tips for twitter chat participation and moderation
TRANSCRIPT
Taking the Next Step with Twitter: Tips for Live Chat Participation and Moderation
Melissa A. Venable, PhDOnlineColleges.net@Melissa_Venable@IOLblog
NCDA 2015 - #NCDAdenver
Today’s Session …
• Twitter Chat Basics• Join a Chat• Start Your Own Chat• Advanced Strategies
… Are you logged in? #NCDAdenver …
What is a Twitter Chat?
• Real-time exchange• Specific date and time• Use of a common hashtag (#)
What are the benefits of a live chat?
• Range of purposes and communication needs:– Community building– Networking opportunities– Professional development– Marketing and promotion
• Twitter is: widely used, free platform; easy access• Multiple audiences out there: students, alumni,
clients, colleagues, employers
How to Join a Chat
• Log in to your Twitter account.• Filter the chat hashtag for viewing.• Add the hashtag to your tweets to join the convo.• Reply to others and ask questions!
How to Start a New Chat
Before During After
Before a Live Event
Participate in other chats.Test the waters! (Lurking is okay … but let the moderator know you are there.)
Create a unique hashtag (#)
• Keep it short.• Make it memorable.• Non-case sensitive: #IOLchat = #iolchat• Letters and numbers• Search for it. Already in use? Try
something else...
Decide on a discussion topic and format:
• Q & A • Open Discussion• Open Mike• Single Question• Conference Edition• Special Events
Develop specific questions in advance!
Announce the time and date (multiple times).
Recruit an assistant
Start slowly - run a “test” chat
During a Live Event
Get the session started
Facilitate the conversation.
Look for … ReTweets (RT), @Replies
Look for … connections among attendees.
Manage the chat logistics.
• Open multiple tabs/windows.– Chat tool– Document with questions, prompts– Twitter search– Twitter account: notifications page
• Have a plan B and C.• Monitor your time.
Be ready for…
• Technology issues • Hijacking• Technology issues• Spam• Technology issues
Is this the Career Counselor Technology Forum ?!?
“ … You’re nobody until you’ve been spammed.”
Conclude the session
After a Live Event
Create a tweet transcript
Write a summary blog post.
Continue the conversation – use the hashtag between chats.
Prepare for your next chat!
A Few Advanced Strategies to Try
Invite a special guest.
Open a Twitter account for the chat.
Crowdsource chat ideas
Collect and curate chat resources.
Set up a chat website or landing page.
Add your chat to a directory or event calendar.
Other considerations…
• Chat length• Day/Time • Chat frequency• Target audience
Recommendations …• Go with the flow• Focus on function, the tools
change• It’s not the numbers - it’s the
networking!• Have an idea? Just try it –
there’s not one “right” way.
Questions?
Resources
• Implementing Live Twitter Chat Discussion Sessions [PDF] http://bit.ly/TwitterChatGuide
• Chat Directories: – http://chatsalad.com/ – http://tweetreports.com/twitter-chat-schedule/ – http://twubs.com/twitter-chats
#Jobhuntchat – @Blogging4jobs, et al#LinkedInChat – @LinkedInExpert, et al#InternPro – YouTern.com#Tchat – TalentCulture.com#OMCchat –@CindyTrivella, et al#EmployerBuzz – Univ. Michigan Career Center#ECRchat – Early Career Researchers#IdealistCareers – Idealist.org#yucareerchat – York Univ. Career Centre#AskForbes – Forbes.com
Image credits:
• Slide 28: Class picture, lindacq, CC:BY-SA• Slide 29: Bird, marek.sotak, CC:BY• Slide 19: Whale, Shovelling Son, CC:BY-NC-SA• Title Slide: Two birds, cobalt123, CC:BY-NC-SA