Building Great Twitter Hashtag Chats

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?A Twitter chat is much like any other online chat, in which online users gather at a specified time to discuss certain topics or issues.

A Twitter chat brings users together from all over world to a platform where they can interact in real time rather than communicate in a delayed manner through traditional social media postings.

How Does Someone Participate?

To join a Twitter chat, you must know the #hashtag being used. A #hashtag is simply a Twitter function to search for the topic being discussed.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?Creating a Twitter Chat - Logistics

Determine Hashtag Determine Frequency Create SMO Plan Acquire Co-Host Create Supporting Website/Blog

Logistics in Creating a Hashtag

Register Hashtag on Twubs Register on Twapperkeeper Create Two Month Editorial Calendar Promote Launch!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?Choosing a Hashtag

Keep it short – gives more message room (FAIL) #budweiserbeerstories Vs #budbeer

Communicates your branding Communicates your industry

Examples

#meatcampWide-ranging weekly dialogue on raising/producing/distributing meats

#custservWide-ranging discussion on all aspects of customer service across industries

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?Registering A Hashtag

Provides tacit “ownership” Provides additional SEO for your brand Provides “lineage” of the hashtag to your brand

www.twubs.comAllows profile development, followers and other features, including auto-hashtagged tweeting

Google Doc List of HashtagsURL provided in workshop notes

http://swanthinks.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/the-twitter-chat-schedule/

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?Create an Editorial Calender of Topics

Try to keep two months of future topics going. You will get requests for the topic, no matter how much you tweet it out. Remind and refer people to a blog page with the calender. Every week, ask for topic suggestions.

Co - Hosts

Easier with a co-host. Establish roles. View co-hosting role like herding cats.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Secondary Voice/LogisticsHelped launch chat logistically; protector of Marsha from trolls. Avid question asker and provider of humor to chat.

Lead Voice/Cattle ProdMarsha has a huge social following and wrote a book on customer service.

Very lively in the chat.

Greeter/KnowledgeResourceGreets EVERY participant on start/close of hour.

Discussion shaper/guide.

Co-Host Roles at #CustServ Chat

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?Create a Supporting Site(s)

Blog is more dynamic than a website. Use for introducing staff, date/time of chat and how they can connect. Use to publish recaps. Also support with other networks.

Facebook Fanpage LinkedIn

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Supporting Site - Blog Example

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Supporting Site - Transcript Example

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Supporting Site - About Us Example

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Supporting Site - Terms of Community Example

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What is a Twitter Chat?Promote Shamelessly

Use Social Networks Write blogpost recaps and share through social media. Include hashtag in traditional media.

#CustServ on LinkedInGroup > 750 members

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?Managing the Hour (styles)

Question & Answer FormatHosts ask question; allot time period for answer.In a one hour chat allow 5-10 minutes per question. Q1: Are Twitter Chats Effective?

Open Forum / Free For AllTopic is posted at beginningHosts ask leading questions, but not in formal manner

Promote Easy Chatting Site to Use

Tweetchat - auto appends the hashtag

Provide Metrics

Hashtracking.com

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?Considerations

Participants operate at different speeds.

Some are very tech savvy – able to message instantly. Others are not so – you’ll notice a moderate to lengthy lag on their

responses. Make it easy – recommend they participate through Twubs or

Tweetchat

It’s a lot like herding cats.

Be welcoming to all, even griefers. Be patient with peoples different knowledge bases and skill sets. Welcome and thank everyone individually for participating.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

What is a Twitter Chat?A Failed Hashtag Chat

#bakechat

Mission: promote community between pro pastry chefs/bakers and home cooks.

Background Mission: develop online reputation of Claire Fountain; writer, pro pastry chef

Reasons for #fail

Too broad a topic.Too much online competition – food and baking blogs.Not executing every week.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012