Repeating the same work task day in and day out gets monotonous, no matter what industry you’re in. From an outreach position, spending hours firing out dozens of pitch emails can be snooze-inducing, reducing your chances for a response. But outreach doesn’t always have to be a pitch email.
Sometimes the best way to get the responses you want is to get to know the community, participate in it and — simply put — make a few new friends. This can be accomplished by joining Twitter chats. Here’s how to reach out to influencers and subject matter experts using this fun approach:
Step 1. Find the right Twitter chat
Once you have identified your audience, it’s time to find that special Twitter chat they participate in probably once a week. Nearly every area of interest has one (or more); most of the time, a simple Google search can reveal the hashtag. Just add Twitter chat to the end of your target audience (for example, mothers) and see what pops up! If you’re looking for a reference guide to spark some ideas, check out this wiki page for a list.
Step 2. Say hello
You’ve finally found the perfect chat for your outreach, and you know the day, time and hashtag. Try to be early to the chat, if possible. Once the chat starts, introduce yourself. Tell them your name and that it is your first time in the chat. You’ll most likely be met with open arms. Veteran participants will probably even ask you some get-to-know-you questions to help you acclimate.
Step 3. Answer a few questions
The chat will soon be underway with its usual protocol. Often, members will ask the group questions or share a recent project. If you know the answer to the question or like something they have done, comment! You must get involved. Once you have shared some valuable information, participants are more willing to help you out later in the conversation.
Step 4. Ask your question
Be sure to ask your question only after you’ve contributed for a while. What do you need help on? Are you looking for someone with a certain expertise to match to your client? Ask it!
Make sure to mind your Ps and Qs. Be polite and make sure not to sound too sales-y. When you start getting responses, comment back; keep the conversation going and show your appreciation. The more you interact, the more and better information you will receive.
Step 5. Say goodbye
If it’s your first time in the chat, stay to the end. Most chats are only an hour long, so it isn’t much of a commitment to build those relationships. As the chat ends, be sure to sign off from the group. Say goodbye to everyone and thank them for their time and hospitality. It’s the little things that go a long way.
Step 6. Follow up
Once the chat has ended, you may have gained a few new followers. Take the extra step and follow them back. If you’re comfortable, send direct messages to some individuals saying that it was good to meet them and that you look forward to chatting with them further. You can also ask for their email address at this time, but it really depends on how the conversation went during the chat. It’s a good idea to attend the chat a few times to really strengthen those relationships, even (or especially) if you already got what you needed. It shows them that you appreciate their time, and you never know when you’ll need to use that resource again.
The key during the whole process is to be genuine and not just in it for yourself. Help out when you can. Appreciate the fact that they’re helping you out with a project, and show them that you’re not a scammer. Remember, you’re a guest in this community, so be respectful. If you keep that in mind, you can expand your outreaching efforts and find helpful resources through smart networking in Twitter chats.
Image Credit: Flickr
via Business 2 Community http://www.business2community.com/twitter/mix-outreach-target-experts-twitter-chats-0723335?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mix-outreach-target-experts-twitter-chats
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