Comments on: 10 Reasons Why You Should Use A Back Channel At Your Conference

By: MasterNewMedia Trends And Predictions For 2010 And Beyond – Part 2 « Argument

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:57:14 +0000

[...] media technologies will play a big role in this, as events will rapidly see as a basic requirement the integration of back-channels, the provision of digital facilities for participants to learn and contact each other [...]

By: It’s Halloween: Are Your Events Haunted by the Blackberry Prayer? « Interactive Meeting Technology

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:05:51 +0000

[...] Setup A Backchannel [...]

By: Jeff Hurt

Jeff Hurt — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:03:40 +0000

@Dave Lutz (@VelChain)
Thanks for adding your comments. Yes, #4 is a great way to get some real time feedback and if that speaker is presenting a second time and the feedback was negative, you can try to make changes onsite quickly.

I also agree that it can be tough for a speaker to monitor the back channel although I think all speakers should know how to handle hecklers and negative comments during their presentation. I’m not a fan of filtering the back channel although I know there are some systems that allow that. I’m of the belief that you can’t control the conversation and hiding negative or unprofessional comments from the audience is a sign of a lack of transparency. I’ve watched online communities police the attendees on their own and manage “jerks” without the organizer’s assistance.

Thanks again.

By: Jeff Hurt

Jeff Hurt — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:03:11 +0000

By: Dave Lutz

Dave Lutz — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:21:16 +0000

Jeff, another winning post! I’m a very focused person, so usually get more out of a presentation when not being distracted by the back channel and engaging directly. I’m all about F2F! With that said, I do see the benefits, especially as it pertains to extending the reach of your events with virtual participants.

Other main reasons for a back channel, echo Christina’s and others.

1) If the meeting host doesn’t create the back channel, the attendees will do it on their own. (not good community leadership)

2) Increasing interactivity, including virtual participants. More learning happens.

3) Connecting/Networking – OK I admit it. I follow people that ask really smart questions or give helpful advice from the back channel. Connections are everything in my/our business.

4) Real-time qualitative feedback. If you’re in charge of education, you’ll get a lot more info on whether to invite a speaker back by scanning the back channel than you will likely get from real surveys. (don’t tell my technology clients this one).

There also can be a dark and interruptive side to back channels. If I’m speaking and trying to monitor the back channel…and some jerk-off posts negative comments, incomplete thoughts or incorrect information, it can really take things off track for both the in-person and virtual participants. Back Channels need jerk-off filters!

By: 18 Tips To Make Your Event Webcast Rock! « Interactive Meeting Technology

18 Tips To Make Your Event Webcast Rock! « Interactive Meeting Technology — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:13:01 +0000

[...] 7. Setup a Backchannel: Virtual participants need to lean over and whisper comments to their neighbor, too. So, use a backchannel to help them chat. This could be through the Hashtag or a private chat. If this is a commercial conference or an association conference – please use Twitter as part of your solution. It is much easier for everyone. (Backchannel Explained by Jeff Hurt) [...]

By: Jeff Hurt

Jeff Hurt — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:47:04 +0000

@Glenn – Thanks for stopping by and adding your comments. I greatly appreciate it.

As a presenter, you know the value of following a back channel during the presentation. As the meeting professional, I’ve learned to put a monitor in the floor for the presenter so they don’t have to turn around a look at a screen if we are using image magnification for a back channel stream, or so they don’t have to look at their lap top. I also have a moderator that helps the presenter keeping track of any questions that may have passed by that are good for the presenter to address.

I look forward to the day that I see you in action at a face-to-face event too!

By: Glenn Thayer

Glenn Thayer — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:39:36 +0000

A back channel is a necessity! Associations are able to get to the pulse of what is happening in their meetings and conferences in real time. I love the fact that I can be moderating a conference and I’m able to address the concerns of the audience that are brought up virtually and in person. There’s no waiting to clarify points or misunderstandings. It brings so much more value to the attendees (live and online).

Isn’t is awesome that so many of us attend conference sessions via Twitter (not in person), and we are still able to contribute to the session.

Thanks Jeff for such relevant posts!

Glenn Thayer
The Voice Of Meetings & Events
@glennthayer

By: Jeff Hurt

Jeff Hurt — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:04:25 +0000

@Christina – I agree that meeting planners may have less of a choice and more of a neccessity for using the back channel. I’m like you too, as a virtual attendee, I look for the takeaways from others tweeting from the event. It really boils down highpoints and gems that are worth remembering.

@Midori – My, my, my. How could I have forgetten the obvious: networking and fun! Thanks for adding those here and they are two excellent reasons too!

By: associationjam.org

associationjam.org — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:43:40 +0000

10 Reasons Why You Should Use A Back Channel At Your Conference…

“A back channel is where attendees are texting or tweeting information about a presentation or event using SMS, a chat function or Twitter… So why should you encourage and use a back channel at your next conference or event?” Jeff Hurt has 10 + 1 g…