How to use Twitter chats to grow your network and benefit your business

Twitter chats are a free and effective way to grow your business network by connecting with others in your field of expertise or your geographical area. I recommend them in Survival Skills for Freelancers as a great way to connect with fellow business owners and freelancers – and because I couldn’t find a central list to refer people to, I decided to create my own.

The list below is a work in progress. If you know of, take part in – or even host – a Twitter chat, and you’d like me to add it to the list, drop me a DM. Equally, if you spot any mistakes, please let me know!

First, a quick overview:

What are Twitter chats?

Twitter chats are organised online conversations that take place at the same time and on the same day each week.

How do Twitter chats work?

Participants – often freelancers and small business owners – use a designated hashtag (such as #FreelanceChat or #ContentClubUK) to introduce themselves, find new people to connect with, and often answer questions posed by the host.

Twitter chats most commonly last for an hour – sometimes less. Most Twitter chats are hosted by the organiser, though some regularly invite guest hosts to pose the questions and guide the discussion.

What is the benefit of Twitter chats?

Freelance life can be isolating. When you’re working from home day in, day out, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re the only person who understands the things you’re going through.

In reality, there are hundreds of thousands of people who are in the same boat, and who struggle with the same issues.

Twitter chats present an opportunity to build your network by connecting with other people who get it. They’re a great way to find new likeminded, inspiring people to follow, to share advice and resources, and to get answers to your burning questions.

How do I find Twitter chats to take part in?

Start with the list below. Find a couple of chats that fit your niche – whether that’s your area of expertise or your geographical location – and take part in a couple. You’ll quickly find the groups that are friendly and welcoming. Set a weekly reminder to take part, and get involved!

Pro tip: approach Twitter chats with a generous mindset. Think about giving and sharing advice and expertise, rather than focusing on what you can get from it. Interact with other people’s posts, retweet, like and comment before expecting others to do the same.


An important disclaimer: Twitter chats take place around the world. I’ve been caught out many times by time differences, and so the published times in this list are all based on UK time – whether the chat originates outside the UK or not. It’s not ideal, but neither is trying to work out time differences when you’re very much not someone who’s good with figures!


 

Niche Twitter hours

 

Day

 

Time

 

Hosted by

#AgencyChat Thursday 7pm to 8pm @agorapulse
#allinbizhr Monday 12pm to 1pm @ALLinBIZnet
#allinbizhr Friday 12pm to 1pm @ALLinBIZnet
#ContentClubUK Tuesday 11pm to 11.30 @Fi_digitaldrum
#creativebizhour Monday 7.30 to 9pm @lizzie_chantree
#ecomchat Monday 1pm to 2pm @danbarker @JamesGurd
#EmailHour Thursday 8pm to 9pm @robandkennedy
#EthicalHour Monday 8pm to 9pm @EthicalHour
#eventprofs Monday 8pm to 9pm @themiceblogHQ
#eventprofs Friday 8pm to 9pm @themiceblogHQ
#eventprofstalk Monday 9pm to 10pm
#FreelanceChat Thursday 5pm to 6pm @PRisUs
#FreelanceHeroes Wednesday 8pm to 9pm @FHChat
#handmadehour Wednesday 7.30 to 9pm @handmadehour
#handmadehour Sunday 8pm to 9pm @handmadehour
#IndieHour Tuesday 8pm to 9pm @retailmentoring
#ManUKHour Tuesday 8pm to 9pm @ManUKHour
#PetworkingHour Tuesday 6pm to 7pm @petworkinghour
#remotechat Wednesday 6pm to 7pm @workingrem
#SmartNetworking Monday 7pm to 8pm @smart_bn
#SEMrushchat Wednesday 4pm to 5pm @semrush
#SMESupportHour Wednesday 8pm to 9pm @mbsmih
#TwitterSmarter Thursday 6pm to 7pm @MadalynSklar
 

Geographical Twitter hours

 

Day

 

Time

 

Hosted by

#BrightonHour Monday 8.30pm to 9.30pm
#BrumHour Sunday 8pm to 9pm @BrumHour @DavidWMassey
#CotswoldHour Thursday 9pm to 10pm @ShireMarketing
#MalvernHillsHour Wednesday 8pm to 9pm
#EveshamHour Thursday 8pm to 9pm
#HampshireHour Tuesday 8pm to 9pm @HampshireHour
#HerefordHour Monday 1pm to 2pm
#Midlandshour Wednesday 8pm to 9pm
#NetworkNorthEast Tuesday 2pm to 3pm @Durham_Business @easymarketingne @CannyInsights
#Oxbusinesshour Wednesday 1pm to 2pm @CypherHQ
#SurreyHour Tuesday 7.30 to 8.30pm @surreyhour
#uptonhour Tuesday 8pm to 9pm @uptonhour
#WiltshireHour Monday 8pm to 9pm @WiltsHour
#WorcestershireHour Wednesday 12 to 1pm @WorcsHour @StuartAllenFCMI
#WorcestershireHour Monday 8pm to 9pm @WorcsHour @StuartAllenFCMI