The Ultimate Twitter Spaces Guide
Ever since Twitter Spaces was first announced in December 2020, it has become a powerful way for people to share and consume content online. This feature allows users to participate in live audio conversations with others in real time. Whether you’re a brand, an influencer, or just someone looking to connect with like-minded people, Twitter Spaces is the place to be.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Twitter Spaces. It’ll show you how to start a Space of your own and participate in one others are hosting. So, if you’re feeling chatty, this beginner’s guide will answer all of your questions.
What is Twitter Spaces?
Twitter Spaces was first announced in December 2020 and became available for beta testing to a select group of users one month later. I was one of them! Since then, it’s become a popular way for users to share and consume content, while making connections online.
The feature enables users to host and join virtual rooms where they can engage in discussions, debates, or just casual chats with others on the platform. It truly provides a unique opportunity for brands, influencers, and content creators to grow their audience and reach new followers.
Spaces can be created by anyone with a Twitter account, so anyone is free to go live and start their own conversation. However, if you’re not up to hosting your own show, you can always tune in as a listener. Both are beneficial and tons of fun!
How to Use Twitter Spaces
The great thing about Twitter Spaces is that it’s relatively easy to use and navigate. It’s available via the mobile app for both iOS and Android. So, if you’re looking to get started, grab your smartphone and follow along with the steps outlined in the next sections!
If You Want to Host Twitter Spaces
Ready to host your own Twitter Spaces show? Getting started is pretty straightforward, so you should get the hang of it in no time at all. Here’s what you need to know:
Once you open your mobile app, you’ll have three options for starting a Space. The easiest option is to tap the button to compose a tweet in the mobile app. In the bottom right-hand corner, you’ll see the purple Spaces microphone. Tap it to get started!
You can also long-press on the compose button in the bottom right-hand corner of the app. Then, three options will pop up. You’ll want to tap the purple microphone.
Or you can open the dedicated Twitter Spaces tab and click the purple microphone icon in the bottom right of that screen.
Now, don’t worry! Pressing that button won’t immediately start your Space. You’ll have a few prompts to answer beforehand, so you won’t go live before you’re ready.
Once you’ve tapped on the microphone, Twitter will request some information about the Space you’re planning to host. You’ll need to share what you want to talk about, which is important since you need to give people an idea of what they’ll expect. Then, you can add up to three topics to classify your Space. Finally, you’ll need to decide whether you want to record your Space.
From there, you can either go live or schedule your Twitter Spaces conversation for a later date. Scheduling in advance allows you to promote it to your followers. This is great if you want to attract listeners beforehand so they don’t miss out.
Once You’re Live…
As the host, you’ll have the ability to send requests to listeners to become co-hosts or speakers. All you need to do is select the people icon and add them that way. Listeners can also request permission to speak, which you will have to approve.
If You Want to Listen to Twitter Spaces
What if you aren’t ready to be a host, but just want to experience Twitter Spaces as a listener? That’s fine too! All you need to do is look for Spaces to join. The first way to do that is to pay attention to who is live when you open the Twitter mobile app.
When you have the main feed open, any of your followers who are currently live will be visible. Just look for the purple “Space Bar” at the top of your screen. You simply need to tap on the Space and you’ll be ready to listen.
Alternatively, you can explore the Twitter Spaces tab to see what others are talking about on the platform. Twitter will showcase a selection of Spaces that are happening now. It’ll even feature some upcoming, pre-scheduled Spaces in case you’d like to set a reminder to join. If you’re looking for something in particular, you can search for the name of a Space or a host.
My favorite way to explore Twitter Spaces is from a free website called Spaces Dashboard, https://spacesdashboard.com. You can easily search by user, topic, language, etc. If you discover one that is coming soon, you can schedule it in your calendar. Missed a live Space? They make it easy to listen to the replay. If you click on the title, you’ll see information including all the tweets that were shared.
Once You’re Inside a Space…
As a listener inside a Space, there are a few buttons you’ll want to know about. For instance, tapping the microphone in the bottom left-hand corner allows you to request to speak if you have something to share. The people icon displays a list of all hosts and co-hosts, speakers, and listeners. And there are two ways to share feedback without speaking. The heart icon enables you to react with an emoji and the purple bubble allows you to tweet your thoughts to the group in real-time.
Is Twitter Spaces Worth Using?
Whether or not Twitter Spaces is worth using ultimately depends on your goals and objectives for using the platform. If you’re looking to engage with your audience in a more personal and authentic way, build relationships, and network with like-minded individuals, Twitter Spaces is a great tool to achieve those goals.
Spaces offers a unique opportunity for creators to expand their reach, grow their audience, and establish themselves as thought leaders in their respective industries. If you’re willing to invest the time and effort into using Twitter Spaces effectively, it’s sure to be a valuable tool for you and your brand.
Related: 5 Benefits of Twitter Spaces for Your Brand
The Key to Mastering Twitter Spaces
For anyone looking to get started with Twitter Spaces, the best thing you can do is map out your strategy ahead of time. That includes determining which topics you’ll discuss, how often you’ll go live, when you’ll host your show, etc. Here are some reasons to have a strategy:
- It ensures consistency and relevance. A strategy helps you to be consistent in your approach and ensures your content is relevant to your target audience.
- It’ll help with content planning. You always want to choose discussion topics with your target audience in mind so you can tailor everything to their interests. This will increase engagement and drive better results overall.
- It will boost audience growth. A well-executed strategy can help you attract new followers and build relationships with existing ones. By going live at the same time each week, everyone knows what to expect and can set a reminder to join each time.
- It’ll allow you to measure performance and make improvements. When you have a strategy in place and know what you’re working toward, you can track the performance of your Spaces over time. Then, you can make tweaks as needed to attract more listeners, boost engagement, and more.
In short, having a clear strategy for using Twitter Spaces is essential for ensuring that your efforts on the platform are targeted, consistent, and effective.
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