How to be #TwitterSmarter
Today I took initiative to get involved in the Twitter Chat known as #TwitterSmarter. The chat took place this past Thursday at 1PM Eastern. The administrator of the chat, Madalyn Sklar, is a social media marketer and Twitter specialist. The guest star, Alissa Carpenter, is a TEDx speaker, podcast host, and learning facilitator.
Alissa Carpenter, according to her website, specializes in the differences between Millennials and older generations while facilitating engagement on social media. Needless to say, she knows a lot about Twitter and how to be #TwitterSmarter.
Madalyn Sklar, on the other hand, is a social media influencer and marketer who focuses on Twitter marketing. She not only hosts the chat and podcast #TwitterSmarter, but also spends her time blogging. These women are both role models to me and individuals I admire as prominent figures in contemporary media.
Throughout the chat, Sklar, the administrator, was the one to direct the questions to the participants.
By actively participating in the chat, I had numerous opportunities to network and interact with everyone present. In fact, I managed to acquire approximately fifteen new followers and garnered over fifty engagements in total by the end of the conversation.
The first question was, “Why is Twitter important for establishing relationships to boost your business?”
Being a college student striving to establish her own brand in a complex and volatile online community, this question initiated the chat on a positive note for me. Among the responses, the one that resonated with me the most came from the guest speaker, Alissa Carpenter. She said, “People do business with people they know, like, and trust. Initiating conversations on Twitter can lead to virtual coffee chats and face-to-face meetings, facilitating the development of rapport, trust, and business growth.” What particularly stood out to me was her reference to a coffee shop. When envisioning a coffee shop, most people imagine a relaxed atmosphere, which perfectly aligns with the ideal ambiance for engaging with and cultivating relationships with your customers. I tweeted to Alissa Carpenter, praising her analogy, and she promptly responded with such grace, highlighting her ability to practice what she preaches.
This provided a great segue into the next question which was, “What are some ways to establish rapport with your audience on Twitter?”
In my opinion, Nicole Osbourne, a dedicated social media blogger who actively interacted with me throughout the chat, provided the most compelling response to this question. She underscored the significance of incorporating video content in engagements, as it offers the most effective means to maintain authenticity and foster creativity with your audience. This insight correlates with the previous question by emphasizing the simplicity of building trust with your audience: be authentic and innovative.
Lastly, one of my favorite questions that was asked in the chat was, “How can Twitter help you identify and address the needs and wants of specific audience segments?”
I was absolutely thrilled with the answer I shared for this question. Here’s what I said: “Tap into the incredible resources Twitter offers! As highlighted by @NotOkThatsOk, make use of Twitter polls! They provide valuable analytics while leveraging organic content.” In my social media management class, I gained a deep understanding of the power of organic content, realizing its potential to propel you forward without relying on paid promotions. This tweet received an outpouring of retweets and likes, including retweets from the esteemed Alissa Carpenter and the fabulous Madalyn Sklar, who happen to be the chat’s moderators.
Throughout the chat, I soaked up invaluable knowledge on three key fronts:
- Engagement
- Authenticity
- Growth
Before this enlightening conversation, I simply regarded Twitter as a platform for companies to offer customer support when needed. While that is undoubtedly an essential aspect, I discovered that Twitter holds immense significance in cultivating relationships, expanding networks, and showcasing various facets of a business or company. This chat truly solidified the notion of “business Twitter” for me, equipping me with the know-how to utilize it effectively once I am a working social media manager.
