Today, we are having our 5th Social Media Lunchbox on LiveBlogging.

In the interest of practicing what we preach, yes, we are liveblogging this unmeeting. We’re liveblogging by talking about our talk on liveblogging. After that quasi-palindromic sentence, I’ll have to pause, to give some of our readers a moment to pick up the pieces of your blown mind.

So, if you are reading this in real time, keep in mind, it is being written in real time, so bear with us through and typos, or lack of linearity, as we type and click away,  to get you the most up-to-the-minute information from out lunchbox.

Without further ado, let’s get to the meat of the matter.

1. Why LiveBlog?
2. Posting Preparedness
3. Physical Considerations
4. Live by the Microchip, Die by the Microchip

Why LiveBlog?

The “Value Add”: Liveblogging give your readers access to the exclusive conference or event you’re going to. It provides them with content.

Why not just blog later? Because the most authoritative reporter is the one who breaks the story. We care about immediacy. We want the inside scoop, as fast as possible. In the case of conferences and events, if you can’t be there, following it in real-time is the next best thing. Remember, this is a form of citizen journalism.

Promotion: Anyone can blog about an event. But liveblogging is your way to stand out among the pack. Not to mention, it gets the attention with the conference organizers and presenters.

Posting Preparedness

Do the event organizers know you will be liveblogging the event? Send a quick e-mail to let the event’s organizers know. Be courteous, but more importantly, be convincing. This will not be difficult: It’s more exposure for them.

Will you be posting in advance to announce that you will be liveblogging said event? You can post this announcement on the blog, you can announce it via Twitter, you can make the announcement via mass e-mail.. Do so at your own discretion! What happens if your technology fails (More on this later)? What if you miss part of the event? It is better to announce and not liveblog? Or to not liveblog at all?

Draft your post beforehand. Put together a draft frame for the article. Include the event’s (and/or organization sponsoring the event) website. Does the organization or the event have a blog? A Twitter handle? A LinkedIn or Facebook page? Include them all. Post links, and check them. Then check them again. Include any images that you already have. Are there specific sessions that you will be attending? Put in all the necessary headings. A good rule of thumb for your draft post is to include all information that you already have and will be planning to post. Also, remember to include in your post title that you are liveblogging “X” event.

Use blog drafting software. We recommend ScribeFire. ScribeFire is a Firefox plugin that saves your drafts locally, freeing you from your blog’s server, so if your internet connection fails, you don’t lose your unsaved changes.

Physical Considerations

Pick a logistically optimal spot in the event. If you plan on taking pictures, or recording videos, make sure to sit somewhere so you can see all the speakers and any projector screens.

Live by the Microblog, Die by the Microchip

Prepare in advance for Murphy’s Law!

Don’t rely on the internet connection provided. If any is provided at all. Have a backup plan handy.

Prepare all your computer’s hardware and software. The last thing you want to do is to arrive and realize that your computer doesn’t have the right driver for your air card–and the event has no WiFi. Check all your hardware and software in advance. Provide yourself with a hardware checklist: Laptop? Charger? Extension cord? Air card? Camera (see below)? Check the list again. Then once more.

Pack extra camera supplies. If you plan on taking pictures/video, make sure your camera is prepared, and with backups. Make sure to bring extra batteries. Have a spare memory card on hand. If your laptop doesn’t have one built in, bring a card reader or USB cable. Set up a folder on your computer where you’ll be uploading the software. Have your photo-editing software ready (and tested) to resize any pictures down to the appropriate size (and have an extra folder where you’ll put these optimized images, so there’s no need to fish for them when you’re uploading).   

Some Final Considerations:

If you plan on taking video, it’s always a good idea to post video after the event the is over, because this process always takes a much longer time. At your own discretion, you can indicate that you will posting video.

Always allow for ample time post-event. You need 20-30 minutes to finish the pieces, tie up loose ends, and get the post out. If anything went wrong during the event, you’ll obviously need more time than that.

Most importantly: Don’t panic! Keep your cool, and take pride in being the journalist with the inside scoop. Be good to your readers, and give them what they came to see.

Good luck, and give us some great live posts!

Update (6/10/09 1:30pm): I used ScribeFire for liveblogging. I had followed my own advice and prepared draft posts in advance, and was publishing as I went. Lo and behold, ScribeFire gave out! (OK, in its defense, I probably hit the “Clear Content” button myself on accident.)

Fortunately, I had a hardcopy available, and our Fearless Social Media Leader, Todd Pitt, stepped in and retyped the post and kept updating as I spoke. So, yes, Murphy’s Law is alive and well. HAVE BACKUPS! Then have backups to your backups.

And thank you, Todd!