What’s the Point and Opportunity of Tweet Chats

About a month ago I heard about something called a “Tweet Chat.”

Your reaction might be similar to mine: “I know what Twitter is.  I know what a tweet is.  I know what a chat is.  but what’s a Tweet Chat?

A tweet chat is a group of people tweeting about a particular topic or event.  If you’ve checked into your twitter account and noticed these messages with hash tags (#DIYMKT) for example – these are tags that people can search on to see what people are saying about a particular topic.

Tweet chats can happen regualrly (like my #DIYMKT tweet chat that runs on Mondays from 11:30 EST to 12:30 EST) or they can be one-time events.  Either way, they are a cool way to bring people together without chewing up time, money and gas.

Why to do a Tweet Chat

• It’s a great way to build community on a topic: There are tweet chats about branding and marketing and technology.  At the chats people who are interested in these topics come together and simply touch base on what they know and share resources.  It’s a great way to connect with new people who are resources for you or for whom you can be a resource.
• Informal survey/research:  Because the audience is so specific and the topic is so specific, it’s a great way to ask questions on that topic and get some insight as to what’s important to people.
• Event Reporting:  If you wanted to go to an event, but couldn’t, simply search on the hash tag for that event (i.e.#SXSW) and you can see everyone’s comments on what’s going on there.  It’s almost as good as being there and sometimes better.

The best way to get into the whole tweet chat thing is to participate in one.  Here are just a few you can consider

1. #DIYMKT: Mondays 11:30am to 12:30pm EST: Topics related to DIY Marketing, getting and keeping customers, marketing resources.
2. #BrandChat:  A must for any marketing type.  Next Chat Wednesday 11:am EST
3. #Sbbuzz: A chat on small business and technology for small business.  Tuesdays from 8pm – 10pm EST.
4. #smbiz: Chat on all issues small business.  Tuesdays at 8pm EST.

Are you currently running a tweet chat?  Add it to the list by leaving a comment!