What is a Twitter hashtag?
As one of the "big three" social networks, Twitter enjoys a user base of around 200 Million users as of 2011. It is a very useful network to be a part of and is frequented by professionals, celebrities, and public figures and has many uses in the business world. As an Internet Marketing Speaker, I have used Twitter for business in a number of ways including research, promotion, and communication.
However, Twitter is still a bit strange and foreign to some people due to the odd terminology and syntax that goes with it. Terms like "tweet", "follow", "DM", and "hashtag" are thrown around on Twitter and can easily confuse people. One of the most confusing aspects of this network is the hashtag. So what is a Twitter hashtag?
A hashtag is a single keyword (or words strung together) that communicates the context of the tweet. The "#" (or "hash") symbol is used to note that the text following it is a hashtag. Anyone can make up a hashtag on the spot and start using it simply by typing a "#" and then a word after it with no spaces.
Here are some exaples of hashtags and how they are used:
#Indy - This hashtag denotes a tweet that is about Indianapolis or somehow relates to Indy. Many people search on this hashtag so that they can stay informed about conversations related to Indianapolis. Local business can also use it to target their messages to a local audience. Here is an example of someone using #Indy in a tweet:
#snowpocalypse - This hashtag is often used when blizzards strike. People tend to post all sorts of updates about the snow and how it's affecting their areas. Here is an example of someone using this hashtag:
#geekpickuplines - This is an example of a humorous hashtag that denotes a running joke about "geeks" picking up members of the opposite sex using less-than-smooth lines. Here is an example of this in use:
#w2e - This is one of the more practical ways to use a Twitter hashtag. The Web 2.0 Expo is a technology conference and it is used to group tweets about the conference together into one context. Those responsible for promoting the conference use it to send a signal that a particular tweet is conference-related, while interested parties can use it simply to talk about the Web 2.0 Expo. The hashtag allows people to filter tweets into a single view in order to see everything being posted about this event in one place. Here is an example:
As you can see, hashtags have a number of uses but the bottom line is that they are used to signal context and to group content together into a single topic. Hashtags can be used for promotion, communication, humor, and clarification and can be made up by anyone.
So how can you use hashtags to promote your organization?
- Event planners can promote an event hashtag before and during an event in order to create buzz and track chatter
- Businesses can search on hashtags that are specific to their target markets and open conversations on Twitter
- Non-profits can create hashtags tied to fundrasing campaigns in order to strengthen their branding and make it easier for others to join in on promotion
Whether you are a business owner, a marketing professional, and event planner, or a non-profit professional, Twitter hashtags can be used to augment your communication efforts online and may help you get your content in front of new audiences.
How are you using hashtags? Please post your feedback below.
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