23 Twitter Chats for Small Businesses

One of the best ways to harness Twitter is by participating in chats, scheduled hashtag discussions that focus on specific topics. Small businesses can utilize chats to develop a social media plan, discuss brand strategy, and take advantage of free legal advice.

Here is a list of chats for small businesses. To join the conversation, search the hashtag at Twitter during the chat’s scheduled time. You can also use a Twitter-client such as TweetChat orTweetDeck.

1. #bizforum. Each Wednesday #bizforum provides a place where people with varying points of view on trending business-related topics can present those views and debate the pros and cons with other business leaders. Time: Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
   
2. #Blogchat. Founded by @MackCollier, #Blogchat is a weekly discussion to help you improve your blogging results. Co-hosts frequently join the conversation. The popular chat also streams at live events. Time: Sundays at 8 p.m. Central U.S. Time.
   
3. #BrandChat. #BrandChat focuses on brand development. Brand themes for each week explore big businesses, non-profits, small businesses, personal brands, and general information and open-chats. Time: Wednesdays at 8 a.m. Pacific U.S. Time.
   
4. #CustServ. Hosted by @MarshaCollier and @JeffreyJKingman, #CustServ is a weekly discussion on customer service for all organizations, large or small. Time: Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
   
5. #CXO. #CXO is a weekly discussion on customer experience optimization for professionals and enthusiasts. Time: Mondays at 12 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
   
6. #DIYchat. The #DIYchat is a discussion for those with do-it-yourself businesses. Entrepreneurs and creative visionaries have no shortage of ideas, but they often need help creating a master plan for accomplishing their biggest goals. Time: First Thursday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
   
7. #HBRchat. Hosted by Harvard Business Review, #HBRchat presents three questions related to a topic raised in a recent article, blog post or other type of content. HBRchat participants are invited to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions. Time: Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
   
8. #InfluenceChat. Hosted by Alan Berkson, #InfluenceChat discusses influence and related issues. The InfluenceChat blog posts a variety of related articles, as well as chat tweets and topics. Time: Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
   
9. #Innochat. Each Thursday, #Innochat presents a lively, informative and inspiring discussion on innovation. Guest moderators discuss innovations in product development, brand management, and more. Time: Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
   
10. #KloutChat. Klout, the company that measures your influence, now hosts #KloutChat. The chat is an ongoing conversation about influence measurement and social impact. Time: First Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
    
11. #Legaltweetmeet. If you are a small business owner, chances are you have legal questions.#Legaltweetmeet is a chat that allows business owners and the general public to take advantage of free business and legal advice from Kendrick Law Practice LLC. Time: Thursdays at 8 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
12. #LinkedInChat. Every Tuesday night, #LinkedInChat explores way to utilize and leverage yourLinkedIn business network. The chat sessions are for all types of LinkedIn users, from brand developers to business lead hunters. Time: Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
13. #MMchat. Hosted by @JeffAshcroft, Marketer Monday chat, #MMchat, features a special guest expert every week, as it explores marketing and social media marketing. Time: Mondays at 8:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
    
14. #nfiblive. Hosted by @NFIB, an association of small businesses, #nfiblive is a webinar on small business topics, from legal and tax advice to operations information, to help you run your business better. Time: Second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
15. #ProdChat. Productivity Chat, #ProdChat, is an hour-long discussion for productivity enthusiasts and those looking to improve their personal productivity, share, and connect with one another.Time: Second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
16. #SmallBizChat. The focus of #SmallBizChat is to end small business failure by helping business owners succeed as they start and grow their small businesses. It focuses on emerging entrepreneurs who are less than five years in business. Time: Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
17. #smbiz. Each Tuesday night #smbiz is an open chat where small businesses get answers from expert panel members and other small business owners. Meet virtually and help each other out with issues you face on a daily basis. Time: Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
18. #SMChat. Wednesday afternoons, #SMCHAT explores topics on the evolution of social media. Show up with your ideas, and jump into the question-and-answer session. Users can also suggest weekly chat topics on the chat’s blog. Time: Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
    
19. #SMManners. Social Media Manners chat is a weekly conversation to bring back civility and charm to online communications. #SMManners will help you learn social media etiquette, so that you may develop sustainable relationships and lasting brand presence. Time: Tuesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
    
20. #smmeasure. Co-hosted by @marketwire and @sysomos, #smmeasure covers social media and the analytics that surround it. Time: Thursdays at 12 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
    
21. #SMOchat. Discuss social media lessons learned, successful tips, and how to optimize and achieve better results. Participants also suggest future topics. #SMOchat is hosted by@Crowdbooster. Time: Tuesdays 12 p.m. Pacific U.S. Time.
    
22. #SocialChat. Every Monday night, #SocialChat discusses a variety of topics surrounding social media marketing. A featured guest is in the hot seat. You ask the questions and contribute to the conversation. Time: Mondays at 9:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
    
23. #SocialMedia. Every Tuesday #SocialMedia discusses the business of social media, with industry leaders moderating weekly topics. Time: Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time.
    

     · By SIG UELAND