1.
Taking the Next Step with Twitter:
Tips for Live Chat Participation
and Moderation
Melissa A. Venable, PhD
OnlineColleges.net
@Melissa_Venable
@IOLblog
NCDA 2015 - #NCDAdenver

2.
Today’s Session …
• Twitter Chat Basics
• Join a Chat
• Start Your Own Chat
• Advanced Strategies
… Are you logged in?
#NCDAdenver …

3.
What is a Twitter Chat?
• Real-time exchange
• Specific date and time
• Use of a common hashtag (#)

4.
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

5.
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!

6.
How to Start a New Chat
 Before
 During
 After

7.
Before a Live Event
Participate in other chats.
Test the waters! (Lurking is okay … but let
the moderator know you are there.)

8.
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...

9.
Decide on a discussion topic and format:
• Q & A
• Open Discussion
• Open Mike
• Single Question
• Conference Edition
• Special Events
Develop specific questions in advance!

10.
Announce the time and date (multiple times).
Recruit an assistant
Start slowly - run a “test” chat

11.
During a Live Event
Get the session started

12.
Facilitate the conversation.

13.
Look for … ReTweets (RT), @Replies

14.
Look for … connections among attendees.

15.
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.

16.
Be ready for…
• Technology issues
• Hijacking
• Technology issues
• Spam
• Technology issues

17.
Is this the Career Counselor Technology
Forum ?!?
“ … You’re nobody until you’ve been spammed.”

18.
Conclude the session

19.
After a Live Event
Create a tweet transcript

20.
Write a summary blog post.
Continue the conversation – use the
hashtag between chats.
Prepare for your next chat!

21.
A Few Advanced Strategies to Try
Invite a special
guest.
Open a Twitter
account for
the chat.

22.
Crowdsource chat ideas

23.
Collect and curate chat resources.
Set up a chat website or landing page.

24.
Add your chat to a directory or event calendar.

25.
Other considerations…
• Chat length
• Day/Time
• Chat frequency
• Target audience

26.
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.

27.
Questions?

28.
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

29.
#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

30.
Thank you!
Melissa A. Venable, PhD
OnlineColleges.net
#IOLchat & @IOLblog
@Melissa_Venable
melissa.a.venable@gmail.com

31.
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