Starting a Twitter hashtag chat is a great way to connect with likeminded people, show that you're an authority in your field and, no doubt, helps build your own Twitter following. Many people who hold chats, like the popular #journochat, also hold the Twitter handle for that chat name (ie @journochat). Some further tips for Twitter chats include:

• holding it at a time that suits your audience and doesn't clash with similar chats,
• have a topic set before starting the chat and try to stick to it,
• ask who is in the chat, to warm up the conversation, to give you an idea of numbers and so you know who is observing and who is participating,
• Publish a transcript of the chat on your blog (there are tools, like What The Hashtag that can help with this),
• If the chat is to go for an hour, make sure you exit when the chat has finished. This gives people that ``wanting more'' feeling.

If you want to move to the next level with Twitter, join the 5-Day Twitter Challenge, starting Monday, July 25. Click the image below.

This is the second mini post in the new daily microblogging series, #PRPrompts. For more tips, make sure to subscribe to the blog for your daily dose or get your hands on a copy of the monthly Mum PR eNews.