An introduction to hashtags

If you are already active on Twitter, I am sure by now you would have seen many instances of hashtags, it is just simply a # followed by a word (e.g: #hashtag).

Although not always used in the most effective way, hashtags can be used as a great marketing tool and serve many beneficial purposes, both as a business or a follower. Hashtags can be used to follow any topic of interest, news, event or conversation and it's easy to create your own.

You should never tag an update with a unrelated hashtag or fill your tweets up with popular trending hashtags in the hope of getting noticed as this will be classed as spamming.

So how can you benefit from hashtags on Twitter?

Hashtags are great for grouping related tweets together and for targeting a more relavant audience, especially if you have thousands of followers.

Hashtags can:-

• Help get your tweets noticed by others interested in your topic/hashtag
• Help build your Twitter profile and gain more targeted followers interested in your tweets
• Track who is talking about your brand/business and engage with the discussion
• Subscribe via RSS to a hashtag to track the conversation as it happens on any given subject
• Use a simple hashtag to promote your brand or products or hints/tips

For eCommerce hints and tips, we recommend you subscribe to the #eCommerceTips hashtag, you can see from the screenshot below that we often tweet excellent tips to bear in mind when running an eCommerce business...

Other ways you could use hashtags in eCommerce

• New specal offers in store now available online with #lights4living
• Fantastic deals on #homefurniture just before Xmas at http://www.homefurnitureland.co.uk
• #trippsale Huge range on top quality luggage for all occassions, please ReTweet

Sites to track hashtags on Twitter

• Twubs - Twubs are Twitter groups built around content aggregated from #hashtags
• What the Trend? - What the Trend? helps you find out what's trending on Twitter and why
• TweetChat - TweetChat allows you to follow a hashtag in real time and displays the stream.
• HashDump - Claim and register your hashtag and give it a description.
• HashParty - HashParty is a hashtag trend explorer and displays the history of them.

If you would like to discuss how Sitemakers can help you with social media marketing, then why not call us today on 0207 099 1002

Written by Geoff Jackson