Recovery Month's New Media Newsletter for September

	Can't read this? Click to view on the web. Share this Newsletter on: Facebook Twitter Recovery Month Luncheon Live Stream Opens Event to Thousands On September 4, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics and the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) hosted the 24th Annual National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) Luncheon to unite the recovery community in celebration of the beginning of the observance.  At the luncheon, there were nearly 2,000 people in attendance – the majority of whom joined the luncheon from their computers. For the first time in history, the annual luncheon was broadcasted live, allowing people from around the world to join the event through a live-streaming platform on their computers and/or mobile devices – a technology similar to that of live television broadcasts – on the EIC website. The live stream allowed 1,776 people to tune into the event online –10 times more than the number of people who were physically in attendance.  Those who tuned in, as well as those who were not able to watch the luncheon in real time, are still able to still watch clips from the event on the EIC TV website. Over the past year, live-stream technology has become increasingly accessible.  Last month YouTube extended live-streaming capabilities to any channel with 100 or more subscribers, essentially making it free for organizations to open events to a larger audience.  To learn more about live streaming for your organization, visit the YouTube help center, where you can find step-by-step instructions for getting this process started.
	TIPS OF THE MONTH In this month’s case study, we explored live streaming as a way to extend offline events to your online community.  Below, you will find tips on ways to extend the reach of events to an online audience through platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  For more information, read the full article on Hubspot.  Use existing assets. Prior to the event, use your social media pages to promote your event to an existing audience. Facebook allows users to post information about events by creating an “event” on its page. This functionality allows you to raise awareness of your event with the community that is already invested in your organization. It provides a space to share logistical information about the event, gauge interest, and answer questions from invitees ahead of time. You can also use Twitter to tweet event details.  Live tweet. Post real-time updates through Twitter so that those who cannot attend, or watch live from their computers, can feel connected to the event, despite not having a physical presence. Live tweeting also encourages in-person attendees to take part in an online discussion, spreading the reach of the event to their networks. Live stream.  A live stream of the event is as close to in-person attendance as online users can get. It allows users to follow along if they cannot be in the room. Many of these platforms even allow for commentary or feedback from the online users. Share photo and video content.  Following the event, posting photos and video clips of the event will extend the life of it. It also encourages people to continue the online discussion long after the event has ended. Allow people to visit the full site.  As mobile content is simplified so readers can more easily digest it, it is important to provide links back to the website for those who want more information.