Tag: twitter
ABCey’s Tech Tuesday: 5 Best Social Media Management Tools
As event planners, we leverage social media as a powerful tool to grow businesses, whether it involves showcasing that we’re on top of all of the latest trends, or promoting and marketing our events to a targeted audience. Thus, today’s #TechTuesday features 5 of the best social media management tools to help you stay organized and efficient from a single interface!
1. Buffer
Buffer is a classic social media management tool aimed at primarily scheduling posts and tracking the performance of your content. With this app, free users can connect up to 3 social accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and so on.
2. Hootsuite
HootSuite is another popular social media management app. Compared to Buffer, HootSuite supports more services such as WordPress Blogs and YouTube Channels. Besides content scheduling, HootSuite also allows you to review timeline and manage replies, all in one tool.
3. PostPlanner
In addition to scheduling, PostPlanner is the best tool for curating content on your social media accounts. PostPlanner helps you to identify best-performing content that will resonate with your audience, so you’ll never run out of idea! And most importantly, PostPlanner is pretty affordable compared to other alternatives.
4. Sprout Social
Sprout Social is an efficient social media marketing tool for business of all sizes. You can collaborate on items with multiple people in real-time as well as assigning tasks to your teammates. Moreover, Sprout Social has a unique feature called Smart Inbox, so you can review messages from different social accounts in one single spot.
5. eClincher
eClincher is the ultimate social media productivity system. It allows you to manage multiple social media accounts, pages, and groups with just one intuitive platform. This app also has built-in visual marketing tools, so you can edit your posts with Canva, emoji, etc. Lastly, users also have access to unlimited analytics reports for both social media and websites.
Organizing all your social accounts can be extremely stressful and overwhelming, and these tools can simplify every aspect of managing your social media. Have you heard of any of these apps? Which of these social media management tools do you use? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s #TechTuesday: Make Event Planning Easier with Tech Tools!
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday features the 10 tech tools to make event planning easier!
1. Loopd
Loopd is a system that uses Bluetooth beacons placed around an event venue and chips guests wear around their neck to enable location-tracking for planners and guests. It keeps track of which exhibit booths and sessions attendees visit and also helps with networking! With one tap, guests are able to share contact information, so forget about shuffling around to pull out your phone! Additionally, guests can receive marketing materials and fliers from all the booths they visited via the Loopd app!
2. Hootsuite
Nowadays, every event planner turns to social media to promote their event, and we don’t blame them! It reaches large audiences and is extremely easy to use! The only downside is how many social media platforms are out there. With Hootsuite, you can manage all your social media platforms in one space, so you can close all your tabs!
3. Estimote
Ever wish the TV in front of you showed you exactly what you wanted to see? Estimote, with the help of Bluetooth beacons, can personalize content displayed on digital screens for guests! These beacons communicate with the smartphone in your pocket to show information based on your interests and buying habits. Now all your guests will have a custom experience and event planners won’t need to be concerned with irrelevant content!
4. Eventbrite Organizer
Lines are a huge deterrent, especially check-in lines! Eventbrite Organizer helps cut the lines by allowing the user to scan tickets directly from their phone! Also, you are able to check real-time ticket sales and can even become a mobile box office!
5. SelfieSpott
Instead of creating elaborate backdrops with only a small space for your event logo, event planners can design a graphic overlay with their event logo and some information on the back, if desired. SelfieSpott allows guests to receive their photos instantly and ready for social media by simply texting a number! Also, with their permission, planners can have access to the numbers for a follow-up!
6. Social Tables
Creating to-scale diagrams has never been easier, so put down those toothpicks and cut-out tables and pull out your computer! With the Social Tables software, you can adjust the placement of tables and also create a seating chart for your guests. You are able to customize every aspect of it to your liking, whether it be color, size, or label! It’ll make event planning easier by far!
7. Facial Recognition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3A9_XDirW4
Looking to amaze your guests and reduce check-in lines? Zenus has constructed a kiosk that will scan and display a guest’s badge upon their approach. If you prefer a less bulky option, their facial recognition software pairs with any device that possesses a camera, like an iPad! Check-in will be quick and your guests no longer have to waste precious time waiting to be checked in!
8. Slack
If you find yourself switching between iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and other channels just to reach all your event staff, we recommend you try Slack! It’s a workplace messaging system that can help you keep all your communications in one channel. Also, you can create groups within the chat to help you keep organized!
9. Speecheo
Ditch the pen and paper! Speecheo allows all your guests to take notes while simultaneously providing feedback to the speaker! Planners and speakers can see the most popular part of the presentation, and the audience can create bookmarks and record audio to later share on social media.
10. Dropbox
Forget lugging around huge binders full of documents! Dropbox keeps all your necessary documents in one secure place. Access can also be shared among all your event staff to avoid losing printed copies and to be a little eco-friendly!
How will you make event planning easier?
We know that event planning can be extremely difficult and demanding. These tech tools are meant to help every planner be a little more organized and to make event planning easier! Are there any tech tools you use? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s #TechTuesday: Top 5 Apps for Event Engagement
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday features the top 5 apps to engage your attendees.
1. Attendify
Attendify is an event management app that includes great features, such as creating a private social network for your event. In the network, you are able to share photos, messages, and quick polls on the event timeline. Also, with this, introductions are easy! People are notified once you join the network, so everyone will know you made it.
2. CrowdCompass
CrowdCompass enables you to create an app for your event with cool features that prompt your attendees to engage with each other and your event! For example, guests can message each other one-on-one, participate in live Q&As, and take notes all in one app! Furthermore, attendees are able to create personalized schedules with an option to push notifications for reminders. Also, the event planners are able to track guest engagement and the event’s impact in easy-to-read charts and graphs.
3. Grupio
Grupio is an event app that allows you to link your social media channels, like Facebook or Twitter, to your customized app! With this feature, you and your guests are able to share their experiences through your favorite social media platform! Other features include being able to create advertisements for your sponsors to feature on the app and gamification to encourage attendee engagement.
4. Whova
Whova is an event app that gives event planners the ability to customize their own app with their brand. Some of their features include document sharing among attendees to limit paper handouts and interactive maps. Also, Whova pushes the guests to create more buzz and excitement with a convenient Twitter outlet built into the app!
5. Eventbase
Eventbase is a mobile event technology platform that allows its users to create an app for their event. Depending on the type of event, the company has a specially curated app for your event app needs! This app has a large variety of fonts and themes to cater to your preferences. Eventbase also has features such as “Around Me” that suggests people nearby and small descriptors to allow for better connections.
Which of these apps are your favorite? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s San Francisco Weekend Lineup 6/21-6/24
It’s almost Friday! ABCey brings you this week’s San Francisco Weekend Lineup with the top events in the Bay Area! It’s going to be packed with lots of LGBT pride!
Weekend Lineup: Giants LGBT Night
June 21st | 7:15pm |special event ticket package |AT&T Park
Celebrate the Bay Area’s rich LGBT culture with the San Francisco Giants! If you purchase a special event ticket package, you’ll get a ticket to the evening’s Giant’s game, access to a pre-game party, and a limited edition gift. Part of the proceeds will go towards supporting local LGBT-focused non-profits!
SF Pride Parade Celebration
June 23rd | 12pm-6pm |Tickets|Civic Center Plaza
It’s that time of year again! Come out to all the festivities to prepare for the 47th annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride! There will be inspirational speakers, music, food, and more to get you excited for the parade on Sunday.
Pink Mammoth Block Party
June 23rd | 12pm-9pm |$15-$20 Cover|119 Utah St.
The 6th annual Pink Mammoth Block Party will be happening again this year! Join in on the fun and wear all the pink you own. There will be lots of dancing, musical stylings provided by Thomas Jack and Pink Mammoth residents, and food! This year will feature the upcoming interactive Tree of Life and the Trolley Stage with a historic San Francisco Cable Car operating as a stage. Visit the Pink Mammoth Facebook Page for more info.
SF Pride Parade & Rally
June 24th | 10:30am-6pm |Tickets|Embarcadero to Civic Center
Want to really show your pride? Make a sign and come march in the parade or cheer on the crowd! There will also be festivities like inspirational speakers, music, and food to enjoy as well. This event is a special tradition that’s near and dear to SF’s heart, so join in and wear your brightest apparel!
Frameline 42, International LGBTQ Film Festival
Ends June 24th | Times Vary |Tickets|Castro Theatre
The film festival that came to town on June 14th will be closing this Sunday, June 24th! Come see some groundbreaking documentaries, cinematic classics, and heart-warming films. Don’t miss out on the longest-running, largest, and most widely LGBT cinema film exhibition in the world!
Whether you want to showcase your pride by joining a crowd in your brightest outfit, viewing an LGBT-related film, or by enjoying some baseball, there are plenty of ways to show some LGBT pride this weekend!
Are you excited for Pride Weekend? Let us know which event you’ll be attending in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
ABCey Events Tech Tuesday: Olloclip
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. In today’s #TechTuesday, we feature Olloclip the iPhone photography gadget that will step up your Instagram game!
The Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens
This extremely versatile cell phone lens is tiny and simple to use! Users can quickly change between the four lenses to get four amazing shots!
Features
The four lenses enable iPhone users to take professional and artistic photos and videos. There are four types of lenses: fisheye, wide angle, macro 10x and macro 15x! The lenses can be used on both the front and rear facing cameras so you can take awesome selfies as well! The images also come out crystal clear.
We are always looking for innovative ways to take photos of our events and these lenses enable us to do it quickly and creatively!
Bandsintown: the #1 rated concert app for iOS and Android
One of the most beloved forms of entertainment is live music. Did you know concerts can be enjoyed throughout your city everyday? ABCey Events loves to stay in the know on all the upcoming concerts, events, and happenings here in the Bay Area, and this is concert app is great for that! Bandsintown is also user friendly on both iOS and Android! This awesome app makes concert searching a breeze by allowing you to track your favorite artists and receive alerts when they are in town!
Features of the concert app, Bandsintown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycsAsGV_RpY
Scan Your Music Library
Make finding your favorite bands in town an easy process!
RSVP to Your Concert Event
Bandsintown lets you to keep track of the shows you have RSVP’d to. Wheather you are just interested or actually attending, this app keeps you in the know of events coming up! Once you’ve RSVP’d, your calendar will sync with Bandsintown so you never miss a show! Don’t forget to share your concert details with your friends on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Get Your Tickets
Once you browse Bandsintown to find the upcoming tour dates of your favorite artists, you can easily purchase tickets through hundreds of ticket sites like Ticketmaster, LiveNation, and Eventbrite. Additionally, they offer in app purchases to make it extremely easy to get your reservations on time! If there is any issue with ticket sales, there is a Feedback button to report any ticketing mistakes. Bandsintown works with Desk.com so you get fast and helpful service for any “concert going needs”.
With living in such a passionate age for live music, this concert app works hard to connect us to the artists we love! Do you love Bandsintown as much as we do? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter.
Startup Monday: Share in a Better Way with Buffer
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on, or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! In today’s Startup Monday, we highlight Buffer, a smarter way to share on social media!
Being an event professional can be overwhelming at times. To top it all off, you have to worry about social media marketing? The struggle is real! The downside of posting on social media is that you can’t be on all the time, so being able to schedule your posts can be a huge help. Well, what better way than to do all that than with Buffer? Buffer helps to manage your social media all on one platform by scheduling posts and is great for teams!
Features of Buffer
Schedule Your Posts For Later
This is the most important feature out of everything that Buffer has to offer. Ease your mind by scheduling your social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google Plus! You can also make sure your team shares posts during specific times to drive the most traffic to your website. Stay on schedule and keep those posts coming! 
Collaborate With Your Team
Avoid posting at the same time on social media with other team members! You definitely don’t want to flood your followers with a bunch of spam. Instead, collaborate smoothly and effortlessly! You’ll be able to see what your team members have lined up and can easily manage collaborations.
Identify Insights
Get the stats you need to track how you’re doing! Buffer helps you to easily visualize your social media growth. Through this, you’ll be able to track reader engagement and trends. This will not only let you know what your readers like, but also helps you to get to know your readers better.
There are over 2,500+ businesses using this web and mobile app already! Will you be using Buffer next? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
How to Use Instagram Stories for Events
In this day and age, Social media is arguably the most useful tool for event planners! Recently, Instagram has come out with a new feature, Instagram Stories, that rivals Snapchat Stories. At ABCey, we want to keep you updated with all of the newest social marketing developments and how they effect the event world. So, here are our tips so you can use Instagram Stories for your next event!
How similar are Snapchat Stories and Instagram Stories?
If you recently updated your Instagram, you’ve probably noticed little circles above your regular feed. This new feature is Instagram Stories which is their version of Snapchat Stories. Like Snapchat, Instagram Stories can be edited with text and emojis and only last for 24 hours. In addition, you can see which of your followers (similar to Snapchat friends) have seen your stories. Although they may seem the same, there are some important differences that all eventprofs should know!
How are they different for events?
1. Social Media Marketing
One huge thing that sets Instagram Stories apart from Snapchat Stories are their audiences. On Snapchat, you have to be friends with someone to watch their stories. However on Instagram, it’s a whole different story! With a private account, all your followers can view your story. But if you have a public account, anyone can see it. This means your company and upcoming events can get tons of exposure from social media marketing!
2. Privacy Feature
In addition, only Instagram Stories have a privacy feature. This feature lets you block anyone from seeing your story. Take advantage of this for your events, and keep the event a secret from certain followers! Also, you can reward your followers by making your account private for a certain period. During that time, you can post special coupons or inside info on your story and only your loyal followers can see these prizes!
3. Permanent Posting From Your Story
Although Snapchat and Instagram Stories are alike, Instagram has some extra bonus features! Now you can easily take videos or images of an event from your story and post them permanently on your Instagram. This keeps the memory of an event alive, even when the event is over!
4. Audience Interaction
Instead of a chronological order like Snapchat, Instagram Stories are sorted by who you interact with the most. Now you can see who your best followers are and reward them with prizes! Also, it’s super important to engage with your guests! Encourage them to post event images and ask questions on their Instagram story. After, give your guests a unique event experience by answering their questions and giving them a shout out on your story or by directly messaging them!
5. Use Snapchat How To’s
Because this feature is similar to Snapchat Stories, you can use these Snapchat event tips for your Instagram! Instagram Stories give you great features of Snapchat and more of their of their own. You can post everything from behind-the-scenes footage of the event production process to shout outs from important speakers and sponsored advertisements during your events!
Do you plan to use Instagram Stories for your events? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
5 Tips to Successfully Use Instagram for Your Event Business
Instagram has easily become one of the most popular social media apps. In 2016, it’s estimated that 500+ million people use Instagram monthly, 300 million daily, and 58% of Instagram users are 18-29 years old. Why is this important to Event Profs? Because this means Instagram can allow you to reach a larger audience, including millenials!
There are tons of research on the Instagram usage and the ways businesses can utilize it. Also, it’s important to stay up to date with what’s going on with your instagram account. So ABCey Events has created 5 tips to successfully use Instagram for your event business!
1. What to post
First, you need an Instagram account! If you don’t have one, just scroll down to #5 for tips to create the perfect account. Okay, you have an account or just created one, but now what? What do I post? hint: See below to see what types of content to post!
Types of Posts
1. Have a story: Let your followers feel like they are a part of your business and on the inside of the event action with story-like posts! However, don’t post straight advertisements. Instead, have a variety of images from selfies to video interviews. There is no limit to the content you post!
Similarly, studies suggest users want to experience the story rather than see plain objects. Salesforce found most users liked, “amusing, creative, beautiful, and inspiring” content. So maximize your Instagram reach by captivating images, posting entire event processes, features of event speakers and famous attendees, inspirational quotes, and especially human faces!
2. Relatable posts: Keep followers by posting stuff they can relate to! By fusing scenes and possible scenarios that can happen in everyday life with your products and services, followers can see how useful your products and services are!
https://www.instagram.com/p/0tpeJfAUUf/?taken-by=nike
3. Business posts: Advertise your business by posting your sponsors, events, and brand. Do this by sharing images about your sponsors in colorful and fun photos. Additionally, try to get other users, special guests, and famous people to post/tag/hashtag about your event and company. More and more people are basing their decisions on what they see on social media. Therefore, you can grow your business by having ambassadors give you some exposure!
But be careful! No one wants their entire feed filled with obvious advertisements. Learn about event marketing on Instagram below (#4 Instagram for Events).
2. Strategic Posting
Previously, we mentioned that Instagram accounts are more successful when the types of posts are different. But here are other things you can do to boost likes, follows, and comments!
1. Editing your posts: Studies have found what specific aspects of a post make them more popular. They found more people like photos with the Mayfair filter! Also, the 2nd and 3rd most liked filtered photos are #nofilter and Inkwell, respectively. In addition, you’re more likely to get likes on images that are brighter with a single dominant color, especially blue, and background space than others! Don’t forget to use Geographical locations and connect with users by a shared location. Check out Curalate’s full study for more tips.
2. Posting times: Don’t pester and annoy followers! If you are posting multiple times a day, spread them out. However, most studies suggest posting only 5-7 times throughout the week. Specifically, your best bet is to get the most likes by posting on Wednesday from 5-6pm! Additionally, don’t stress about posting right on time and schedule posts with apps like Hootsuite and Schedugram.
3. Gain followers, grow your business
1. Instagram interaction: By interacting with users, you’re sure to gain and keep followers! First off, you can simply ask questions and inviting captions that lead people to comment. From re-gramming someone’s post related to your business/event, tagging companies, responding to comments, commenting on and liking posts, and giving shout outs to your loyal followers, show your followers you care and value their support!
2. Spoil your followers: Reward your followers well by posting announcements, contests, and special offers! You can have them follow, like photos, comment, hashtag, and tag your account to be entered to win prizes and special offers! This encourages people to follow you, as they will be the first to see when you are holding contests. Now you have followers promoting your event and business to others!
4. Instagram for Events
Now, for all you event profs, we have Instagram tricks to make your next event a success!
1. #Hashtag: Make sure you use hashtags to help people discover your Instagram. Use both specific hashtags and popular hashtags so people can find your event/company easily! One study found that interactions increased with 11 hashtags, but most studies suggested using 5-10 hashtags. If your choose to include many, hide them by commenting your hashtags or hiding them many lines below your main caption. This way followers don’t get annoyed seeing them!
2. The Event: You can use Instagram to entertain your attendees and market your next event! Encourage users to post images and include your event specific hashtag in the caption. Then, companies like instafeedlive, will display them on screens around the event, making your guests feel special!
In addition, by simply using your event hashtag, your guests can leave your event with memorabilia! Printers, like Photoboxx and Luster, scan Instagram for your event hashtag and print the images out instantly. Also, you can allow guests to print a postcard and polaroid picture when they hashtag their photos! Learn more about them here. So give your event and company immediate publicity and get these tools at your next event!
3. Event hype: When showing the story of your event, there are tons of things to capture! Post about the event before, during, and after to keep the event fresh in your follower’s minds. First get them excited with behind the scene images of the venue set up with your event team hard at work! Moreover, use Instagram to not only remind followers when tickets go on sale, but also hype up attendees with event fliers and countdown day photos. This makes them feel like they are right in the middle of the everything happening at the event!
5. Creating Perfect Profile
Your profile is extremely important as it’s how they judge your account! Therefore, you need to be sure that your Instagram looks like something they should follow.
1. Your Bio: First, create a bio description that is short, fun, and interesting. But it still needs to say your business name or who you are, what your business does, and make it unique!
2. Get them to your website: If you didn’t know, links on your photo captions don’t work. Thus, the only link to get people to your website is in your bio. So make sure you include your website link, and any other informative names you want people to search and find you by (ex: Event Planner).
3. First impression/Profile pic: Along with photos and your bio, users see your profile picture first. Get a good quality photo of your logo or a picture that represents your company to bring in more followers!
How are you going to use Instagram at your next event? Tell use in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter. Also, follow us on Instagram!
Startup Monday: Last minute hotels with Hotel Tonight
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on, or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! Today, we want to highlight Hotel Tonight, a useful app that helps you to book hotels last minute!
Event planning can get hectic and with your busy schedule, you might forget to book a hotel for you or your attendees. Don’t be forced to pay these outrageous prices that can rise up to 300%. At ABCey, we have an app to solve this problem: Hotel Tonight! This app was awarded the best-on-demand service at the 8th annual tech Crunchie Awards and definitely deserved it! Of course you should always try to book hotels in advance. But if you are stuck in a bind, Hotel Tonight is a great app that gives you the best prices for last minute hotel reservations.
Booking last minute hotels with Hotel Tonight:
After downloading the app on your mobile phone, you’ll have a great variety of available rooms! Also, we love this app because it includes the mood of the hotel. From hip to charming, you can experience hotels like never before! By comparing major travel sites, Hotel Tonight gives you the best hotel options and the biggest bang for your buck. Additionally, if you introduce this app to someone, both you and your friend get $25 off their first stay. But there’s more! They have amazing 24/7 customer support to ensure your last minute hotel reservation is perfect. So if you’re in a bind for a hotel, try out Hotel Tonight to get your last minute room for the best price and the best experience!
Have you used Hotel Tonight before or are you thinking of using this app? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and on Twitter!