Twitter may be used as a chat room by assigning a #hashtag term for the chat name. A time is announced, and all participants append the assigned hashtag to their Twitter posts. Posts are then tracked by using Twitter utilities that allow streaming hashtag searches.

Please note that chatting on Twitter usually means posting more than normal. Regular followers might consider the increase as spamming. It’s always prudent to warn followers prior to a chat time that you will be participating and that they may wish to “unfollow” you for the chat period using one of the moderating tools mentioned below.

Finding Twitter Chats

Details for several writer chats are listed the post “Twitter #hashtags for Writers“.

hashtags.org – trending results site

Enter a term in the search box and this site brings up a “Trends in Twitter” graph showing that hashtag term usage over time. Below the graph, tweets containing the hashtag term are displayed and updated every few seconds.

twubs.com – content by #hashtag aggregator/directory

Twubs tracks hashtags that have been entered by users and editors into directories, including “tweetups”.

tagal.us – #hashtag dictionary

Some aren’t self-explanatory. Want to know what all those #litacamp tweets are about? Enter the term in the search box and tagalus defines it as the LITA (Library & Information Technology Association) conference. Also links to recent tweets, Flickr photos and YouTube videos associated with the term.

wthashtag.com – user wiki that includes trending

Another user defined database of hashtags. Main page includes trending and recently added hastags. Click a term and you’ll be taken to analytics detailing the past week’s usage and top contributors. You can also advertise a designated hashtag on their site.

Participating in Twitter Chats

twitterfall.com – custom twitter keyword and #hashtag searches

Enter list names, hashtag terms and geo locations that you would like to track. The page includes several settings to adjust the resulting feed, and you can use your Twitter login to save your terms and settings for future use.

tweetchat.com – web based chat room based on Twitter #hashtags

Focus on one hashtag term at a time using this service. Settings include identifying tweeps to block and tweeps to highlight, along with refresh speed and font size.

Moderating Tweeps

muuter.com – Mute tweeps during times they tweet at what you consider an excessive rate using this service. Muuter automatically unfollows and then refollows tweeps that you designate at times that you designate. Great for not dropping tweeps you enjoy just because they participate in a Twitter chat that you don’t follow.

tidyTWEET – This service includes custom user, word and spam filtering. Provides tools to pass along the resulting filtered feed to a website widget – think no possibility of curse words appearing on your front page. Free personal and priced business access available.

I hope you find this list helpful. Feel free to share other tools that you find useful in the comments!

As an Associate Content producer, I know that it’s considered good etiquette to read fellow AC contributors’ articles. In searching for active readers, I’ve found that it is much easier to find them through Twitter than by browsing the Associate Content website. I’m sure this practice would be helpful for writers of other services like Examiner and Helium, as well.

Most AC Tweeters end their AC related Twitter posts with the hashtag #ac. Examiner writers either add a note “examiner.com” or end with #examiner, that I’ve seen. Here are a few ways to use the hashtags to find new online content to comment on.

• Enter the hashtag as a search term in Twitter when you have time to do some reviews
• Use a program like Twitterfall to have a continuous scroll of updates and click through on those Twitter links that catch your interest
• Use a program like HootSuite and, as you find Associated Content contributors that you enjoy reading, add them to your follow list. Then create a tab on HootSuite to hold all online content writers that you follow. All your buddies’ posts will show up in the one tab and you can scroll them at your leisure.

The writer that tweets about an article that day is obviously active and is more likely to return the favor for the article that you post in the near future. Make sure to leave a comment when you visit. Also, for AC writers, if you think the article is helpful, click on the “Was this helpful?” block near the article title. If you see any mistakes in the article, most writers would appreciate a private message to let them know about it. By leaving positive comments, clicking thumbs up to impressive content and providing constructive feedback, you will find yourself to be building your own following of mutually beneficial relationships.

Tweeps from Alabama

• Chrispian Burks – @chrispian, chrispian.com – Posts about his techie projects and techie toys he’s researching or playing with. – Huntsville
• Dave Edens – @Buzzregog, sevendead.com – SciFi fan, graphic artist, comic collector, IT specialist, RPG and adventure game player and my hubby :) – Huntsville.
• Andre Natta – @acnatta, dresramblings.com – An urban conversationalist who runs several blogs and is constantly spreading the word about happenings affecting his local population. – Birmingham
• Thom Rigsby – @jtrigsby, jtrigsby.com – Thom is behind the Tuesday Beer and Blog events at West End Grill. Bloggers, programmers, designers and other interested parties get together to help each other in a casual atmosphere. – Huntsville

Other Interesting Folks

• Nipun Mehta – @charityfocus, charityfocus.org – Tweets inspirational thoughts and quotes and links to interesting positive news and charity events.
• Debbie Ridpath – @inkyelbows, inkygirl.com – Author who shares her insights into the business of writing and points out well written articles on writing and publishing by others.
• SciFi Rules – @scifirules – SciFi Rules is always posting great links and opinions on reviews and articles that discuss SciFi movies, games and books.

Online Content Contributors

See my AC list on Twitter to find fellow online contributors that write for Associated Content (AC) or Examiner.com. See the related articles below to see why this list is handy for online content providers and feel free to leave comments with others tweeps for me to add.