Being "Social" In A Seminar

Guest post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess

I sometimes wonder at social etiquette. Case in point. I was invited to a RAMA meeting the other day to hear Eric Berman, Facebook’s Marketing Solutions Partner speak. It was great information. I took a lot of notes, but I was also tweeting the info while I sat there. 

The in-session tweeting got me to wondering... are we too socially connected at times? If I am in front of a group going through my well-prepared speech do I want your undivided attention? Yes, I do. Will I get it? Probably not. In some cases, attendees are urged to tweet-out info while they're in-session. We are supplied with the hashtags to use. Does that mean then, that we are obligated to tweet? Are we in violation of some social media ordinance if we don't tweet? Are we truly paying attention to the speaker if we're frantically tapping away on our smartphones? Great questions. Anyone have the answers? 

When I'm standing in front of the room, while I may not have your rapt attention, I would certainly like to think some of my ultra-fascinating information is making an impact. (lol... kind of) If you're spending the time on your smartphone are you really tweeting or are you checking your email, texting your friends, family and business colleagues or simply surfing the internet? Is what I am talking about valuable? Boring? So fascinating that you can't wait to share the info with everyone you know? How is a speaker to know? 

Do I have any answers? Nope? Just wondering how you, as a speaker feel? 

Comments

[Anne]

The face of doing business has changed radically. At most seminars, you are expected to Tweet about the points that impress you most. I think there is a balance when it comes to taking advantage of technology while still paying attention. I only use Twitter a couple of times, when a major point is made. I also avoid other social connections during the seminar so I can give the speaker my full attention.

[Nidhi Shrivastava]

You are right. Even I agree.