A Chat Hour is a pre-determined time on Twitter, where a group of people join in using a hashtag to have a conversation.

Some chat hours are organised geographically, for example, in East Sussex we have:

• #BrightonHour Mondays 8.30-9.30pm
• #EBHour for Eastbourne on Thursdays 7.30-8.30pm
• #SussexHour Thursdays 8.30-9.30pm

Or there are sector or themed chat hours such as

• #smallbizhour
• #Charityhour
• #MotorHour

and so on.

Always worth checking the hashtags, to check the Chat Hour is still active and to make sure the Chat Hour is based in the UK as this may affect whether you join in or not.

How to get involved in a chat hour

• Log in to Twitter and then go to your search bar top right of the screen and type in the name of the chat hour with the hashtag e.g. #EBHour
• You will then be taken to a view which has two options – View Top tweets, and view all.
• You need to select View All or latest so you can see the conversation as it happens.
• If you intend to join in regularly you can save that search (top right of the screen – three dots)
• It’s a good idea to open a second browser screen and have that screen logged in for Twitter and select your notifications tab. This allows you to check if someone tweets you directly so you can reply quickly without going away from the search screen.
• Don’t feel you have to attend every week or stay the full hour – even a quick hello and brief chat can be beneficial.

It’s just businesses selling – right?

Wrong! Yes businesses are the predominant group in some chat hours, but they are there to develop relationships – just as with any networking event offline. Charities and other organisations also join in as do individuals!

Chat hours give people a chance to get to know each other as people, share stories, a laugh, and other experiences as well as a little bit of promotion what they may be doing.

If you are new to Twitter chat hours are a great way of getting to know people and build a network.

Top tip! Don’t forget the Chat Hour Hashtag in your tweets!

Twitter Accounts:

@EastbourneHour 

@SussexHourUk

@Brighton_Hour

The post Local Chat Hours – your guide on how to join in appeared first on Ditzy Media.

What should businesses be thinking about at this time of year?

My latest blog on the Thebestof Eastbourne gives you my thoughts on what businesses should be thinking about at this busy time of year in relation to their use of Social Media.

Eastbourne Hour grows steadily

#EBHour is now in it’s third month and is developing a loyal and vibrant following. Eastbourne Hour is not just about business promotion, but about the local community sharing information about what is happening around town. It is a great way of engaging with folk you have yet to know, and yes, for promoting what you do. Whether you are a business or a community organisation.

Speed Networking in Eastbourne

I am very pleased to be appointed the Business Development Manager for Sussex Business Bureau Speed Networking Eastbourne  2015 will see a new chapter for this popular event.  So watch this space.  If you have never been you need to!  The next one is 3rd February 2015.  To book please follow the above link.

Wayfinder Woman

Another fabulous development was my joining the Committee of Wayfinder Woman. This is a great initiative aimed at supporting women at work or in business is spearheaded by Laura Murphy. Wayfinder Woman was successful in recent local business awards and was Highly Commended on two occasions for their great work.

So that’s a quick update at the start of what promises to be a busy and fulfilling month! Enjoy the run up to Christmas!

The post And on to the month of Christmas! appeared first on Ditzy Media.