Being active in a Twitter Chat is a great way to build rapport, as well as build your presence, audience and community. Importantly, become an engaging conversationalist and meet new people. You can create new relationships, make valuable connections and form joint ventures. It is great way to build comradery and good fellowship. 

Twitter Chats are based on the use of #Hashtags.  If there is a topic you are interested in, do a Twitter search for that specific topic and you will discover other people having that conversation.  Almost any term is already being tagged.

Go to the Twitter Search box and enter for example: #Stress.  All the recent tweets containing that hashtag will be displayed.  Scan the list for messages that resonate with you and make a comment, or RT the message to initiate a conversation with someone who has a common interest. Also, while searching topics, browse your followers and your lists to see what topics are popular amongst your friends.

Twitter Chats are mini-communities that meet regularly to have group conversations usually surrounding a theme of the day with several questions spaced out over an hour.  To join the chat, answer each question – be sure to include the hashtag of the group, so others in that conversation will see your answers.

You never know where hashtags will take you ….

Years ago I attended an event, Extreme Business Makeover, hosted by Bob Burg and Thom Scott. In the third Extreme Business Makeover event they started embracing Twitter and using the hashtag #XBM. With that, they began to do some promotional marketing. 

At the event, I made numerous connections initiated by an incredible network of powerful influencers. I am not one of those people that will go around the room and pump hands, slap backs and kiss babies. Contrary to what others strive for, I am not a forward, aggressive networker. My tendency is to find a strategic place where I can be seen and allow people to flow to me.

What happened next?

Before attending the third event, because I was involved in the #XBM Twitter conversation and attended previous live events, third quarters of the people in the room came up to me. Our Twitter connection started with the initiation process through the creation and the foundation of Building Better Relationships.

At the event I was amazed to learn about their reputation, standing and their stature.  I had no idea of their experience. It was just that P to P, people to people.  

So, remember the importance of building rapport, presence, audience and community!

Hashtags for events like that are essential. And in this case, that #XBM hashtag lasted probably a couple of years past the event slate.

So, if you are not on Twitter now, creating a presence, carving out a niche, connecting with an audience that can be your customers or referring ambassadors when the rest of the world gets on, where are you going to be?

Need help determining your best Twitter strategy to attract new followers or generating traffic to your site?  Schedule a 30-minute Strategy call with me to help you Build Better Relationship & Business on Twitter.  A $100 value for only $25.

Happy Tweeting!