This document provides steps for hosting a successful Twitter chat. It explains that a Twitter chat is a scheduled discussion using a hashtag, with topics ranging from professions to hobbies. It outlines six steps to start a chat: 1) select an original topic, 2) test the topic, 3) choose a short hashtag, 4) schedule it for a consistent time, 5) decide on a format like questions or free flow, and 6) launch the chat. It recommends promoting the chat and expanding it over time by featuring guests, multimedia, and transcripts.

1. Twitter Chatter How to Host a Successful Twitter Chat

2. About Me Julia Hays Reporter for the Courier-Post and Hyperlocal Blogger at InJersey.Com Twitter - @JuliaEveHays Web site – JuliaHays.Com E-mail - JuliaEveHays@yahoo.com

3. What is a Twitter chat? A scheduled gathering of people on Twitter A #hashtag is used to keep track of the discussion Topics range from professions to hobbies to events

4. Examples of Twitter chats For examples of some popular Twitter chats, search "Twitter Chat Schedule" on Google to view a spreadsheet of some ongoing chats. What are some chats that you know of? Why do you participate?

5. Once you decide you’re interested in starting a Twitter chat, what do you do?

6. Step One: Select a topic Choose an original topic Do what you know It shouldn’t be something that will be exhausted after a few sessions Tip: Successful chats have a specific topic and audience

7. Step Two: Test the topic Ask people in your field what they think of the idea Find people who would probably participate

8. Step three: Pick a short, original #hashtag.

9. Tip: Make the #hashtag short, because people want to use space to express their viewpoints, not your #WayTooLongForTwitterHashtag

10. Step Four: Schedule it Pick a date/time that works for you Check to see if there are other relevant chats at that time Make it easy to remember (Example: every Monday at 7 p.m. EST) Be realistic on availability – don’t make it weekly if you can’t manage

12. Questions or freeflow?

14. Ways to expand the chat Promote in every way you can “Favorite” best chat tweets Feature special guests Be open to suggestions Use multimedia to introduce video & audio Provide transcripts Highlight participants Tip: Stick with it!

15. Thank you! Last tip: Don’t be afraid of shameless self promotion.