Dave Konig, the Social Medic, has written a great article about using Social Media tools and networks to prepare for and make the most of social media tools at EMS World Expo.
I have one contrary comment – Put your #$%@! phone back in your pocket and talk to people. You just traveled across the country at considerable time and expense so take advantage of this time for face to face communication. Put your phone on silent, bury it under several flaps, buttons, and zippers, and look for the people you only know through social media and then …. gasp … talk to them.
When you aren’t engaged in face to face communication consider these additional tips for how you can bring EMS World Expo home with you and to EMS professionals that can’t attend:
1. Use your smartphone’s camera to take pictures of slides during presentations that include key points and summary information. This is faster and easier than writing notes. Position yourself well for photos.
2. Participate in backchannel communications by Tweeting or posting to Facebook or Google+ during the presentation. Share useful tips, insightful quotes from the speaker, and even your opinion of the quality of the presentation. Use hashtags like #EMSWorldExpo to help others find your posts.
3. Use your Smartphone to video tape and post conversations with other EMS professionals and presenters you meet at EMS World Expo. Do some pre-planning of what you want to discuss and record. For example, think of one question you want to ask 5 people at EMS World Expo. Introduce yourself to the interviewee, explain what you want to do, get their permission, and start recording a short video with your phone. I would like to watch videos of other EMS professionals and presenters answering questions like:
- Why should an EMT attend EMS World Expo in 2012?
- What is the top product in the exhibit hall?
- What is your favorite tip for EMS newbies?
- Who is one of your EMS mentors or heroes?
- What is something you learned from a patient recently?
- What is the best EMS smartphone app?
- How can we make EMS continuing education better?
Post the videos individually to your YouTube channel or mash them together into a compilation video. I will be watching for your videos so I can post them here.
P.S. I think this is such a good idea that if you find me at EMS World Expo and can prove to me you have already recorded at least 5 videos I will buy you dinner.
How else can you use your Smartphone at EMS World Expo?
