Getting more followers on Twitter can be challenging, and Twitter Chats are here to help. They're a fantastic tool for growing your follower base, and they've helped us connect with some really great people in our industry.
If you're not using Twitter chats to grow your following and connect with more people, it's time for you to dive in - here's how.
See What's Available
Often the most difficult part of participating in Twitter Chats is finding the right one to join. It can be a struggle, as there aren't any official directories of listing to go through. Don't believe me? Try doing a Google search for 'Twitter Chats', I guarantee you'll be disappointed with the results.
The good news is, we've found some great websites and accounts you can follow to stay on top of the plethora of chats available.
First, you should definitely follow @SayYayChats and @AllChats on Twitter. These accounts keep a running list of current Twitter Chats, and count down the start time so you never miss an opportunity to catch the latest one.
Next, as far as online directories go, Chat Salad is our favorite website for discovering new chats to participate in. You can log in with your Twitter account on Chat Salad and have all of the times converted into your local time zone - you can even get push notifications for when chats you're interested in are beginning.
Selecting the Right Chat
Now that you've got some great resources, it's time to find the right Twitter Chat to connect with your audience. Type in the corresponding hashtag for some chats that seem relevant to your industry and go through the 5-10 questions that were posed in the chat. Also, check out the moderators pages and make sure that they're the type of people you want to connect with. If it looks like you can add value to the chat, feel free to participate at the next event and test the waters. If you're getting lots of engagement and providing value to the group, you've probably found the right chat for your brand.
Set It And Forget It
Now that you've found the right chat, you need to make sure you return every week, or as often as the chat runs. Becoming a familiar face in the chat is important if you want to build your authority, so try your best to not skip weeks and make it a habit to participate as often as possible. The easiest way to never miss a chat is to immediately create a calendar reminder when you've found the right chat for you and turn on notifications 15 minutes before the chat. If you're having a busy day, just answer a couple of questions and be sure to say hello and goodbye to the group. You'll often gain the most followers near the end of the chat, so be sure to have a good call to action for when things wrap up.
How to Get the Most Engagement Possible
Like anything in digital marketing, Twitter Chats are all about adding value. If you can't provide value, and are just there to echo others' thoughts, then you're in the wrong chat.
Many people join Twitter Chats and just repeat what others say or add generic content - this should not be your goal. Provide thoughtful, unique content and you'll see your engagement soar.
If you know the topic of the chat you're joining, it's a great idea to prepare for the chat with good visuals and GIFs. Always prepare an image to share at the end of the chat, with a call to action - where people can connect with you (as above), or maybe something you'd like to share with the group.