If you've been around my blog long enough, you know I've experimented previously with Twitter Chats. In case you don't know, Twitter Chats are subject-matter conversations that occur on Twitter. #SmallBizChat is a good example, and I've been a #SmallBizChat guest twice (here and here). I hosted a few #INDIEChat events back in 2009to test drive things, but the technology wasn't where it needed to be to make it fun and easy.
The technology has advanced a lot since then. Not only that, more handmade businesses are actively engaged on Twitter. The time is right for #HandmadeChat, designed to help you crowdsource tips and strategies to grow your handmade business! #HandmadeChat takes place Thursday evening from 8:00pm to 8:30pm EST, with an After Party from 8:30 to 9:00 for those for whom 30 minutes of all things handmade is simply not enough. Here are the details.
This is no ordinary Twitter chat. Instead of having special guests or experts, I will host the chat, and you will be the experts. That's right, you can share your success stories and questions, as you get your questions answered. A rising tide lifts all ships, in case you didn't know.
What Topics Will be Featured on #HandmadeChat?
I'll share the Featured Topic for this week in a minute, but first, I want you to know that, each week, we'll feature a different topic. Eventually, you will choose the topics via a survey I'll set up, but to get things started, I'm choosing the topics for the first few #HandmadeChats. The topic for this Thursday, August 18, is . As we grow, we'll feature every handmade topic you can think of. Here are some of my first ideas:
– finding the best craft and artisan shows
– how to use a blog to increase sales
– how to take photos to showcase your products
– DIY social media tips
– how to set up a beautiful display booth on a budget
– how to use video to showcase your handmade products
– how to find the best ingredients and supplies
– how to build community around your handmade brand
– best soapmaking techniques
– best candle making techniques
– best cosmetics making techniques
– and much more more!
Can you just imagine the fun?
How Will #HandmadeChat Be Organized?
Our 30-minute chats will be organized as follows:
-introduction of the chat sponsor
– introduction of the chat host for the week
– 3 questions around the chat topic that week
– community brainstorming tips, questions, experiences and ideas
The goal of #HandmadeChat is to connect you to others in the handmade community nationwide, to help you get new ideas and energy, and to make it easier for customers, both retail and wholesale, to find you and our handmade products.
How does that sound?
Who Should Participate in #HandmadeChat?
You should participate in #HandmadeChat if you:
– are passionate about all things handmade
– you have a handmade business and like getting new ideas to make it more successful
– you enjoy meeting other handmade artisans and crafters
– you are a giving person who like to share your knowledge and success, as you also learn from others
To participate in the Twitter chat, use the hashtag #HandmadeChat on Thursdays at 8:00pm EST.
How To Join #HandmadeChat
Joining #HandmadeChat is super easy, using TweetChat. At 7:55pm this Thursday, August 18, do this:
– log onto TweetChat
– Click Login in the upper right to log into Twitter using your Twitter username and password
– Click “Authorize App” to return to TweetChat
– Type in “handmadechat” (without the quotes) in the space at the top
This will take you to the chat where you'll see real time conversations of everyone participating during #HandmadeChat. You'll probably see some of your friends, and when you do, you can use the icons on the screen to Reply, Retweet, Favorite and Follow them! To start chatting, just type your chat in the text window. The number to the right counts down how many characters you have left before you reach 140. The #handmadechat hash tag will be automatically added to your Tweets, and will be searchable on Twitter (which is indexed by Google), as you can see here. You can even click “pause” to pause the chat in case it's going too fast for you.
How Can I Sponsor #HandmadeChat?
#HandmadeChat will be publicized via this blog and multiple media outlets I maintain, including INDIE Social, the INDIE Business Podcast, INDIE FaceBook Page, the #HandmadeChat FaceBook Page and the Indie Beauty Network FaceBook Page. Sponsors's brand will be displayed multiple times during the week of the chat at those locations, with links and tags for maximum engagement and exposure.
If you are interested in sponsoring #HandmadeChat, please email me.
Each week, I will publish a recap of the chat, featuring the best questions, ideas, tips and success stories shared b the community.
Follow HandmadeChat on Twitter and join us on FaceBook to stay abreast of the latest. I'm stoked!
#HandmadeChat Topic For August 18, 2011, 8pm EST
The topic for this weeks' #HandmadeChat is:
organizing your handmade studio around your home and/or home office
Participants will be invited to share their best tips for organizing and maintaining adequate space for the manufacturing part of business, as well as the business and administration part of business. Be thinking about what questions you have, and what tips you can share. You'll also be invited to share links to photographs of the studios where you make your amazing products so we can share them with each other and the world — soaps, jewelery, candles, sugar scrub, perfume — you name it!
See you on TweetChat at 8pm EST on Thursday, August 18!
Question: What do you say? What topics would you like to see us help each other with on #HandmadeChat?
