What are Twitter Chats?
Twitter Chats or Tweet Chats are scheduled online discussions on Twitter. The organizer will usually ask questions and an expert in a particular field will answer the questions and many times the audience will also. They are usually about an hour in length. And vary in participation and occupancy according to the popularity of the chat. They also vary in topic, there is one for everybody on Twitter.
Tweet Chats are only possible because of the use of the hashtag system set in place by Twitter. Hashtags, a # and word/phrase that follows, are like categories on Twitter. When you search for a particular hashtag the tweets containing it will result. Therefore, in a Tweet Chat every participant must place the chat’s designated hashtag in every tweet to participate.
I will be interchanging the words TWEET CHAT and TWITTER CHAT from now on.
The Roles People Play in Twitter Chats
Audience and Participants
They are why the chat occurs. Without the audience, there is no Tweet Chat.
Find a Tweet Chat you are interested in, catch up on the latest news for that chat and on the day of head over a few minutes early to introduce yourself.
I found that when I am a regular participant AND I participate by asking and answering questions and retweeting the tweets I like, I have gained a few followers on Twitter. These are not random followers, these are targeted and potential networking followers in your niche. What a great way to make friends.
As I mentioned above, Tweet Chats are a great way to make friends. Networking is very important to you blog and business.
One can gain knowledge and great advice from the experts that show up. And, bonus, you sometimes find new people to take advice from and read their works.
Twitter Chats are a great way to learn how Twitter works. Many chats are fast paced so you need to be on your Twitter toes and learn quickly the art of the retweet and reply. But nobody ever knows you are a novice, they only see your beautiful tweets.
You can follow me on Twitter.
Organizer and Leader
As the organizer of a Tweet Chat you get exposure as a leader in your industry because of the knowledge you share and the ability to get other experts to be guests of your blog chat.
You also get to network with experts and novices alike. Building your network and influence couldn’t be easier to do in one simple hour.
Guest Expert
Gain exposure as an expert or leader in an industry. Who wouldn’t want that?
If you have a product, business or blog you would like to expose, this is the place to do it. Your quick answers to questions and replies to participants can help you make sales and more visits to your site.
And not to mention Tweet Chats can lead to larger things like speaking engagements or book deals.
Sponsor
Not every Tweet Chat will have a sponsor, sometimes people just want to get together to chat about a topic and that is perfectly fine.
Yet sponsors can get great exposure to their brand if they are present at a Twitter Chat to answer questions or give something away.
Many times the sponsor is also the guest expert.
Below is an example of a chat I participate in. Mack Collier is the organizer, he also asks the questions and answers. You can also see that Darren Rowse showed up (you never know who will be there). As you can also see I retweeted a tweet I liked from Darren. And someone else retweeted something they liked that I shared. This is very common in Twitter Chats.
What You Need
About an hour of your time.
Calendar to check for your free time and schedule in the Twitter Chat. I use Google Calendar.
Knowledge of the time zones around the world.
What You Should Have
TweetChat.com is a very handy and free website you can use to read all the tweets during a Tweet Chat and it automatically places the hashtag you are follow in your tweet when you share via Tweet Chat. Simply log in with your Twitter ID.
A little knowledge of how Twitter works. This includes how to retweet, place a hashtag in your tweet (Tweet Chat does this automatically for you) and how to reply to someone.
Where can you find Tweet Chats?
Search for “tweet chats” or “tweet chats (your topic)” and you will find some quickly.
For bloggers, #blogchat is awesome and Mack Collier is very knowledgeable and friendly. Every Sunday at 6PM PST.
For women in business, I often participate in the monthly chat at #WGBiz. It takes place on the second Monday at 9 am PST.
Networking and Knowledge
Tweet Chats are surely an enjoyable way to not only network with your peers and audience but the knowledge you gain is irreplaceable.
I’m always looking for Tweet Chats to join, have any interesting ones?
You can always take your Twitter account to the next level and automate your tweets with TweetAdder.
Essential to Doing Business Online
I find Tweet Chats to be part of my way of getting noticed online as an expert in the field I have chosen. They are very simple to join and participate, and can quickly get you and your business noticed with hundreds of targeted people, from future customers to brands you can work with.
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Welcome! I'm Allie. I help WAHMs get their businesses noticed online. Feel free to look around. New here? Check out 
This is something that you actually got me started on awhile back. I really enjoyed the tweet chat I hosted, but I [Probably]won’t do that again[/Probably]!
However, getting involved in tweet chats where someone else has to moderate the conversation is very fun and positive experience that everyone should try!
Wade created this awesome post: How I Got 500 Likes To My Facebook Fan Page In 3 Weeks
Wade,
Sure you will. Just give it time. ha ha Listen to me, the one who has never hosted one. I may sometime, we will see. For now I am always looking for good ones to participate in.
They are fun and very helpful in many ways.
~Allie
Allie Rambles created this awesome post: Crash Course in Twitter Chats: Online Chats Give You More Than Just a Discussion
Allie you’re the best
For someone that’s new to Twitter, I think Twitter chats are hands down the best way to expand your network and meet interesting new people. It’s a fabulous networking resource, and the more you participate, the more followers you get! Thanks again for the mention, hope to see you more at #blogchat 
Mack Collier created this awesome post: Want to Read Think Like a Rock Star Now, For Free?
Mack,
Aw! Thanks! I rarely get to join in on #blogchat cuz it is on Sundays at 6pm, dinner time for me and my family. But this last Sunday, with the time change, I was able to keep the children from circling the wagon chow train for a few.
I really like it and it is very helpful. And, yes, there are some interesting people to meet.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Allie
Allie Rambles created this awesome post: Crash Course in Twitter Chats: Online Chats Give You More Than Just a Discussion
I love Twitter chats Allie and #blogchat is my favorite. I’ve done a few over the years but sometimes timing can be tricky. I haven’t been able to stay up til 9 EST for #blogchat during winter but with longer days I can hande it better. I’m up early a.m. everyday.
Lisa created this awesome post: Blogging On The Go With Fantastic Apps And Tools
Lisa,
Where you at the last Blogchat?
Yep, the timing is usually bad for me because many are not in my time zone and usually coincide with times when I can’t be at a computer.
But I keep looking.
You are like me, a morning person. After 8 pm I’m useless. LOL.
~Allie
Allie Rambles created this awesome post: Productivity WAHM Style: 3 Tasks at a Time
Twitter chats are awesome. I don’t get to join that often but when I do I really enjoy them.
Kristi created this awesome post: The Mailbox App
Kristi,
I do too, unfortunately many that I really enjoy are at inopportune times for me.
Usually dinner time because I am on the west coast of US and many have their chats later for their convenience. I’m gonna look for others that I can participate in.
~Allie
Allie Rambles created this awesome post: Crash Course in Twitter Chats: Online Chats Give You More Than Just a Discussion
Allie, thank you for a very informative post on twitter chat. I’ve been to his blog chats before and have learned something new each time. It’s hard for me to remember to show up on Sunday’s – maybe I should set a reminder…
Twitter Chats are new for me. I am interesting in joining into it. Hope it will give a lot of beneficial for me and my blog. I want to expand my relationship with others by making use of this service.
Heru Prasetyono created this awesome post: Indian Recipes : FIVE STAR INDIAN RECIPES 1000+ Chef Style Recipes of Indian Food Cuisine
Excellent information. Blogs have a lot of power and your suggestions are great tools for maximizing that power.
Sofiya created this awesome post: Barging In Aquitaine
This is interesting stuff, I hadn’t heard about tweet chats before. I need to get up to date. In fact, I don’t use Twitter at all, so this post serves as a handy reminder…
Shaun Hoobler created this awesome post: ATC Members Offer: Sinfully Healthy Food Holiday Special & Bonuses
As usual, you have given some very useful information. I am better with Twitter then I used to be. I am learning though. I want to start being more active in twitter, with chats especially. Thanks for another wonderful post!
Tabitha Vos created this awesome post: 5 benefits of online conferences
This is a great idea, and frankly, not enough people take advantage of TweetChats. They are great for networking and seeking out new opportunities for work at home moms (and dads!). I haven’t participated in a while too much to do so little time haha), but I am re-inspired. Thanks.
Chris created this awesome post: Social Media Video 2013
This is really awesome. I’ve participated in a few twitter chats like this, but this post makes me feel as though I should really be more proactive to seek out bloggers more frequently and participate in these chats.
Thanks so much for this! Glad to stop by from SITS
Charlotte created this awesome post: dating conundrums
Charlotte,
Thanks for coming by.
I found tweet chats to be one of the most fun, informative and easy ways to gain readers to my blog and, bonus, I usually learn from the hosts of the chats.
Definitely get out there and find people, when you form relationships online you can only benefit.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Defining Your Target Market for the WAHM
I really enjoy myself when I go to twitter chats, I just have a bad habit of remembering them! Ughh! Great article (as usual) Allie!
Tabitha Vos created this awesome post: Did you want to be a blogger when you grew up?
Hey Tabitha,
Thanks for coming by!! I tend to forget them also. Just last week I finally bought a cork board, placed it on my wall, made a list of tweet chats that are awesome and they are on there as a reminder to join in. I listed them according to day and time. Now when I have down time (ha ha, what is that?) I look at my list and maybe schedule time for one.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Defining Your Target Market for the WAHM
I am pinning this for my next Tweet Chat. I’ve only ever done two, and you’re right, they are fast paced. These tips will help – especially that website! Thank you!
Jenna@CallHerHappy created this awesome post: Ellen Chatter
Jenna,
Sweet! Thanks for pinning it!!
Maybe we will see each other at a chat.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Defining Your Target Market for the WAHM
Such a wealth of information! Thank you so much! I am still getting used to twitter and have been trying to figure out how to participate in and find twitter chats.
Erica created this awesome post: Go Local – A Lasting Impression
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