I thought for sure tonight was the night. I had a busy day, and a couple of time conflicts that were creating hurdles, but I was determined to be there at 7:00 because, well, you seemed so interested. So I bent time a little and shuffled things enough so that I could clear the deck and be there. We were just going to chat, nothing earth shattering.
I arrived at a few minutes after 7:00, sure that I was going to be apologizing for being late. I rushed in a little frazzled around the edges, but ready to go.
And you. weren’t. there.
As the clock ticked the minutes off, I wondered if you were just late, or if you had changed your mind, or maybe something came up unexpectedly. And I fretted a little.
Oh, I didn’t get stood up on a date, I’m talking about Neuromarketing Chat (#nmchat)!
And technically I didn’t get stood up, everyone was just late. But it was the same small group.
Neuromarketing chat folks – I know you’re interested in #nmchat because you tell me so every week. In fact, after every #nmchat with just the few of you that have been there from the beginning, I think to myself that maybe I need to change the time, or throw it out altogether, rethink the delivery model. But then I get messages and emails and shout outs and questions so I think, no, people are interested so I’ve got to keep it going. Which means, there’s some obstacle that’s causing low attendance. Here are my theories:
- The time is all wrong wrong wrong. Maybe Thursday night is your bowling night? Baseball games?
- You need a reminder before hand because you’re juggling too many things.
- Maybe a tweetchat just isn’t the best venue for this topic.
Here are my proposed solutions:
- New day time schedule for #nmchat. I’m proposing Tuesdays at 3PM ET.
- I’ll send you a friendly email reminder. Just DM me with your email.
- Throwing out #nmchat and writing more on the blog, and maybe scheduling Skype chats once a month?
So let me know what you think. After all, this is for you. 🙂
Of course, the irony is not missed on me that neuromarketing has shown us that what people SAY that want isn’t always what they DO want. 😛
It’s a bad time. 1 hour later. I am in a lot of chats at that time throughout the week that are very well attended. Of course, then you would compete with those… I wouldn’t always make it because I have chat fatigue. But 5 PM my time is just tough… That’s 4 PM where I actually work (I telecommute), so I can’t always break away. And when I can, sometimes it’s dinnertime. Or whatever. I don’t see how making it even more in the middle of the workday will help… but you can try! Lots of us have bosses online and it’s just weird to be tweeting in a cascade during the workday like that even if it’s related to work. Where would it end? You could also be in #smchat during the day…
I am extremely interested in #nmchat – and the topic in general; 5:00 PM (8:00 PM ET) is ideal because I’m usually at the office still but am freer to chat vs. 4:00 (which I can strive to carve out the time) but am often pulled away. That said, 3:00 PM ET would be around the lunch hour, so very doable.
I’m finding it easy to make the #imchat on Wednesdays @ 8:00 PM ET.
Part of making the chat is making it a priority commitment – and a habit – which I’m doing. Also open to perhaps a monthly or bimonthly two hour chat – less frequent but perhaps easier for folks to schedule?
As far a venue, format is fine for me; am wondering if many find the topic interesting, but it’s not become a must do yet? Or maybe many are intimidated by the science component? I think there’s never been a better time to dive in.
That said, I’ll be away from the computer next week on a project, so hope to reconnect week of 6.28!
So it sounds possible that one hour later could work for some people.
Also Patrick, I did think about doing it once a month, or perhaps every other week. I also think you’re right that a lot of people are interested, but are not sure how to contribute.
I also run into the conundrum that there are really two audiences for this. Those who are already in neuromarketing, and they really want to talk about the hard science — vs those who don’t have a science background but want to figure out how they can apply findings to their own marketing.
I would be interested in skype based chats. I am busy on Tuesdays at 4:00 so if we finish before 3:45 I can do it. What is the format for these chats?
Shalina, based on feedback so far I’m going to move to Thurs at 8PM ET. If that doesn’t go well, I’m going to move to once a month with some special Skype chats. Right now the format is on Twitter. You follow and participate in the chat by using the hashtag #nmchat.
Thanks for your feedback! 🙂