What is #SmallBizChat? It is a weekly talk show on Twitter for small business owners. It takes place every Wednesday from 8-9 pm eastern time. Guest experts and participants type answers to questions from the host Melinda Emerson @SmallBizLady, using the social media site Twitter. The focus of #SmallBizChat is to help business owners succeed as their own boss as they start and grow their small businesses.
Getting Started on Twitter
First, you need a Twitter account. For details on Getting started on Twitter click this link https://succeedasyourownboss.com/06/2009/getting-started-on-twitter/
It’s a good idea to follow our Twitter account @SmallBizChat. Each week, we post a series of tweets about our guest and the topic for the week.
Terms you need know before we get started
- Hashtag The # symbol in front of any word creates a hashtag. #SmallBizChat is a hashtag. Hashtags are used on Twitter to track information on a specific topic. Click it, and it will take you to the most recent conversation on that topic. In Twitter, you can put a #hashtag in the search box, and see what folks are saying about that tag at that moment too.
- Tweetchat is a Twitter talk show, using text messages on Twitter to interact with a weekly guest on a specific topic – using a #hashtag to help my people follow the same conversation.
Joining in on #Smallbizchat Wed 8-9pm ET
- Tchat.io Sign in use your Twitter account, enter the hashtag (e.g. #Smallbizchat) and press the “Start Chatting” button. The feed automatically adds the hashtag and updates as you chat in real-time.
- Twubs.com Use Twubs to follow hashtags and conversations that interest you on Twitter. Follow Real-time tweets, photos, videos and more from hashtags in one place.
Near the end of the chat: In the last five minutes of the chat, the host sends out a tweet allowing people to introduce them selves, or to give a 140 character commercial, so be ready to plug your business.
The host also tweets out info on next week’s guest and topic.
After the chat: Follow the people who you found interesting, continue the conversation if warranted.
Just a Note about Chats and Twitter Troubles: Sometime Twitter’s search function is running slow, either due to the volume of people using the service, or maintenance issues. Sometimes it can take a full minute or two for a tweet you sent to show, if this is the case, we persevere. If the slowdown is long, we may try switching to a different service such as Hootsuite.com or we may cancel or postpone the chat. If this is the case, be sure to watch the tweets of our host @SmallBizLady, @SmallBizChat and our virtual assistant @YourJobMyOffice for tips on what we are doing.
For more information about various chats on twitter, and how people use them, check out these links:
http://www.twitip.com/tweeting-with-your-twitter-community-how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat/
http://www.meryl.net/2009/05/06/list-of-twitter-chats/
http://www.meryl.net/2009/05/05/how-to-join-twitter-chats/
Info on hashtags and how they work: http://twitter.pbworks.com/Hashtags
Look up a #hashtag to find info on What the Trend: http://wthashtag.com/
We hope this will help you join #SmallBizChat each Wednesday on Twitter. Our goal is to help you succeed as your own boss as you start and grow your small business.
Good Luck!
I will follow, never used twitter before but now I guess I will…
Mary–
Social media is the future. Get on the bandwagon as soon as you can. If you invest time on Twitter consistently. The business will come. Just remember to “Give to get.”
I am always here as a resource.
Good Luck with your business.
Melinda
Ty–You were such as great participant tonight on #smallbizchat. Please come back again soon.
I am glad this resource is helpful to your business.
Best–
Melinda
This is my first attempt at Twitter…wish me luck!
I’ll get it, I’ll get it, I’ll get it, right?
Looking forward to participating from now on!
Carmen Saunders, CEO
VOIS, LLC
Virtual Office Internet Services
PO BOX 2176
Virginia Beach, VA 23450
I truly admire you and your business savvy approach. I’ve learned so much from you thus far and can’t wait to pick up more tips on success! I am looking forward to following you tonight.
How do I find relevant twitter chats to my business?
Is there a directory of chats + hashtags?
Love your Tweets, articles and content about social media in small business and such. You are fun and interesting to read. Would love to be a guest on your chat one day.
Hi, I thought I saw something in your tweet about how to be a guest. My real website is still under construction though I have been in business over 1 yr. The growth is very slow. Exposure like this could be gold. Check out my Facebook page to see what we’re all about, and if you’re interested I’d love to be a guest. I’m not sure if emotional stories appeal to your audience, but the real reason I’m doing this is because of my son. I’m a single Mom with no support from his father (financial or otherwise). I’m getting by on very little and living with my widowed mother who is helping me immensely.
Like others, guess I’m going to need to learn “tweeting.” I have only recently become comfortable with FaceBook and Linked In … now tweets. My concern about social media is — it is always evolving into another one … meaning – there is email, website, FaceBook, LinkedIn and now I’ll take the Twitter step, although all this social media takes time from other “must do” work.
Just throwing out a notion, but social media has made work 24/7/365. I’m still trying to get a foothold in my industry, and it would be interesting to find a study on social media marketing vs. face to face marketing — successes, road blocks and statistics.
I do appreciate the amount of knowledge sharing and support available on social media, and hopefully after being dragged into tweeting, I’ll come to love it!
Good luck all!
I completed your online form to be considered as a guest on SmallBizChat, but when I clicked “submit” the circle went around and around for over an hour.
William Bruce, President
American Business Brokers Association
Accredited Business Intermediary
William–
I am sorry for the inconvenience. The form is not working. Please email me directly with what you wanted to pitch for #smallbizchat and I will personally get back to you.
Email me at smallbizlady at gmail dot com.
Best–
Melinda