Twitter is wonderful for talking to people. You can actually make new friends, get to know your blog followers better, and find like-minded people in general. Another way to get to know people on twitter is to participate in a twitter party.
Twitter parties are held for various reasons. You can find twitter parties to talk about products of all shapes and sizes. You can find emotional support twitter parties, Christian twitter parties-heck, if you can think of a reason there is probably a twitter party for it!
Twitter parties are brought together by a hashtag. If you’re speaking about a product it is probably #productname. If you’re talking about post-partum depression it might be #PPD. This is how people find all the other people who are talking about the same thing.
There are various tools helpful in taking part in a twitter party. Like I said, you’ll be looking for that hashtag (#) and the term bringing people together. As always, click the pictures to make them larger.
TweetChat is one such tool.
This is the screen you will find when you go to Tweetchat. Click Sign in.
Put in your twittername, password and click "allow"
Put in the hashtag you want to follow
You will find a screen like this with the hashtag you are following. Tweetchat will automatically add the hashtag to the end of all your tweets so you don't have to! You can change the rate at which the screen refreshes, etc.
Tweet Grid is another. This is very useful when you’re trying to follow the tweets of multiple hosts. You can choose the size you need based on how many people you need to follow, etc.
Choose the size you need based on how many people you need to follow. You can also put your name in one of the spots so you'll be sure to find tweets directed at you!
Put in the hashtag you wish to follow, your username, password and click "Tweet". This will let others know what you're searching for & sign you in! Use the other fields to search for the hashtag you need, tweets to you, hosts of the twitter party, etc.
This is what it will look like when you choose a 2x2 grid. Fill in what you need & click search. It is similar with any size grid. Tweet Grid will also add the hashtag to the end of your tweets-no need to do it yourself!
I personally like Tweet Grid. It’s easier to see tweets directed at you as well as from the host(s). TweetChat is easier for some others but for me it’s too much to sort through in the one screen. Play around with them both before your next twitter party and you’ll be sure to know which one you like. Remember there’s no need to add the hashtag yourself when using either one of these tools, they do it for you. Mouse over people’s names/tweets to see options (like Retweeting, replying, direct messaging, etc.)
Some people also use Tweet Deck or other applications to participate in twitter parties but I have found these two to be the most popular (and easiest to use!). Now that you have the tools all that’s left is to do it! Twitter parties can be a bit overwhelming for some, but once you take part in a few it usually gets easier. 
That’s it for this week’s edition of Tweet Me Tuesday. Want to participate? Here’s how:
- Check out Melinda’s Blog. She’s the genius who came up with Tweet Me Tuesday!
- Tweet this post!
- Link up a post you’d like Tweeted using Linky Tools below. It can either be your most recent post or an older, favorite post you’d like to share with a new audience. You only have to put the link to your post at one of our blogs–we are both showing the same exact links. Link up here at Melinda’s blog-and grab a button at either place as well!
- Follow Melinda and myself on Twitter! (if you’re not already)
- Visit the links below and tweet as many as you can!!
- Follow as many of these bloggers as you’d like on Twitter. (You can also follow their blogs if you like!)
- If you tweet at us/about us/for Tweet Me Tuesday please use the hashtag #TMT . It makes it easier for us to find your tweets! Not sure about hashtags? See this post!
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: mamaondago14
August 10, 2010
The new look is great. Thanks to you and Melinda for hosting Tweet Me Tuesday. Looking forward to finding some new people.
MamaOnDaGo´s last post ..Blogging Brings Families Together by Absolutely Narcissism
How FUN! For those of us in the Sandwich Generation we can also find hash tags for caregiving, elder, senior, etc.
Thanks for another great Twitter resource. 
Twitter: MelindaMeans
August 10, 2010
Great info, Kristen! ;0) I’ve never participated in a Twitter Party, but I’d like to. Thanks for the info… seems a little less overwhelming now.
Melinda´s last post ..Tweet Me Tuesday- Tweetizen
Twitter: jeanwise
August 10, 2010
Grat tip! I have used the hashtags and grouped conversation from a writers conference but never participated in other events. It IS social networking and I know I need to be more interactive and this idea will help
jean´s last post ..Increasing Embrace
You did such a great job explaining that!
blueviolet´s last post ..BlogHer 10 The Rest of the Story Whew! Im Home!
Twitter: mommiecooks
August 12, 2010
thank you for such an informative post! I struggle a bit with Twitter and this definitely explained some of it! Do you have to be invited to participate in a hashtag or can anyone do it?
Twitter: mamabytes
August 12, 2010
Anyone can!! That’s the beauty of twitter-anyone can join…and you can jump in even if you are late most times! Some twitter parties require that you RSVP though-so when you jump in you may want to ask if you’re supposed to RSVP somewhere! Not all of them require it though-it all depends!
What about companies sponsoring a twitter party? We’re a toy company, and I would love to donate the prizes for a twitter party to be run by another blogger. Is there any protocol that you ladies would suggest when approaching bloggers and tweeters about this?
Twitter: mamabytes
February 21, 2011
Stephanie-
I’d suggest just reaching out to the bloggers you’d like to work with. Many will have a way to contact them through their blogs. Some will be experienced with twitter parties, some won’t. Some bloggers will charge to host a twitter party, some won’t. My suggestions would be to make a list of bloggers you’d like to work with and do your research. See how long they have been blogging, if they use twitter (and how they use it), etc. If you’d like some help I would be willing to talk more with you about it-just email me back to let me know. I’d be happy to help. The only way to establish a relationship with a blogger is to reach out and try.
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