What's all the chatter?

One of my favorite things about Twitter are the chat groups. On any given night, you can join dozens, or even hundreds, of other Twitterers in a lively discussion about a specific topic. Not only can you learn from others in the field, but you can establish yourself as a leader and expert while gaining new followers.

How does a Twitter chat work? The moderator of the group will post questions for everyone to tweet about during specific time. Everyone who participates in the chat tags their posts with the hashtag name of the group (i.e. #socialmedia). You can search for the group name and read all of the posts associated with the chat. You can even go back and read the transcripts of the chats if you miss it.

Here is a list of some of my favorite chat groups, along with the time they "meet."

#4change: monthly discussion of using social media for social change (second Thursday of each month from 5-7 p.m. EST)

#blogchat: bettering your blog (every Sunday from 9-10 p.m. EST)

#brandchat: discussion between experts, strategists and those interested in learning more about personal branding and managing their personal brand (every Wednesday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. EST)

#engage365: open to association and meeting industry members- focused on social media for events (every Friday from 1-2 p.m. EST)

#entprchat: weekly conversation on entertainment, fashion, public relations and management issues (every Tuesday from 8-9 p.m. EST)

#journchat: conversation between journalists, bloggers and public relations folks (every Monday from 8-11 p.m. EST)

#mrktchat: discussion regarding travel and tourism marketing (every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. EST)

#pr20chat: discussion of where public relations is heading (every Tuesday from 8-10 p.m. EST)

#sbbuzz: weekly chat about small business for small business owners, techies, social media mavens and folks who love them (every Tuesday from 8-10 p.m. EST)

#smallbizchat: helpful tips and advice geared toward small business startups and those who have been in business for less than five years (every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST)

#smbiz: open chat session where small businesses of every kind can meet, network and ask all kinds of questions in any area (every Tuesday from 8-9 p.m. EST)

#smchat: exploring and driving the new media paradigm (every Wednesday from 1-2:30 p.m. EST)

#socialmedia: advancing the business of social media (every Tuesday from 12-1 p.m. EST)

#solopr: open discussion designed for independent public relations professionals (every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. EST).

Find a list of chats and search for transcripts of previous chats at what the hashtag.