by Emily Bolen, MA
What is TweetChat?
Millennials have dominated the new age of Social Media. Growing up with access to computers and the World Wide Web means that the new generation of business professionals are connecting in ways that have never before been utilized. Keeping up with these trends requires constant exploration and innovation, and has expanded into the workforce with many companies now employing full time teams to manage their multiple social media platforms. Understanding how to use the newest trends and various platforms, can help streamline a social media marketing strategy and reach your targeted audience without feeling underwater with the various forms of communication.
A growing trend on Twitter is hosting a digital conference, or ongoing communication, called TweetChat. TweetChat is a live Twitter feed that is distinguished from other Tweets through the use of a unique Hashtag. The TweetChat becomes a conversation that can be followed through real time postings that provide communication between a host and participants. Host and Participants use this unique hashtag to generate a line of communication that can be searched and followed by simply searching for the unique hashtag. The TweetChat is a coordinated event, offering an opportunity to chat with a typically unreachable person, provide an opportunity for Q&A, or create a community around a common topic. It provides an opportunity to Network among similar professionals, establish a reputation as an authority or resource on a topic, and build relationships with clients or prospects.
TweetChat as an Event
The key to a successful TweetChat is recognizing that a digital event requires the same preparation as a live event. A TweetChat host generates a formal invitation with a set date and time, and announces a unique Hashtag for the event. In the weeks leading up to the event, the TweetChat should be promoted, key participants should be confirmed and announced publicly, and reminders need to be scheduled.
Record all valuable information from the TweetChat. Taking notes, screenshots, and documenting any significant contributors will help the host and participants retain information and build their network. TweetChats move quickly and can meander from the intended agenda, with side conversations sometimes developing but flowing with the rest of the primary conversation, so note taking will help maintain a flow of thoughts and point of reference for revisiting the conversation.
Important Takeaways
The TweetChat is public, and posts to user’s feed’s just like any other Tweet, but remains part of the communication as a result of the Hashtag. The conversation is thus a series of Tweets in live time and enables participants to communicate on a given topic and build relationships with other Twitter users through real-time conversation. Remember, because all communication is public and recorded on social media, as well as often saved by the host for future reference, it is important to remain professional.
Follow up with any new connections or key people within the next couple of days. Maintaining new relationships while freshly developed will help expand a professional network and offer an opportunity to connect on common interests.
TweetChat is an intriguing platform for hosting a conference of communication. Utilizing Social Media tools will help streamline a marketing strategy to be more efficient and effective. Using TweetChat provides an opportunity to expand a network, establish authority, or gain new information on a relevant topic. Social Media has always been a platform for conversation, education, & networking. Understanding how to use all the tools available on social media will result in greater success with minimal effort.