Our recent live blog using Coveritlive was certainly an interesting experience. However after reflection and feedback I’ve come to some conclusions.

1 Publicise the live blog well, ensuring all publicity has correct time and working links.

2 Explain how a live blog works, that a screen will display within the blog post at the start time and you don’t need any special software or technical knowledge to make comments. Although participation is encouraged, there’s no pressure, you can just read the ongoing discussion.

3 Double check that the live blog is live on the blog post once you launch the live blog.

4 Introduce yourself and your co-producers and panelists and the topic of the live blog.

5 Have one person (producer) responsible for moderating comments who only allows relevant comments. Better fewer comments than irrelevant comments which can lead the discussion off topic.

6 Have at least one producer and one panelist with knowledge of the topic briefed and ready to do live chat and then even if you don’t get any comments there will be an interesting discussion, which stays on topic, for viewers to watch which may encourage viewers to participate.

7 If producers and/or panelists need to communicate over the progress of the live blog, don’t communicate through live blog use some other form of live messaging.

Live blogging can easily degenerate either in to chaos or a empty space if you’re not well prepared for the event.

Do you have any tips to add to help other live bloggers pull off a successful event?