5 Tips On How To Use A #Hashtag

Greetings dear readers.

Over the last few weeks I have been at quite a few conferences and next week
I will be at two as well.  At conferences they normally use hashtags to
create awareness of the conference and brand.

Hashtags are those words with # in front of them.  This is done to help with
search and to help it trend on places like Twitter.  Have a look at the top
Trending topics on Twitter and you will get the idea.
Now there is a right way and a wrong way to use the #hashtag

Here are 5 tips on how to use the #hashtag

1.  Choose a unique hashtag

When you choose a hashtag for your event choose one that is unique and make it your own.
Something that represents your brand or conference.
An interesting one in South Africa right now is #TBD2013

2.  Avoid making it too long

Nobody likes using a long hashtag.  Why?  Well it takes far too long to type out
and #AintNobodyGotTimeForThat

3.  Consider where you are having the event

If you are having an event in a specific city maybe add the name of the city to your hashtag.

4.  Listen to how it sounds

Once you have a hashtag play around with it, listen to it, ask people to say it, what sounds good,
what sounds catchy.  Once you find it that is your hashtag.

5.  Try not to confuse the issue

Now once you have a hashtag make sure to announce it.  So on Twitter you might want to send
a tweet out saying the official hashtag for our campaign is #xyzbrandevent

Make sure you do not change it.  Try not to play around with it.  Stick to it.  Remind people as well in all your press releases what the hashtag is.

Well that should help you on your way for to finding the perfect hashtag for your brand or event.


Yours in social

Fred Felton
Digital & Social Media Strategist & Keynote Speaker
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
email - falconscove@gmail.com
Twitter - @fredfelton
#FredFelton

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5 Ways To Use A Social Media Hashtag Effectively

Greetings Dear Readers

At Falconscove we are busy helping PSASA with the social media strategy for their National Convention.
They are using the social media hashtag #vocalislekker.   Along the way it dawned on me one must make
sure you use the hashtag correctly along all channels.

Here are 5 tips to ensure you use your social media hashtag effectively.

1.  Select one hashtag across all channels


So many times companies decide on a hashtag and then along the way other people decide to use
a alternative one or something similar.  So if you decide on a hashtag eg #durban that hashtag
must be used in all tweets you send out, all facebook updates you send, all pictures you upload, blogs
you write etc.  It does not help if some people use #durban and some people use #dbn
Remain consistent.

2.  Use the hashtag in everything you share online




It's important to make sure everyone uses that hashtag especially at a conference.  So make sure
the same hashtag is used in all emails, tweets, facebook updates, pictures, videos etc.
Inform people beforehand what the hashtag will be.

3.  Trending topics


If you get it right then that hashtag will start to trend in the trending topics section of Twitter.
As long as everyone for example at a conference uses that hashtag and keeps sharing
info about the event.

4.  Make sure everyone knows


It's important especially at conferences for the MC to be told what the hashtag is and to let them
tell everyone what the hashtag is and that they must use it if they tweet about the conference or
take pictures or blog about it.  This helps that hashtag start to trend.

5.  Make it sound cool


Sit down with your staff and work on that hashtag.  It must have a nice ring to it.
People must want to share it with their tweets.  Make sure everyone knows it and passes it on
to others.  Keep track of the social channels as sometimes Tweeps will ask what the hashtag is.
Perfect time to remind them.  Have fun sharing that hashtag.


Yours in Social

Fred Felton
Social Media Strategist & Keynote Speaker
Falconscove
A Digital Media Agency
Social Media Management, Strategy, Talks & Workshops
email: falconscove@gmail.com