Hashtags and why you should use them

Hashtag has gone from an obscure symbol to a powerful tool in social media today but do you understand why it’s used and how powerful it can be on Twitter? The purpose of course, is so users can simply search hashtags and get all the relevant content associated with them.

The hastag symbol is # in front of a word or a word group with no spaces. Doing this allows Twitter to categorize the tweet and group it with others who have tweeted using the same hashtag. Think of the hashtag as a keyword tag. People searching based on a specific hashtag receive a list of tweets using that particular tag. You are:

• visible to a new audience
• in conversation with current or new audience
• found by likeminded audience who are interested in reading what you have to share

Note that when the right hashtag is added to your tweets, your “retweet” rates rise (other people reposting your original tweets). This opens up your comment to new views and opinions, not to mention new followers, and so the cycle of growth and visibility continues.

For marketers who want results from their tweets, it comes down to carefully choosing the most powerful hashtags. Create your own hashtags.

• Consider the value you intend to create. Crowdsourcing?
• Develop a clear intention so people get it ie your hashtag must be relevant to your purpose and your subject.
• Make sure your chosen hashtag is not already in use.
• Make sure your hashtag hasn’t taken on another meaning that could prove negative or create Twitter hijacking. Try Twitter Search, Hashtags.org and Tagalus for hashtag help.
• If your hashtag is unique, add it to other hashtag tools eg Tagalus
• Don’t spam people. 
• Set up an automatic email alert tool so you know when your hashtag is used eg trhough Twilert.