Meet the hashtag ‘#’ the very symbol that will bring you success on social media. If you are a Twitter user, then you will understand what an important symbol this is, and how it can mean the difference between having no retweets, and a couple of hundred. If you are new to Twitter, then you may feel as though it is a very confusing experience. The hashtag however, will articulate your tweets, making them easier to understand and adding interest to every tweet you write. Not only do hashtags help your users find what they are looking for, but it also helps to spread the word of your tweet across the entire social media platform.
An Introduction to the Hashtag
You may notice when you are watching a TV show that a hashtag shows up on the screen, followed by a word or phrase. When this phrase is keyed in on Twitter, you will find a huge list of tweeters who has used that hashtag. For example, if you are watching the Super Bowl, you might type in #Superbowl, to find other people who are talking about it.
Using the Hashtag Effectively From a Following Perspective
Hashtags are the very foundation of Twitter, so you should certainly use them to your advantage. For example, if you are trying to get your personal profile up and running, you want to look at your own interests. Type these interests into the Twitter search with a hashtag, and you’ll find a ton of people who also share the same interests. By following these people, who have the same interests as you, you have a higher chance of them following you back in return. This is a great way to get more followers, and a great way to rocket your social media presence.
Using Hashtags to Articulate Your Tweets
Another great way to use hashtags is to use them to expand on a thought or tweet. These hashtags might not be searched as much by other people, but it can go a long way when it comes to the 140 character limit! Type in a thought and hashtag a feeling or afterthought, this can be anything from #appreciated to #lifeisgood or even something with a slightly humorous afterthought such as #cheesybuttrue. This shows your viewers the intent of your tweet, whether it is sarcasm, sentimental, humorous or even promotional, and it can go a long way when it comes to getting retweets and favourites.
Using Hashtags to Promote
If you want to promote an event, then hashtags are certainly the way to go. This is especially the case if you use the same hashtag in every aspect of your event, so it establishes familiarity with your users. Try and choose a unique hashtag, so when people search for you they will come across all of your tweets as opposed to yours and a thousand others. You can even post images and pictures to Twitter, using a hashtag alone to describe the event. This is a great way to spread the word about your cause, and every time someone shares your tweet, they also share your hashtag. Think of it as a double barrelled promotional system that utilises every aspect of Twitter!
As you can see, hashtags are vitally important if you want to succeed on Twitter. Whether you are there to promote a charity event, to further your businesses social media presence or even just to meet new people, understanding the # is the most important lesson you will learn in Twitter so use it wisely.