When I started #customwrkrmchat my goal was to bring designers and workrooms together more collaboratively for purposes of networking and education. We have had some great topics and discussions, that is a fact. I’m not convinced the initial goal has been met, however, and am looking to all of you for feedback and candid thoughts.
Would you miss the chat if we were to discontinue it? There is a considerable amount of effort that goes in to maintaining the chat, aside from the hour of dialogue that takes place during the live chatting. I need to know if there is enough perceived value to all of you to know whether or not continuing is warranted. [I will not be offended, so please, be honest].
Here are my questions:
- Do “chats” still work or are we over-inundated with webinars, after-hour meetings and chats already?
- Are there specific content areas that you see as necessary for proactive dialogue between artists/fabricators/workrooms and interior designers and decorators?
- Does the time need to change back to mornings or alternate weekly between am/m or should we pick one time and stick with it?
- I felt that the #customwrkrmchat content differed from conversation taking place on other design-focused chats. Am I incorrect?
- Does the content feel redundant?
- Is the content less relevant?
- If you feel the chat is one to continue, do you have any suggestions to grow participation?
Thank you so much for your support and for taking the time to provide your candid thoughts and insights to this query!
Sarah
Posts
I love the chat! You do a great job but I am sure it is a ton of work.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I wish more of them were during work hours. Sometimes after a really busy day I need to chill out.
But, I think it is a great way to connect with people and make relationships closer. It is really hard in a feed to get who someone is and what they do. I learn a lot every chat about the people I am connected to and what makes them tick. It has made some business connections for me and some great collaborations.
I do appreciate though if it is just too much. you have to do what is best for you, girl!
I am also a fan of the chats. It would be so much easier to get more in, if during morning work hours. I like connecting in real time with real people and I have learned some important things. Keep if up if you can.
ReplyDeleteChats do take a great deal of thought in preparation and execution.
ReplyDeleteIf you're enjoying the chats as I know your participants do, do continue.
Should you decide to start another chat down the road, your friends will happily be following you there, too.
Best!
I too enJOY the chats Sarah! Although I wish I participated more frequently than I actually do. I've learned a lot of great tips from them, and also joined to follow new tweeps from the mix! So yes - For me, and I think many others, the chats are of value to the design community :)
ReplyDeletexo Lynda
Yes, I do enjoy this chat... it's the only one I do! I also prefer the evening time since I'm sewing all day it's hard to join. I have also enjoyed meeting others that do the same thing as me. I've been doing this for 25 years by myself & it gets lonely at times:)
ReplyDeleteI loved participating in the chats when they were in the morning. The nighttime chats are at a very bad time for me and I cannot participate.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Roth
Hello Sarah! Like everyone else, I think you do a great job and the topics are good ones. But that said, it's hard for me to commit every week and I've actually stopped participating in any chats. It's just one more thing to be doing and I've had to really step away from several things recently in order to focus my energies. Plus, I'm trying to have more down time. Maybe monthly, although I know it's hard to keep momentum going in between.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used Twitter much this summer and was unable to join the May chats, so I've been out of touch. However, I'd like to join again because it was very beneficial to me as a growing one-person workroom. I enjoy the topics, learning how other workrooms succeed and learning about the design community.
ReplyDeleteTime-wise, weekly calls at 7pm or later are fine. Weekday mornings are also convenient. Keep up the great work, Sarah!
I love the chats but evenings are hard for me so I haven't been able to participate as much this summer. You are doing a great job with it !
ReplyDeleteWell Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou know I enjoy the chats. Either time slots work for me now--though with school starting, I may have conflicts on Monday evening.
I learn a lot from the chats-they are like a shot of adrenaline to me!Have met lots of great people. Perhaps we could do them every 2 weeks, or monthly if that would be easier.
I agree with Laurie--I don't have time to tweet all day, but the chats are a great way to keep up with those on twitter.
p.s. Just saw your blog has the same print on the background as my twitter page--great minds!...
I love chats and I think they can be very beneficial. I generally cannot attend however due to my family schedule. If chats were held during work hours, they would be much easier to attend and participate in!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your hard work!
Thank you Laurie, Elizabeth, Shelley, Lynda, Kristen,Barbara, Linda, Julie, Tammy, Janet & Torie for your feedback!! Appreciate your taking the time very much!!
ReplyDeleteHope you are all enjoying a great day!! ~ Sarah
Sarah your Twitter chat has opened up the workroom/designer conversation and been very beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is hard to make the commitment every week. Perhaps every other week. Monday mornings are very rough for me as it's hard to sit at the computer for an hour or so at the beginning of the work week~slows production and valuable client touch-base time.
A suggestion-give the topic and a few teaser questions ahead of time so we can be thinking of the issue. We could also promote it on fb and twitter to gain anticipation.
I like the idea of a closed fb group to "continue the conversation" The Window Coverings Group has been very successful.
You're a pioneer!
Hi Marie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your insight and thoughts! Working on the FB page; will let you all know when it's live.
Appreciate it!!
Sarah