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If you are a professional communicator and want to advance in your career or demonstrate your expertise, consider participating in a Twitter chat (aka tweet chat).
Twitter chats are public forums on Twitter that are built around a particular category such as a hobby, profession or lifestyle. According to Tweet Reports (https://www.tweetreports.com/twitter-chat-schedule), more than 1,000 Twitter chats exist. Topics include parenting, job search tactics, nutrition, sports, healthcare, photography and, yes, Twitter (#TwitterSmarter).
Each Twitter chat has its own hashtag identifier. Use of that identifier on every post allows participants to see each other’s messages during the course of a chat. Most chats last an hour and are held on either a weekly or monthly basis. They usually have a host or moderator, who either created the chat or works for an organization that sponsors the chat. Participation in a chat is open to all.
Trying to follow a chat conversation can be difficult if you only use the Twitter app. A dashboard like TweetDeck allows you to track a chat in a dedicated column while still being able to review other Twitter posts in one or more columns depending on your filters. A dashboard also can help you review prior posts, especially if the chat sponsor does not curate the chat.
Why Chat?
Kaitlin Solomon (@KTSolomon), a Washington, DC-area public relations practitioner, says she finds Twitter chats a “great way to stay on top of trends, brainstorm with other professionals and utilize a free form of professional development.”
She also points out that participating in a chat helps her establish her personal brand.
Those are all good reasons to chat. In addition, you can pick up tips from fellow professionals and possibly establish a working relationship with another pro. Chats often feature guest experts who will answer your questions.
Here are some chats targeted to communicators.
#ContentWritingChat
Held first Tuesday of every month, 11 a.m.-noon ET. Sponsor Express Writers (@ExpWriters), a content writing agency. Recent topics: incorporating psychology into your content marketing with guest Elise Dopson, B2B content marketing expert (recap at https://expresswriters.com/contentwritingchat-recap-psychology-content-marketing/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com); writing tips to take your content to the next level with guest Michelle Garrett, writer, blogger and PR consultant (recap at https://expresswriters.com/contentwritingchat-recap-writing-tips).
#ContentChat
Every Monday, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. ET. Host Erika Heald (@SFerika) a marketing consultant. Recent topics: 2020 content marketing planning, creating a customer-centric content strategy, email newsletters
#AdweekChat
Every Wednesday, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. ET. Host Adweek.com (@Adweek). Adweek calls itself “the leading source of news and insight serving the brand marketing ecosystem.” Recent topics: branded product placement, influencers and metrics, Hispanics in advertising.
#RaganChat
Every Tuesday, 3 p.m. -4 p.m. ET. Moderator Carlin Twedt (@Carl_in_Tweets); sponsored by Lawrence Ragan Communications (Ragan.com), which bills itself as “helping the communications professional advance in their careers while also improving the voice of the organizations they serve.” Recent topics: writing to persuade, the future of public relations, corporate culture.
#FreelanceChat
Every Thursday, noon-1 p.m. ET. Hosted by Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs), a freelance writer and public relations consultant. Recent topics: creating better freelance contracts with guest Chris Brown (@CSBCounsel), an attorney; getting referrals from clients.
#PrimeTimePRchat
Every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. ET. Hosted by Julia Anglen Joy (@juliaangelenPR) and targeted to senior public relations professionals. Recent topics: change management with Paul Gibbons (@PaulGGibbons) and storytelling in public relations. Recaps at https://zgrouppr.com/primetimeprchat.
#CommChat
Every third Wednesday, noon-1 p.m. ET. Sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators (@IABC). Recent topics: change readiness, communications metrics and artificial intelligence. Often the topic is the same as that of the Circle of Fellows the following day.
Circle of Fellows.
Third Thursday of every month, noon-1 p.m. ET. Moderator Shel Holtz (@ShelHoltz), IABC Fellow. Join at https://firpodcastnetwork.com/circleoffellows; use #COF plus the episode number (e.g., #COF50 for episode 50). Technically this is not a Twitter chat. Circle of Fellows is a live video broadcast featuring a discussion with three to four other IABC fellows on such topics as communicating workplace diversity and inclusion and media relations and a free press. Through Twitter you can ask questions or comment on the video conversation as it takes place, however. Previous episodes are curated at the above URL.
If you can’t find a chat to your liking, you can always start your own. Just be aware that hosting a Twitter chat is hard work. You have to come up with topics on a periodic basis. And although most chats are only an hour long, you need to develop between five and seven questions on a topic to keep the conversation moving. You also should comment on the posts of others during the chat.
Regardless, Twitter chatting, whether you are a host or participant, is a fun way to interact with others who enjoy a lively discussion about topics that interest them.
Bill Spaniel, ABC, tweets as @billspaniel on several chats.