On Message

Today, I'm following the tweets from the eLearning Network's annual conference, eLNConnect (here). I'm a member but, for various reasons, wasn't able to attend. So, as usual in these circumstances, I turn to and rely on good old Twitter and my personal learning network (PLN) to keep me informed as I get on with 'other stuff'.

I use TweetDeck to follow and contribute to Twitter conversations. I find its structure of using multiple columns to separate out different conversational streams to be invaluable, particularly when engaging in tweetchats such as the weekly #LDinsight chat, or to follow events like conferences. 

So today, I searched for the eLNConnect hashtag, and the first few hits came up with #eLNConnect19, which I duly separated into its own column and started following the discussion, as tweeted out by some of the PLN attending.

But then, in my 'Home' feed column, I started seeing some other people tweeting from the conference and using the hashtag #eLNConnect2019. Now I had a dilemma - was it #eLNConnect19 or #eLNConnect2019? Which was the 'official' conference hashtag? What was I going to miss if I focused on the 'wrong' tag? Did I need to create a second Tweetdeck column for the other tag?

So I tweeted out, using both hashtags, asking which hashtag to follow. 

And I got a bit cross.

And felt myself disengaging.

After about 20 minutes or so, the official eLNConnect account confirmed that the hashtag was, in fact, #eLNConnect2019, with an apology for the confusion. Situation saved, my TweetDeck column hashtag adjusted and my attention re-engaged. Happy days.

So, here's a suggestion to all and every event organisers everywhere - before your event, publicise your 'official' hashtag; ensure that it's in all your pre-event marketing materials and critically, announce it loud and clear in the room and across your social media channels at the start of and frequently throughout your event. Avoid hashtag ambiguity.

People like me, who have a genuine interest in your event and the speakers' stories, keen to learn, who want to engage, share and contribute, want to feel part of things but cannot be there, will thank you for it and will willingly amplify the discussions and the learning.

So as #eLNConnect2019 takes a coffee break, my thanks to @elearningnetwk and all the contributors, tweeters and sharers for what has been a fascinating morning already. I'm looking forward to more as the day goes on.