If you’re reading this blog, chances are you are a planner who is using online tools and social networking sites to build your events and communicate with your members.  I recently read a checklist that included some of the many avenues available including: setting up a Twitter account for your event as well as Twitter hashtags; adding the event to Upcoming; asking people to participate on Linkedin; setting up carpooling on the event Web site; making your audience aware of the flickr tag for your event so they can post or search photos; announcing your event on Facebook; having a Google Map with directions to the destination; using Meetup to connect with potential attendees; encouraging members to blog about the event.

The list goes on and on. While the task of keeping up with online communications sometimes seems daunting, remember that you are inviting interaction that eventually should make your job easier or at least more rewarding. Use your audience to spread the word, which is what I am trying to do here.

Need another reason to use these tools? It is hard to ignore the stats in this video:

In the April issue of Rejuvenate, we cover many of these online resources and tools in our 2010 Tech Guide. If you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up here. We’d like to hear from you about the tools you rely on for your faith-based meetings. Please share your experiences with other planners in this very special community by responding in the comments area below, e-mailing me at cborn@collinsonmedia.com or joining in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.