I want to also give MTV props for their Twitter use.  They had iJustine on spot monitoring the number of tweets generated around the event.  With use of Radian6 Social Media Monitoring technology they were able to create this great tweet visualizer below.

This past weekend was a blast.  The Upright Citizens Brigade played host to the 11th. annual Del Close improv marathon.  I was able to sit in on a number of great, and not so great, comedy acts from people all over the country.  It really helped put my mind in to perspective around what it is that I am trying to do out here.  

By talking to people in line, I was able to gain insight in to the various improv classes offered throughout the city.  I really don’t want to wait until the UCB opens up classes that I would be able to take, so in the mean time I now know of other options that are available to me.

On top of the performance aspect of it all, I followed all of the Twitter-chatter.  Social Media is a hot topic in every industry, comedy not excluded.  For how many bits and references there were to these online communication giants, there wasn’t any ongoing promotion around asking those in attendance to actually use them in connecting with others. 

So, I provide to you a list of random insight around the event as well a recommendation around where DCM can take online interaction in the years to come.

• Watching multiple performers from various locations across the U.S. stimulates your passion for the art.
• Ranging Smells:  The UCB Theatre was the biggest culprit here.  Within the time period that I sat in one location, the smell of the theatre transformed from spaghetti-o’s to tuna, finally ending with a mixture that was recognizable as Big-Mac.
• Some performers you fall in love with and others you dread.  I found myself mixing and matching individuals from different groups in my head.
• Great mixture of Raw, Fresh, Talent and Season Professionals.
• Apparently bed bugs are a NYC issue.
• Don’t rely on technology to take notes.  Throughout the weekend I just entered any and all thoughts that I had in to my iPhone.  When I went to sync it with my computer it deleted all of them.  FML.
• Sweat in line just to sit in a sweaty theatre. It’ll be worth it.
• If you’re tired and are a snorer, it’s probably smart not to fall asleep in the auditorium.
• I ate a lot of Pizza.  And that was by choice.
• Grandmothers should not take their 2 year old grandson to an improv marathon, no matter what the situation may be.
• You just gotta do it.

More Social Integration at Future Del Close Marathon’s

The Del Close Marathon website is great because it is a reference guide. That is clearly established and you can’t get lost. It offers an ongoing list of performances by time, location, actor, etc. and also provides a description of each of them.

One of the largest improvements that I believe should happen for the Del Close Marathon in future years is to promote social networking.  Both on their webpage, through promotional materials and some how throughout the course of the event.  Personally, I know I met a few people by following the hashtag #DCM11 on Twitter so there is ample opportunity to connect with others. Towards the beginning there were tweets going out about using the aforementioned hashtag, but that should have been established beforehand. 

It’s not a whole lot of work, it just takes someone to spend the time to keep Social Media on top of mind.  The UCB already had a dedicated twitter handler @UCBTheatreNY and DCM had on-site photogrpahers who often sent out a twitter message directing people to their photos.  All these need to be fed in to one centralized location so that the attendees can revel in the public documentation that occurred.

Below is the trend of the hashtag DCM11 on Twitter, with the most number of tweets peaking on Saturday with 148.

#DCM11 Twitter Trend

I’m sure this graph would be about the same but with a higher volume in tweet counts (378 total to date), and probably with a spike earlier on rather than a gradual hump  from anticipation of the event.  As time passes within the next few days, YouTube and Blog activity will probably increase, as of now there is a total of about 5 collective mentions in platforms outside of Twitter.

There may be a central location with a social feed but I haven’t heard of it.  So, next year let’s incorporate it.  I’m ready and willing to help!

In a recent case study titled Surprise: Twitter Refers the LEAST Fickle Video Viewers by the video distribution and tracking service TubeMogul, they reveal that on average, audiences clicking on video links from Twitter watch a video 36.91% longer than viewers referred by Facebook and 49.98% longer than viewers referred by Digg.

Now social bookmarking / news submission websites and social networks are definitely an integral part of online marketing, but this report goes to show the quality of niched audiences on Twitter. So, spend more time nurturing those twits that are following you on Twitter because they’ll be the ones more likely to appreciate your material.

My NYC trip via my tweet stream.  I just wanted to add that I was highly disappointed that Late Night with Jimmy Fallon was not taping when I was there, and I was going to stand in line to try and get a standby ticket for SNL but it was cancelled for some reason.  All good things though.  I wish I would have talked about the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre a bit more.  It was great there.  Without further ado – here you are:

Frank’s NYC Tweets, May 2009

off to bed. trying to get back in to the grove of things after the trip.1:10 AM May 4th from web 

  
  



Oh PA turnpike. Did not miss you.8:41 AM May 3rd from TwitterFon 

  
  





Famiglias is so good. I wish there were $5 pizza though.1:22 AM May 3rd from TwitterFon 

  
  



A night of Therapy in NYC!11:44 PM May 2nd from TwitterFon 

  
  



Is there anywhere cool to watch SNL in midtown NYC?10:07 PM May 2nd from TwitterFon 

  
  



I wish I could go to SNL tonight! I need a standby ticket6:47 PM May 2nd from TwitterFon 

  
  



Intermission, everyone is getting their drink on. #RockofAges3:16 PM May 2nd from TwitterFon 

  
  



These whole cast numbers in @RockofAges are stellar.3:15 PM May 2nd from TwitterFon 

  
  



Going to see @RockofAges at 2! It should be great. Love me some Jovi.1:31 PM May 2nd from TwitterFon 

  
  



“you don’t need pupils if you have eyeballs” #quote1:13 AM May 2nd from TwitterFon 

  
  



@HAIRtribe was AWESOME. On stage after the show! Let the sun shine! http://twitpic.com/4doyx10:41 PM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



@HAIRtribe I love that Berger touches audience members! Now that is interactive.9:31 PM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



Great cast. It makes me want to do bad things. http://twitpic.com/4dj7f9:29 PM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



Yea man. Age of Aquarius. http://twitpic.com/4dc818:07 PM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



Walked in to @hairtribe, I’ll let you know how it is!8:04 PM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



I’m drenched. Rosies Broadway Kids deliveries in the pouring rain! http://twitpic.com/4cxn75:17 PM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



At the Paley Center for Media = Love it. #NYC #museum12:25 PM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



2 years ago today I was introduced to May Day.10:44 AM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



@D_C_Evans hanging out with my friend Aubrey. Being a BA. The usual.10:44 AM May 1st from TwitterFon in reply to D_C_Evans

  
  



Good morning NYC, free hand sanitizer on 42nd and Broadway!10:06 AM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  



RT @tweetsayings: I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate. – GB6:56 AM May 1st from TwitterFon 

  
  

  
  



It’s sprinklin’ down in NYB http://twitpic.com/4b85f10:21 PM Apr 30th from TwitterFon 

  
  



Oh whoa. People praying in Duane Reade.9:08 PM Apr 30th from TwitterFon 

  
  



There’s nothing like 3 hours of improv to clear the nerves9:06 PM Apr 30th from TwitterFon 

  
  



UCB was awesome. Off to meet aubs.9:01 PM Apr 30th from TwitterFon 

  
  



If it wasn’t for NYC, starbucs would be out of business.3:31 PM Apr 30th from TwitterFon 

  
  



Going to the UCBtheatre tonight to see Scott Adsit11:12 AM Apr 30th from TwitterFon 

  
  

 




Goodbye Pittsburgh! See you Sunday!6:55 AM Apr 30th from TwitterFon 

  
  



off to #NYC in the morning. if you’re in the area, DM me!11:17 PM Apr 29th from web