Based on best practices of 3 Google Hangouts around Rio+20

+ Hangoutsat the UN

WHAT IS A GOOGLE+ HANGOUT?

A free video chat service from Google that enables both one-on-one chats and group chats with up to ten people at a t ime.

DEFINITION:

People around the world

Who want to share their thoughts and knowledge

And discuss about it with others

At a very low cost

and keep this discussion recorded for later

WHY A DISCUSSION?

To make your Google+ Hangout

A SUCCESS

10 STEPS

Focused

Emotional

Of general interest

Relevant for a 20-40 years old audience

If possible event-related

Choose a challenging tit le can be a question like: “Does youth really care about Rio+20?”

1. CHOOSE A GOOD TOPIC

Up to 9 people can join a Hangout

7 bil l ion people can watch it, live or delayed

Invite a celebrity (high-level UN, show biz, Nobel)

Choose participants who Have a special l ink to the subject

(experts, witnesses) Are good speakers Are ready to share and ask questions Can answer l ive questions on-the-spot

2. CHOOSE THE PARTICIPANTS

A good moderator should:

Know the subject/topic

Have discussed with the participants before

Be dynamic, speak clearly and shortly

Be able to manage the unexpected

Encourage the discussion among the participants

3. CHOOSE A MODERATOR

There is no ideal time -> but it is recorded!

Know where your main audience will be

Consider the age of your audience

Consider promoting the Hangout the days before

45 minutes of Hangout = 2 hours of availability for the participants

(incl. testing, off-air briefing) 3 hours on day D for the organizers 1-2 weeks of preparation in advance (part-time)

4. CHOOSE A DATE/TIME

Schedule al l activit ies from setup to the end

Schedule everyone’s interventions

Questions from moderator: 30’’ max

Answers from participants: 2’30’’ max

Insert prepared questions in the script

Allow time for questions coming l ive

Don’t be too harsh if the discussion goes smoothly

5. WRITE A SCRIPT

Give the Hangout a tit le (may be a question)

Write a description: Tell the world why you want those people to meet Present the participants (name, position, etc)

Inform your network in time to ensure promotion

Make a short promo video with the guest star

6. SHARE INFORMATION

The day before

With all participants

Go through the script with them

Ensure they’re ok to answer the proposed questions

Check everyone’s equipment/background/light

Go live for 3 minutes to see how it looks

Delete the test from your account

7. ORGANIZE A REHEARSAL

Just before:

Post the description and name/position of participants on the Google+ page

Start the Hangout about 30 minutes before going “on air” to allow anyone to join and relax

Promote the link and time of the “on air”

Take some pictures to post on social media

8. GO LIVE!

During the Hangout:

Check that the screen is following the speaker

Live tweet

Monitor questions coming from the social media

Communicate with participants through the chat

Keep your t iming, don’t go over 45’!

8. GO LIVE!

Share the l ink on the social media channels “you missed it? ….”

Storify the Hangout with the tweets and other posts

Thank the people who shared and tweeted and of course the participants

9. RELAX

Some people may discover the Hangout later

Continue promoting it in the following days, in your newsletters, make a website story about it, etc.

Edit the best quotes and make it a separate video

Check the # views regularly and re-promote it whenever relevant

10. RECYCLE

Good luck!brigitte@upwell ing.net

+1-347-449-2656

@uPwell ing