Photo by jmilles
Disclaimer: I am not talking about a particular event in this post, but rather observations from several events over the past year. In addition, I will admit that I have hosted and contributed to these kinds of streams before I came to the light 
I’ve seen too many Twitter streams for events in recent months that just annoy me. People have figured out that sucking up to other people on Twitter is a good way to get attention and followers. They also know that you can meet a lot of people to flatter when you’re at an event.
When I look at an event’s Twitter stream, I want to see a collection of lessons learned and quotes that can’t be missed, but that’s not what the streams look like for most events. What I’m seeing are streams of flattering comments, RTs and conversation amongst people in the same room. I’m not saying that kind of conversation is wrong, but it certainly can’t be the meat of a successful live stream. Please, I beg you, before you tweet on an event hashtag, consider the following:
- Does anyone care?
- How will your tweet help inform, educate or encourage someone?
- Are you the only one tweeting? Is anyone listening?
- Who are you talking to? If it’s not to the general members of the group, reconsider.
- Is the Twitpic you’re sending professional?
- Are your tweets exclusive? Informing people who missed an event is great. Being exclusive is not.
