by on April 2, 2012
One of the best ways for small businesses to build their networks and increase their influence is by participating in Twitter Chats. Twitter chats are Twitter-based conversations that anyone can participate in and are kept on track through the use of a #hashtag, or topic with a hash symbol (“#”) at the start to identify it. There are currently more than 600 ongoing Twitter Chats, ranging from weekly to monthly discussions on a wide variety of topics. You can review an exhaustive list of ongoing chats maintained at the Twitter Chat Schedule.
Participating in a Twitter chat is a great way to network and interact with other people who may also share your professional and personal passions. It is also an excellent way to introduce yourself and your business to key influencers with whom you want to connect.
Be Strategic
Look for a chat where you can bring value to the conversation. For example, I moderate #CollegeChat twice a month on Tuesday evenings. Most of the chats I moderate are in question and answer format and include an “expert” guest on a particular topic. I first met the majority of my guest experts by their attending and participating in a previous #CollegeChat. My guests have included professors, authors, independent higher education experts and business owners targeting the higher education market. With hundreds of ongoing Twitter chats, you should be able to find a number of chats that are ideal for both networking and for your business. Perhaps you have developed a business tool, application, or book that you are targeting to business to business marketers? Then you might want to check out #B2Bchat. A recent #B2Bchat focused on “Facebook for B2B -The Times They Are a-Changin’.
Expand your Knowledge
Also consider joining in Twitter chats just to expand your knowledge. Have you been considering adding a blog to your website but really don’t know where to start? Consider checking out #Blogchat on Sunday evenings to get fresh ideas from blogging experts. Recently Brian Solis, a thought leader in new media and a best-selling author, was a guest for #Blogchat and discussed how to use blogs as tools to build influence. Do you need some new ideas for your start-up or small business? #Smallbizchat is a great chat for small businesses since its focus is on helping small businesses succeed as they start to grow. On the next #Smallbizchat, Dina Dwyer-Owen, a certified franchise executive with more than 30 years of industry experience and a recent guest on the television program “Undercover Boss”, will share with attendees “How to Live Rich in Your Small Business.” #Smallbizchat is hosted weekly by Melinda Emerson, a noted small business expert, coach and author.
How to Participate
In order to participate in a Twitter chat, attendees will need to have a Twitter account. To sign up for a Twitter account, go to http:// twitter.com. Once you have your Twitter account set up, you are ready to go. There are a number of formats to use to follow a Twitter chat but the easiest way I have found to participate is by using TweetChat, a platform designed to make “Twitter chats” run easily.
Don’t be a Bystander
To get the most out of any Twitter chat, make sure you join in. Most moderators ask attendees to go ahead and introduce themselves. Your introduction is a great way to begin meeting others.
By joining in a chat you are not only sharing your ideas with the attendees but also with the attendees’ followers. Don’t be surprised if you pick up a number of new followers after the chat based on comments and interactions you had during the chat. Every time you write a tweet that is then re-tweeted – quoted or rebroadcast by other attendees – your tweet is not only repeated across the chat but also to the followers of the person who re-tweeted you, thereby expanding your reach exponentially.
Finally, the best parts about participating in Twitter chats are the people you meet and the network you build. Why not get started?
Have a story about a Twitter chat you participated in? Share it in the comment section below.
(photo by flickr user yardenxanthe|Creative Commons)
About Theresa Smith
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
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April 2, 2012 at 12:35 pm
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Great ideas and certainly true. I recently joined in #TNI (Travellers Night In) on Thursdays and have met many new friends. I definitely need to join in some more Twitter Chats. Thanks for sharing on Bizsugar.com
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April 5, 2012 at 8:54 am
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Theresa,
I’ve yet to master Twitter to the full extent. I so need to know more and participate here. Thank you for posting this.
Sheila
