Hashtags #Unhashed
Posted By Cynthia Hartwig on October 11, 2012
Understand the Twitter hashtag and you’ve mastered a creative word play tool.
A Twitter Hashtag is just a Searchable Tag or Keyword Preceded by the # Sign.
Back in Twitter-yore (eons ago, like maybe three years?), hashtags developed as the signposts that helped people discover breaking news and topics. Think “# + keyword= hashtag.” But don’t let the techie definition fool you. Hashtags are elegant and supple writing tools.
Understand That Hashtags are Tools for Search.
Hashtags from #arabspring to #Syriabombings to #S.E.Asianearthquake all sprung up in recent history to give people a way to find, react and discuss world events. In last week’s Presidential debate, #mittwins and #obamatanked trended in Twitter popularity. If something great or terrible happens in your local area, you, too, can start a #breakingnews hashtag and lead a searchable discussion.
Understand That Hashtags Help Spread the Word Beyond your Followers.
Hashtags also help you find many ongoing conversations on everything from #pubtibs to #Twitter101 to #weedkillers. These discussions wax and wane, depending on who wants to join in. Find #hashtags in your area of expertise and you have an instantaneous way to share your wisdom beyond your following.
Say you’re a writer, like I am; you can use hashtags like #amwriting and #writetips to deliver tweets about writerly pain or gain or wisdom. If you design children’s rooms, like my pal @elizabethtraub, you can tweet about morphing a toddler’s room into a teenager’s room on #kidrooms or #shabbychic. Like gardening? Look for robust conversations on #gardeningadvice and #weedkillers.
Understand That Hashtags are Great for Twitticisms.
My favorite Twitter nuance is how hashtags have developed as a tool for word play and social commentary. In a good writer’s hands, a hashtag can help you earn a reputation as a Twit Wit.
The tweet from Professor Snape, for example won the “best tweet on Oscar night” award.
You’ll often see people playing word games with hashtags like the #beatlesplants hashtags below.(As if we didn’t have plenty of other ways to waste time!)
What’s Your Favorite Hashtag?
I’d love to hear some fun #hashtags you’ve admired. If you submit the winning example, one of our famous Word Czar hats will be winging its way to you.
Cynthia Hartwig