How to Keep Up in Twitter Chats

Last week, I participated in the #NectarChat.  A lot of other participants were commenting about how it was impossible to keep up.  You take a sip of your wine, look back at the chat, and you are 30 comments behind on the chat.  It goes that fast!  It can best be described as running a 100 meter race.  It's short, but you're going full speed the whole.  damn.  time.

Legit.

However, I had a really great experience.  I met some cool blogger & biz chicks.  We ended up following each other on Twitter and Instagram.  Some great side conversations happen during these Twitter chats and you can make great connections.

So, how did I keep up?  Hootsuite streams.

First:  Create streams for the chat.  I like to use a hashtag stream, mentions stream, & followers stream.

The hashtag stream will let you see the chat in real time exclusively, so it's easy to keep up and the rest of your feed isn't getting mixed in.

To create a stream, click ADD STREAM.  Next, click TWITTER.

Then, click the SEARCH tab.  Last, type the chat hashtag and click ADD STREAM.

Boom, done.

Mentions streams are for all of those side conversations you will have (and they will happen).  A mentions stream will ensure that you aren't missing any Tweets thrown your way.  This is how you make connections through these invaluable Twitter chats.

All you have to do is go to ADD STREAM and click the plus sign next to mentions.

The last stream I use is the followers stream.  This will tell me in real time who from the chat is following me, so I can follow them back!

To create this stream, just go to ADD STREAM and click the plus sign next to new followers.

Easy, peasy.  This will make Twitter chats SO.  MUCH.  EASIER.  I swear.  Now, do a girl a solid.  If you aren't on Hootsuite yet, use my affiliate link and join.  Not only can you use it for Twitter chats, but also scheduling your Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, & Google+ posts.  Awesome sauce.

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