Does it feel like the person you paid thousands of dollars to speak at your event is gone as soon as they’re done talking?

It doesn’t have to be that way. That and more in today’s Social Media Roundup:

Less Talking, More Planning

A Speaker Should Do More Than Talk At A Conference [So True!] by @thomsinger #speakchat #eventprofs http://t.co/mp1aldch

— Jeff Hurt (@JeffHurt) December 13, 2012

Know how we know we’re getting close to Christmas? Well, “Conference Catalyst” Thom Singer is working a smart series called “The 12 Days of Conference.” Singer’s entry from the other day, “A Speaker Should Do More Than Talk at a Conference,” is a gift for event planners: In it, Singer suggests that planners work closely with public speakers to help them make sure they’re doing more than speaking for an hour and hopping on a plane. “Waiting until the week of the event to invite the speaker to stay for the happy hour will not fly, as speakers have busy schedules and some do not like the social side of a conference in the first place,” he explains. “Knowing expectations on both sides will eliminate any surprises.” How do you ensure that your speakers aren’t so quick to leave? (ht @JeffHurt)

Like Peas in a Pod

Keeping Members Content with Good Content on @associationsnow (Fits in with today's blog post: http://t.co/H765oW7o.) http://t.co/77pI8VjA

— Aaron Wolowiec (@aaronwolowiec) December 13, 2012

Yesterday, we talked content. Today, Event Garde’s Aaron Wolowiec talks curation. Coincidence? We think not. In his piece, Wolowiec explains the how, what, and why that are so valuable to creating curated content and notes that if you do it well, it becomes more than the sum of its parts. “It quickly becomes evident that a simple content curation strategy could easily help qualify some of this information, further promoting the organization as a valuable resource and content expert,” he says.

What cool stuff are you reading online today? Let us know in the comments.