The Magic Hour

I am not going to pretend that Twitter hashtag hours are a new phenomena, but since we launched #CotswoldsHour, to be held between 8 and 9pm every Wednesday evening, it has had an extraordinary response and for this reason I wanted to share some great tips on how to take part.

With #CotswoldsHour we encourage local businesses to come and showcase their products or events and interact with fellow "Cotswoldians" via Twitter every week. During this hour, there are no rules or agendas... except that you use the #CotswoldsHour hashtag in every tweet, of course. This enables everyone following the hashtag to see your post.

Here is an example of the perfect introductory #CotswoldsHour tweet from Martin Crean, award winning hairdresser from Chipping Campden. 

What Martin has done well is that he has used the hashtag at the start of the message by saying hello to all the other people taking part. He has then told everybody where he is and has also added a picture so people can see his salon. 

As you can see this received 11 retweets and a couple of comments and shows that Martin was on hand to say thank you for a positive response.

My #CotswoldsHour Tips

• Always remember to use the #CotswoldsHour hashtag. Even in comments and replies.

• Use pictures and links to your product where possible.

• DO NOT include other #Hours in the same tweet. This looks lazy.

• Embrace it, enjoy it, don't be afraid to join in conversations and share posts that you like!

The first thing that I ask any Cotswolds business is " Do you take part in #CotswoldsHour?" This is because I know that it is a great place to meet people and that there isn't anywhere else where you get over 400 Cotswolds businesses reading your tweets at one time.

Since the beginning of #CotswoldsHour in November 2013, we have had many reports back from participants who have found new clients, started working relationships and made new friends from taking part... this is music to our ears and exactly the reason we started it in the first place. #BringingTheCotswoldsTogether

#CotswoldsHour takes place on Twitter every Wednesday evening between 8 and 9pm.