Facebook. Twitter. YouTube. Flickr. These are common social networking sites that you may use regularly to keep up with friends, colleagues, news, and information. Now you can keep up with the ACR on these sites too.
Social media is made up of numerous online tools that people use to connect with one another, including social networks. A common misconception about social media is that it is difficult to understand and use. The ACR is currently using some of the most popular social media outlets, and with a little practice, you can too.
The ACR on Facebook
Facebook is used by millions of people to keep up with friends, upload photos, and share links and videos. The ACR’s Facebook page is a resource for ongoing information and updates related to the ACR, ARHP, REF, and the 2010 annual meeting. Become a fan today by visiting www.facebook.com/rheumatology. We invite you to send your favorite photos from the annual meeting and ACR events throughout the year, and we will share your fond memories with ACR’s Facebook community.
The ACR on Flickr
Flickr is an online photo management and sharing application—and a fun way to stay in the loop and feel like you are part of the action. View photos from various ACR events including the annual meeting, advocacy trips to Capitol Hill, and more by visiting www.flickr.com/americancollegeofrheumatology.
The ACR on YouTube
Visit the ACR’s YouTube channel—www.youtube.com/amercollrheumatology—for videos highlighting events and activities related to the ACR’s 75th anniversary, the annual meeting, advocacy trips to Capitol Hill, and more. Our cameras will be rolling during the annual meeting and we are sure to capture exciting and thought-provoking moments—starring you.
The ACR on Twitter
An official ACR Twitter account was unveiled in June in conjunction with opening of advanced registration and housing for the annual meeting and joins the existing ACR social media initiatives. Twitter allows users to post short updates or Web links (no more than 140 characters) for their followers. If you are not already using Twitter, you can join by visiting www.twitter.com and clicking “Sign Up.” You only need to enter your desired username, real name, and an optional 160-character bio to get started.
User communities on Twitter share links to interesting content, keep in touch with old friends and colleagues, and form new relationships—both virtual and face to face. Meeting attendees can find ACR news and updates on Twitter before, during, and after the annual meeting. Follow the ACR on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/ACRheum.
Twitter is only as valuable as your network. To begin finding rheumatology-related people and organizations on Twitter, visit http://search.twitter.com and search for mentions of rheumatology keywords—you are sure to find ongoing relevant conversations. The number sign, or hashtag, is used on Twitter to convey the writer’s subject matter so it can be indexed and accessed in other users’ feeds. Tweets about the 2010 annual meeting sent by the ACR and other users should contain the official conference hashtag—#ACR2010. A search on Twitter for the term #ACR2010 will display recent tweets that reference the annual meeting.
Make sure you take advantage of the new social media networking opportunities offered in and around the 2010 annual meeting to network with colleagues before, during, and after the annual meeting and to stay up to date on important ACR news throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you online and on-site in Atlanta for the 2010 annual meeting!
For additional information about the annual meeting, visit www.rheumatology.org/education.
