If you know about #TwitterSmarter, you already know the value of attending Twitter chats. They’re great for meeting people, learning new things, and just having fun. But do you have a goal when it comes to Twitter chats? Did you even think you needed chat goals?
This week on our #TwitterSmarter chat, we invited goal setting expert, Debra Eckerling, to chat about the importance of setting goals. Here’s a summary of our chat.
Guest: Debra Eckerling
Topic: Setting Twitter chat goals
Format: Eight questions directed at the guest. Everyone’s welcome to share.
Genuine conversations are the foundation of Twitter chats. As our guest put it, chats are a great way for you to share your expertise with others interested in the topic, meet new people, and develop lasting friendships.
A1:Twitter chats are an excellent way to share your expertise – and your business, meet new people, and develop relationships through genuine conversations on a common interest. #TwitterSmarter #GoalChat https://t.co/elRYl4LH4g
— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
But that’s not all. Jeremy pointed out that Twitter chats are also an ideal way for you to hear multiple perspectives on a topic, and connect with people outside of your immediate business or personal networks. This can help you get the most out of Twitter as a user.
A1: There are several:
☑️ You get to make new friends
☑️ You start to build a digital community
☑️ You get different perspectives on topics
☑️ The ability to connect with people that aren't in your direct personal connections. #TwitterSmarter
— Jeremy Linaburg (@jeremy_linaburg) January 20, 2022
It’s important to set goals on Twitter because knowing what you should do and setting timelines for yourself can help you manage your time better on social media. Because a tweet’s so fleeting, you can easily spend hours on Twitter without even realizing it. Goals are good for checking yourself.
A2b: When you set goals – and know the purpose behind all of your actions on Twitter – you remain focused while making progress, developing your business, expertise, and/or social life. #TwitterSmarter #GoalChat
— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
As our friends from VirtuDesk so succinctly put it, setting goals will help you find your way on social media. It keeps you stay focused on your activities and, if and when you stray, your goals will rein you in.
A2: It is your roadmap to success. Without goals, you won't have a direction. #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/xL4DiH2uoC
— VirtuDesk (@virtudeskcom) January 20, 2022
As the founder and host of #GoalChat, Debra has a lot of experience setting goals for her own chat. She gave us a list of goals hosts should consider setting for themselves. These include planning topics and guests well in advance, creating a list of potential guests to reach out to, sending reminders to upcoming guests, and participating in other chats to help spread the word.
A3: Good host goals incl:
– Brainstorm topic lists and set schedule at least a month in advance
– Make a guest wish list & reach out to X of them each week
– Create lists
– Send reminders
– Challenge yourself to evolve your chat
– Join other chats#TwitterSmarter #GoalChat https://t.co/3qC2YHZ38C— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Most importantly, though, as a host, one of your primary goals should be to make your chat fun and engaging for participants. To achieve this, you’ll have to constantly think of ways to evolve your chat into something your audience wants and enjoys joining.
A3b: And to create a fun, friendly, educational, and/or remarkable experience that keeps people coming back each chat! #TwitterSmarter #GoalChat
— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Christine, the founder and host of #ChatAboutBrand, told us about her goals. She, like Debra, focuses on making sure people would want to come back. She also wants to make the chat inviting for new people, cultivate relationships with and between her participants, and ensure there are always new experiences or perspectives to offer.
A3.
For #ChatAboutBrand I care about:
1.People coming backhttps://t.co/NypJf9fO1h people joining
3.Relationships—both with me AND between participants
4.Always bring new learnings to the table#TwitterSmarter— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #ChatAboutBrand (@cgritmon) January 20, 2022
Most of us aren’t chat hosts. But we like participating in Twitter chats. Do we have goals, though?
Our guest suggested that as a participant, your goals should include finding relevant chats, joining chats regularly, and engaging with others frequently.
A4a: Good participant goals:
– Find relevant Twitter chats – Madalyn has a great list: https://t.co/J4briycZp0
– Set them as appts in your calendar
– Participate in at least 1 to 2 chats a week. Try different chats until you find ones you like, Become a regular#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/dv0morC3CB— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Debra also added that as you join more and more chats, you should consider setting up virtual or live meetings with people you know on Twitter so you can grow your friendship. If you’re a regular who contributes genuinely, you could also become a guest in one of your favorite chats.
A4b: Bonus Participant Goals
– Make friends with the host … and others
– Set virtual meetings with new Twitter friends to evolve your relationship
– Apply to be a guest on some of your favorite chats
– Remember the purpose of a chat is to contribute#TwitterSmarter #GoalChat— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Madalyn also shared another great goal you can set as a participant—especially if you’re fairly new to Twitter or a particular community. Consider setting goals around the number of people you should respond to in a chat. Enforcing this rule on yourself can help you expand your network and make great friends.
A4b: It's important to listen and add value to the conversation. If you just lurk and do not participate, no one knows you are there. Be visible. #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar Digital Marketing since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) January 20, 2022
Though it’s important to reply to people, it’s also important to listen to what the other person’s saying. Don’t reply just for sake of replying. That said, don’t lurk without saying anything either. As Madalyn said, show yourself.
If you really enjoy talking about a topic, and you like talking to others who like talking about the same things as you do, consider starting a Twitter chat. If you’re a business, a chat is a great way to establish your credibility and authority, while expanding your network.
A5: Reasons to start a Twitter chat:
– Business, expertise & thought-leadership development
– Make new friends & connections – expand your circle
– You have a topic you love & you want to gather people to discuss it
Best case scenario: a combo! #TwitterSmarter #GoalChat https://t.co/TfbH1h3rDW— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Debra started #GoalChat because she wanted to bring together other people who focussed on setting goals for productivity. She’s now formed a community and the chat meets every Sunday at 7pm. Check it out!
A5b. I started #GoalChat in 2018 as a way to expand my group focused on #goalsetting #Productivity and #Community
We meet Sundays at 7pm PT. Join us!#TwitterSmarter— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
As Lance told us, starting a Twitter chat can also be a way of sharing your unique take on things. We all have individual perspectives, even when we agree on certain things. A Twitter chat is an excellent way to explore that phenomenon where we agree on some things even though we disagree on many things. This is also an opportunity for you to hear and respect opposing views. But of course, whether you agree or not, always be nice to people.
#TwitterSmarter A5: Start your own Twitter Chat to break the mold; to share your unique perspective; to enable a community of like-minded (maybe sometimes opposing) individuals to share ideas. Be civil. Have empathy. Use good grammar. https://t.co/WGwdEZXzDc
— Lance A Schart (@LanceASchart) January 20, 2022
As with all things, start by understanding why you want to start a chat. When you’re convinced that it’s the right path for you, it’s much easier to face any challenges you might have down the road.
Then, see that no one else has already started a chat on that topic and if they have, research to find out how yours will be different from theirs. Then, create a hashtag that aligns with your brand and your topic.
A6a: To start a Twitter chat:
– First, decide why you want to do it. How will it impact your business and how does it fit into your mission and motto?
– Research and claim a hashtag that is unique – and if possible branded – to you#TwitterSmarter #GoalChat https://t.co/TljYAKnh98— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Once you’ve got the basics sorted, it’s time to think about specifics. Think it through—how often do you want to run your chat? Most people do it weekly, but there are also fortnightly and monthly chats. How much time can you commit to the chat, considering you’re also doing other things in your business and personal life?
Think about the branding of your chat—if you already have a business brand, you can translate that automatically into the graphics you’ll use for your chat. Promote, host, and have fun. Twitter chats are all about having fun while you connect with people—don’t compromise fun.
A6b: Also to start a Twitter chat
– Decide the format: What time (pick one you can commit to for the foreseeable future), duration, frequency, format (solo or guests)
– Create graphics
– Promote it
– Have fun!#TwitterSmarter #GoalChat— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it. One of the most common problems you’ll run into is declining attendance. This is normal. Based on the season, and personal matters going on in your audience’s lives, they may be absent from your chats for weeks at a time. That’s no reason to lose motivation, though. Stick with it.
On the flip side, if you’re overwhelmed by participants, reach out to community folk and ask them to help run the chat. They could do things like welcoming newcomers to the chat and helping with questions—little, helpful things that mean a lot when you’re a host.
A7: Challenges:
– A drop-off in attendance – this can happen seasonally, stick with it!
– Or too much attendance – get support and ask community members to help others feel welcome
– Burnout – take a break or pre-tweet. Remember your Why & reenergize!#TwitterSmarter #GoalChat https://t.co/sq66MlXWuN— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Be also prepared for change. Starting a chat is in your hands, but you don’t always get to control how it grows. When that happens, remember why you’re doing this and stay focussed on your goals. Evolution can be scary, but it’s not a bad thing. Just be true to your why.
A7b: Evolution of the Twitter chat is a huge thing! Remain true to your mission, but find ways to get creative and expand!
I originally started #GoalChat as office hours. So many interested peeps, it evolved into a formatted chat after 2 weeks#TwitterSmarter
— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Charlotte spoke about the very real challenge of spreading the word. Not all Twitter chats go viral overnight. No chat goes viral overnight. Growing your chat community is slow and hard work. Keep at it.
A7 I think getting the word out there would take time, so it could be a slow start as awareness of the chat builds. But as with anything you need to keep going! #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/kCQJoDCI4X
— Charlotte | Slice Of Social (@sliceofsocialuk) January 20, 2022
By letting it evolve when it does. No chat remains the same as it was when it started—people’s wants change over time and you have to change your offering to meet their wants. Debra suggested polling your audience directly about who they want to hear from and what they want to discuss. Also, create recaps of your chat (as Twitter Moments, blog posts, Twitter Spaces conversations, podcasts, videos, and more) and tag people so there’s a continuous discussion about your chat.
Debra’s #GoalChat is a good example. She started #GoalChatLive as a spinoff of the Twitter chat. She now also does a podcast based on the chat, called #TheDEBShow. If you know why you want to do something, and why you enjoy it, you’ll find ways to continue to do it.
A8b: My #GoalChatLive show – where I have conversations with experts – is a spinoff off of my #GoalChat Twitter chat. My #TheDEBShow podcast is an audio version of my live show.
You started a Twitter chat for a reason. Enjoy it… & your guests will too! #TwitterSmarter
— Debra Eckerling⭐Top Goal-Setting Expert #Start2022 (@TheDEBMethod) January 20, 2022
Our friends from GivWP also mentioned the importance of building new relationships as a chat host. You want to keep your chats fresh and interesting, and to do that, you have to constantly meet new people, learn from them, and engage with them.
A8: You really have to keep your finger on the pulse of what's happening and what's changing in order to stay relevant. You also have to continue be working to build new relationships so guests and co-hosts don't become stagnant. #TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) January 20, 2022
Well, that’s all from me, folks. Thanks for reading through, and for more insights from our chat with Debra, have a look at this Twitter Moment that Joana put together for us. If you think this summary is pretty good, you’ll love the real-time chat. Join us every Thursday at 1pm ET on #TwitterSmarter. Afterward, we also hang out on Twitter Spaces at 5pm ET to continue our chat. Catch you there!
About me, Narmadhaa:
I write all the things—marketing stuff for the bills; haiku and short stories for the soul. A social media enthusiast, I hang out with the #TwitterSmarter chat crew, and am always happy to take on writing gigs.
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