If you’ve been using Twitter a while you will have come across the hashtag. That’s when you add ‘#’ in front of a word or acronym to create a clickable link.

The hashtag groups tweets together on a particular subject into one place.

When you click on the link you will see all the latest tweets containing that hashtag filtering out all of the other tweets.

This makes it easy to find tweets on specific topics quickly.

Hashtags are useful in all kinds of ways:

• to follow or search tweets on a topic of interest: #Photography, #XFactor, #SaveTheChildren, #Olympics2012
• to reach more people – your tweet is seen by your followers and anyone following the hashtag, making it easier to connect people with similar interests
• to add context or irony to a message: #fail and #justsayin being examples of this. With only 140 characters you have to be succinct!
• to publicise or hold an event, such as an industry event, competition, special offer, webinar or live Twitter chat*

Hashtags are user generated which means YOU can create one!

But that also means it’s easy to jump on a hashtag already in use. So if you do want to create one, make sure it’s free (or at least not used for another topic that might trash your brand).

If hashtags are new to you, it’s time to check them out…

Take Action!

• See what hashtags people you follow are using
  
• Or, pick a key term related to your  business – pop it in Twitter search adding a ‘#’ infront. What comes up?
• Click on the hashtagged word (it will be a different colour as it’s a live link)
• View the latest tweets containing that hashtag (you could probably pick up a few related hashtags too)
• Start using these in your Twitter messages
• Regularly check your chosen hashtag streams on Twitter to keep up to date with what’s happening – remember news often breaks on Twitter first!

You can find out more on my blog What’s A Hashtag on Twitter

*Industry specific chats that take part on Twitter – more about those another time…

———————————

Do You Want To Be Brilliant On Twitter?

My Twitter Brilliance training programme is where I share honest, achievable and must-know methods for boosting your business using Twitter. No BS. Find Out More!

Join the priority list to receive details and more Twitter goodies the moment they’re released. Get On The List