Looking to expand your reach on Twitter? Twitter chats are a great way to bring awareness to a cause, build your network and interact with others in your community. Read on for tips on how to host a successful Twitter chat:
Prepare
- Pick a date and a relevant topic. Picking an appropriate day and time can boost participation. For example, you may find noon to 1 p.m. (CST) is a good time to host a chat because it spans the lunch hour of multiple time zones, when people may be more likely to participate. Additionally, the topic should be timely — related to the season, a holiday or nationally (or internationally!) designated day. Just make sure other groups aren’t hosting similar or competing chats around the same time.
- Prepare about eight questions or topics for the chat. Questions should be positive and consumer-friendly in order to get a wide variety of participants (RDNs, health professionals and those who are simply interested in the topic). Avoid questions with a single definition or one-word answer; opt instead for open-ended, creative conversation starters.
- Follow a format. Set up questions with a Q1, A1 format so it’s easy for participants to follow along in real time. Long after the chat is over, people can still search the hashtag and read through the chat for helpful tips in an organized structure.
- Establish a hashtag. Research what others are using so you don’t accidentally “hijack” a hashtag (bad etiquette in the Twitterverse), but also consider what will help your brand stand out. Be sure to think about whether the hashtag will be used once (for a specific initiative) or more often for ongoing conversations.
- Check the character count and adjust accordingly. Once you’ve written questions (with the Q# and hashtag), double check their length and wordsmith as needed.
- Invite a cohost or two. Inviting cohosts gives you access to their networks. Share the prepared questions with cohosts to adequate time to prepare appropriate and diverse content to contribute to the chat.
- Build a script. Write introductory posts (140 characters each!) welcoming everyone to the chat and introducing any cohosts, explaining the reason for the chat (for example, National Diabetes Awareness Month) and establishing the format for questions and responses (such as Q1, A1). Include the chat’s prewritten questions as well as some responses to them (a chance to promote your own products or services!) and closing statements to wrap up the chat.
Promote
- Create a timeline for promotion. Start thinking about promoting your chat about five days before it’s scheduled, keeping in mind weekends and holidays when Twitter traffic may be lower. Ramp up chat promotions two to three days prior, and be sure to promote often on the day of the chat.
- Invite participants. Invite people from your network, specifically those who can give personal or expert advice. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to national organizations that may have a vested interest.
- Post information on other social media platforms. Reach out to professional organizations or groups you are involved with on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Manage
- Start on time! Participants have set aside valuable time to join your chat. Don’t keep them waiting (especially if you have chosen the lunch hour for your chat).
- Don’t wait to dive into the topic. After your introductory posts, start with the first question right away.
- Clarify or edit prewritten questions as you go, if necessary. Once the chat is underway, re-evaluate your questions to ensure the language is still appropriate for the audience.
- Give participants five to eight minutes for each question. Be sure to give ample time for Twitter lag and people to form and post responses. Move to the next question sooner if you feel like the responses are waning.
Engage
- Prepare some relevant responses to your own questions. Include links to articles, recipes, images or videos that may diversify the conversation — just be sure to credit them appropriately if it’s not clear already. This fills time while others are preparing comments and may encourage those who haven’t posted or joined to do so. It also keeps the discussion interesting and gives you an opportunity to drive traffic to your (or your organization’s) website.
- Show some love. Like or retweet some posts by people who are participating in your chat. Try to spread the love evenly!
Kristin Houts is a student in the University of Illinois, Chicago’s Master of Science in Nutrition, Coordinated Program.
