On the blog we have written plenty of posts describing how to successfully host a Twitter chat. However, we haven’t discussed how to be a successful participant. While every Twitter chat has a different set of guidelines, there are three simple tips to keep in mind to ensure that you get the most out of the experience.
1. Review the rules. Every Twitter chat is different so it’s extremely important to review the guidelines ahead of time. Make sure that you know how to format your responses and what hashtag to use to participate. Otherwise, you run the risk of your responses not being recognized.
2. Be engaged. Simply participating in the chat isn’t enough; you actually have to chat. Although they can move pretty quickly, don’t just answer the questions. Interact with the other participants. It allows you to build your network, increase your followers, and share your voice on a larger platform.
3. Write concisely. Twitter is a great network to practice concise writing because it forces you to use 140 characters. Remain professional, but keep your answers short and sweet. No one wants to read a two-part tweet during a Twitter chat. It can be difficult enough to keep track of all of the tweets coming in without the added challenge of keeping track of yours.
Following these simple tips can make all the difference when engaging in a Twitter chat. Feel free to put them to use tomorrow night at 9pm EST during PRSSA’s chat on “Maximizing Your National Conference Experience.” You can review the rules on their Twitter @PRSSANational.
