twitter follow, you leave a lasting impression that helps concrete the relationship.
• Connecting online is easier when your memory (and everyone else’s) is still in the “It’s nice to get to know you” phase. You’re more likely to get a reciprocal follow or accepted friend request when impressions are fresh.
• An online connection can give you additional information and provide more points of connection.
• You’ll be building your own reputation as a media savvy author who knows the way around social networking.

Here are some additional ways social networking can help you continue to reap the benefits of attending a conference.

Use #Hashtags when you tweet about your experiences at the conference—even after the event has ended. Not only will your comment be part of an ongoing, focused conversation—you’ll also find yourself exposed to new followers and contacts.

Invite new contacts to share a guest post on your blog. This will give your readers a chance to meet new people and be exposed to valuable content. Also, a fair number will reciprocate and ask you to guest on their blog.

Look for ways to continue the online conversation. Don’t be pushy, but stay in touch with positive feedback and encouragement.

Social media can add depth to your overall conference, with a lot less effort than you think, and the benefits are far reaching and long lasting. You’ll find that those who don’t are missing out on a lot of fun, information and new friends!