Twitter Chats: A Guide To Networking On Social Media
I believe social media isn’t all about taking selfies, posting pictures of your food, embarrassing friends on Thursdays with a good ole' #TBT, or posting pictures for likes.
A key component of social media is about connecting, collaborating, and networking with others - you should be able to do all of this and be a selfie queen.
width="500" height="279" />
As Creatively Flawless owner Meagan Ashley Ward once said, "Digital actions are liking statuses, liking photos, commenting, engaging in conversation, adding/following/requesting friends, and sharing information." If you fail to socialize digitally, you will miss out on opportunities and on connecting with valuable people.
As a professional in this day in age, knowing how to network digitally is very important. Now I know sliding in someone's DMs isn't the easiest thing to do when you want to connect with someone on a professional level - I get it, you don't want to appear creepy. However, there are other things that you can do to network digitally.
My favorite way to connect with others online is through Twitter. Through Twitter, you can connect with people from all over the world by simply using a hashtag or through a mutual follower. My new favorite way to meet like-minded people, build relationships, and get new followers is through Twitter chats.
[Tweet "Twitter chats allow you to connect with others and learn more."]
What are Twitter chats?
Twitter chats are platforms that allow you to participate in real-time conversations with groups of people.
Is there a Twitter chat for my industry and interests?
The best things about Twitter chats it is for everyone. There are all type of Twitter chats that discuss every imaginable industry and topic.
width="484" height="363" />
What happens during a Twitter chat?
During a Twitter chat, groups of people meet online on Twitter at a pre-determined time to discuss a specific topic, and a designated hashtag is used by each participant. In any Twitter chat, there is a host or moderator that will pose questions (some will post them ahead of time on a blog so keep an eye out), and the participants answer the questions and interact with others that are engaging in the Twitter chat. Since each participant is using the same hashtag, it becomes easy to see who is all participating in the chat.
Why should I participate in Twitter chats?
In these chats, you are able to network with others and learn a ton. In each Twitter chat that I participate in, I am able to meet awesome people, and learn useful tools and tips that are relatable to my job industry and skills. I even participate in a few Twitter chats that are not in my current job field just to increase my knowledge and meet new people. In addition, Twitter chats can improve your brand visibility and can help you position yourself better online. When you participate in a Twitter chat, it is likely that your tweet will be liked or retweeted, or that your tweet will lead people into following you - and just like that, your Twitter visibility and following will increase!
Are there any do's or dont's in Twitter chats?
Think of a Twitter chat like you would a regular networking event. It is everything that a physical networking event is, minus the dress code and stiff drinks. Just like you would at a normal networking event, you would have courtesy and respect for others, and you would be social with others.
width="499" height="281" />
How long are Twitter chats?
Twitter chats typically last for about an hour.
How often should I participate in a chat?
I highly recommend that you participate in at least two Twitter chats each week. Regardless of your busy schedule, there are so many Twitter chats that occur every day. Be intentional and mark each Twitter chat that you are interested in on your calendar. There are some Twitter chats that occur during the day, so unfortunately as a working professional, I don't have the leisure time to tweet when I want. However, there are a few that I follow that occur during lunch time, so while I'm chomping down a sandwich or my meal prep meal, I am tweeting away, connecting with others (and learning).
Can I host my own Twitter chat?
If you want to create and moderate your own Twitter chat, you can definitely do so (you don't have to go through Twitter for permission). However, please keep in mind that you would need to effectively market your Twitter chat so that others will know about it and will participate.
How can I find a list of Twitter chats?
I recently discovered Twubs, a website that has a simplistic listing of chats. If one day you decide to create your own Twitter chat, you can register it through this same site so that others can find it. Also, Tweet Reports has an extensive list of chats, too. You can also use Twitter’s search function to keep track of the conversation by searching for tweets that include the official hashtag.
If you want a simpler interface, you can use TweetChat to follow the conversation instead. You’ll be able to compose tweets of your own in the same place.
When I first heard of Twitter chats, it was through one of my favorite bloggers. I saw her on Twitter tweeting away using the same hashtag repeatedly. I clicked on the specific hashtag that she was using consistently and I saw other people participating in the same conversation that she was in. Moral of the story, find industry influencers, connect with them, and pay attention to their Twitter feed. If they use Twitter heavily and to their advantage, nine times out of 10 they participate in Twitter chats that you can join in on.
Now that you are schooled on Twitter chats, here are my favorite Twitter chats and some that I plan on participating in soon. All Twitter chat times below are listed in the Eastern Time zone (ET). I hope to see you all on a Twitter chat!
#CreativeSmartGirl - Wednesdays at 8pm
#MillennialTalk - Tuesdays at 8pm
#Hootchat - Thursdays at 3pm
#SideHustlerChat - Tuesdays at 8pm
#BizChats - Every other Wednesday at 2pm
#LinkedinChat - Tuesdays at 8pm
#SMBiz - Tuesdays at 8pm
#Peepchat - Thursdays at 2pm
#CoChat - Thursdays at 4pm
#BrandChat - Wednesdays at 11am
#HBRogue - Thursdays at 1pm
#BlogChat - Sundays at 9pm
If you know of any other Twitter chats, spread the knowledge and love by commenting below!
Brittani Hunter is a proud PVAMU alumni and the founder of The Mogul Millennial, a business and career platform for Black Millennials. Meet Brittani on Twitter and on the Gram at @BrittaniLHunter and @mogulmillennial.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
It’s spring, and it’s time to blossom into our favorite pastel nail colors. We can finally part ways with dark, neutral tones, looking forward to colors that make us feel lighter in spirit. Spring is a time to lighten the mood with floral designs and other aesthetics. Soon, our social media feeds will be filled with tons of nail inspiration, giving us many options. However, we can also understand how time-consuming it can be to find the perfect nail design.
We’ve collected 10 of the trendiest nails for every aesthetic. Warning: choosing one of these designs may cause every girl to ask you where you got your nails inspo from. In those moments, it’s advised to remember us. You’ve been warned.
Subtle Pastel Girlie
So, if you want to ease into your pastel colors, we get it. This nail art is perfect for getting into the nail season without fully committing. We love the subtle flower design with nude undertones. This color palette is ideal for anyone looking to keep their “clean girl aesthetic” without being too dull. If the solid pink color is still too much for your liking, try opting for nude on all the nails and allowing the two floral design to have their moment. There are many ways to get into the season without stepping outside our comfort zone.
Chrome Flower Girl
This nail design is an absolute show-stopper! Make everyone blind every time you wave hello with this incredible chrome art. This design is unique because of the gorgeous mix of purples, pinks, and yellows. This design is for the girl ready to move on from winter and enter her “spring girl era.” As if the colors alone weren’t enough, the two floral designs are the icing on this already captivating work of art. Live spring out loud with this masterpiece!
Yellow Mellow
Yellow is a signature spring color. This design honors the season with various yellows, making it stand out. Each pigment adds contrast to the design. This color scheme makes us want to break up with the typical nude aesthetic that has been around for way too long. Move forward and be the spotlight with the incredible yellow design.
Short But Mighty
Calling all of my short-nail girls! Yes, the rumors are true - we can have fun too. Short nails get a bad rap for not being as flashy as long nails. This design put those rumors to rest with its adorable pastel nail aesthetic. We love the hint of green complimented with pink floral nail art. This design is fun, classic, and refreshing for the upcoming season. Must have short nails for your job? No problem! Don’t lose out on feeling like that girl with this not-so-subtle nail art.
Pastel Anyone?
Gorgeous, gorgeous girls wear pastels! Can’t pick one pastel color for your next nail appointment? No worries! The beauty of nail art is that there are no rules. You can wear each pastel color on your fingertips with no regrets. This nail design proves just that with its impeccable color scheme matched with chrome to make things more interesting. Don’t stress yourself trying to find a design or pick a color. Do it all! You only live once, after all.
French Tip With A Twist
We love a classic white French tip as much as the next person, but in 2024, we are stepping it up! This pastel French tip will have all the girls screaming. Become mesmerized by the swirls of pinks, blues, and yellows across your tips. With this nail design, you’ll have anyone under your spell.
Easter Treat
Easter isn’t over until we say it’s over! This adorable Easter-inspired design will have you leaping into spring. Just look at those cute bunnies complimented with Easter eggs! The colors, design, and festive aesthetic have us jumping for joy. This design also has a nice balance of nudes, which can be great for anyone who wants to have fun with their nails and stay committed to neutral tones. This design has something everyone can appreciate, from the nail art girlie to the neutral girlie.
Simple Spring Chic
We have the perfect nail inspiration for you if you want to keep things clean and classic. This simple nail color eases into the season while still maintaining a classic touch. Let your jewelry be the glam when rocking this clean nail color.
Flower Girl
This design truly captures spring without words. From the colors to the flowers, there isn’t a part of this design that isn’t refreshing. The hues of pink alone give us soft girl Barbie vibes. Let your hands do all the talking with this perfect nail art.
Seeing Things Clearly
Finally, winter is behind us, and the spring sun allows us to see things clearly - just like this nail design! Clear nails have not gotten enough respect until now. These gel x clear spring nails are all you need to set the tone for the season. Colorful flowers are the main vocal point of the design while remaining simple. This design is a breath of fresh air we’ve all been waiting for. Welcome to spring!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Justin Lambert/ Getty Images