According to the Twitter Party Guide, a #Twitter-Party is a fast and fun virtual party, using the twitter platform. Usually held in the evening, twitter parties typically last 1-2 hours and are a wonderful way for people to connect and discuss a topic of choice. Most twitter parties have an expert panelist and party host to keep the party on topic.
How does a twitter party work?
Twitter users tweet with a specified Hashtag (#) for the party. The party host will announce the hashtag prior to the event.
No matter you are hosting the #Twitter-Party just for fun or on behalf of a client, there are some rules to make you shine! Below are our tips for successful #Twitter-Party.
1. Set-up a topic, date and time for your party
- The topic of the #Twitter-Party is probably most important. If you do it for a client, make sure the conversation topic is interesting, engaging and allows interactions.
- #Twitter-Parties are usually hold in the evenings, but research on when your target audience is most active online and launch the party then.
2. Invite people to join – ask them to RSVP
- Announce your party on Twitter, other social media platforms and via email
- Give people tips on how to join your party, such as advising them to download a viewing application for Twitter such as Tweetdeck for convenience
- Ask people to RSVP to your #Twitter-Party, so you can remind them later
- Invite people who are interested in your topic, so you know they will be active. For example, if you are doing a #Twitter-Party for baby products brand, invite mothers and mums-to-be, as well as active Twitter dads – they are your clients’ target audience as well as people having interest in the topic.
3. Prepare in advance
- As with all parties, perfect organisation in advance is key for the party success. Research on the topic for your #Twitter-Party – what people think about it, is it contradictory topic, so you can get prepared for different questions and potential attacks.
- Make a top-line conversation scheme for you to follow – when the conversation starts, try to stick to it, although finding a new topic angle may not be always bad.
4. Make it interesting and fun
Conversation must contain helpful information for your guests, but it also should be fun and entertaining. Try not to bore your guests, as they may leave before you know (it’s easier to leave a party online, isn’t it)
5. Motivate your guests to join your party
Think about it – what can you offer your #Twitter-Party guests when drinks and canapés are not something to afford online? It seems that prizes works great and are just perfect motivation for your #Twitter-Party guests to stay till the end. Link the prizes with your client’s brand, so you have a chance to promote the product benefits.
6. Lead the conversation
- You are the host, so you lead the conversation. Ask the first question, provide information on the selected topic and interact with your guests. Once they become more active, you can leave them to interact with each other, but always be there to moderate.
- “Listen” carefully and interact. Make it a real party and not just a one-way conversation where you talk and others get bored. Make sure you thank you guests for their replies, ask further questions, provoke them to share their experience and ideas.
7. Don’t forget to welcome your guests in the beginning of the party and to thank for their time at the end.
How to join a #Twitter-Party?
- Log-in to your Twitter account (or create one if you don’t have an account yet)
- Type #Twitter-Party in the “Search” field on “Home” tab. Click on “Save this search” so it’s easy for you to find it
- Click on your #Twitter-Party saved search on (date and time) and join the party!
- Follow me on Twitter @(yourname)
- When I ask a question, tweet the answer to me and include the hashtag #Twitter-Party
As an example of a successful Twitter Party, please take a look at our most recent #colic-free party we hosted for BornFree.
[...] media shop is to arrange brand presence in anti-colic editorial as well as to run a #colic-free Twitter party with target audience to focus on bottles’ anti-colic system among other ways for colic’s [...]