Discover why hashtags have become an effective way to not only organize and discover content, but to increase your organization's visibility, reach and brand awareness. Learn how hashtags help web users search, track and participate in conversations about your brand. This session will cover: The evolution of the # symbol What a hashtag is Where and how can a hashtag be used How to search for a hashtag This session is geared for beginners who want to learn about hashtags and how they can be integrated to their social media strategies.

1. Joelyn J. Bush
@jojobu
January 23, 2014
www.emarketinglearningcenter.org
#TwitterTraining #Erie

2. 1. Evolution and History
2. Definition/What are they?
3. Where can you find them?
4. How can you use them?
5. How do you search for them?
6. Building a Hashtag.
7. Best Practices
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3. #TwitterTraining #Erie
“When did the pound
sign become a
hashtag?”

4. #TwitterTraining #Erie
# = Easy Keyboard Character
2007

6. #TwitterTraining #Erie

7. #ErieTwitterTraining

8. #TwitterTraining #Erie
2013

9. • Twitter: The # symbol… used to mark keywords
or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by
Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.
• Other:
o A hashtag is a word or an unspaced phrase
prefixed with the hash symbol. It is a form of
metadata tag. (Wikipedia)
o A word or phrase preceded by a hash or pound
sign (#) and used to identify messages on a
specific topic. (Google)
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10. Keywords or Unspaced Phrases!
All you need to do is place the pound sign,
#, in front of the keyword or keyword
phrase, uninterrupted by spaces or
punctuation, and you've got yourself a
hashtag.
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11. #TwitterTraining #Erie
Simply put, hashtags are used as a way to
connect or group messages on social
networks. Hashtagged content, including
photos, statuses, videos or tweets, is
pulled together into streams, so that
people, businesses, events and other
organizations have the opportunity to
search, share and communicate about a
particular topic.
Source: OnSharp.com

12. • Your content WANTS to be found.
• Your content NEEDS to be found.
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13. • Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Vine, Google+,
YouTube, Tumblr, Kickstarter, Flickr, etc., etc., etc.
• Print Collateral, Press Releases…
• OFFLINE, EVERYWHERE IN YOUR
MARKETING/PR
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14. Hashtags can be POWERFUL when
promoting content for your business.
Whether you’re sharing a new blog post or
attending a conference, incorporating a
hashtag increases the odds of your
message being found by the right
audience(s).

15. 1. Conversation/topic: making it easier to find
those with similar interests.
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16. 2. Live events – encourages participation.
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17. 3. Witty comment: usually at the end of a tweet.
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18. 4. Abuse: too many hashtags –
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Source: VieoDesign.com

19. • Create a hashtag routine
o #ThrowbackThursday
o #FanFriday
o #FollowFriday (2009)
o Event Related: #Sochi2014

20. • Within platforms
• Hashtags.org
• Tag Board
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21. • Ask yourself why you want to use a
hashtag. (Hint hint: Increase your brand
engagement)
• Make it memorable
• Acronyms are okay! (#SXSW,
#FLOTUS)
• Integrate it! Add value to the
conversation that’s already happening.
• Long-term strategy helps! #ErieTwitterTraining

22. • What uses are you seeing?
• 3 Simple Rules
• Short, Concise and Clear
• Create it - Identifiable, Conversation
Starter, Memorable
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23. Use them for research.
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24. Start Sharing Information.
Interact with others who are using the
same hashtags as you. Topical area,
Industry specific, etc.
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25. Answer Questions.
Many people use social media to ask
brands, organizations and people
questions. Monitor your brand related
hashtags and answer questions more
efficiently.
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26. Promote!
Think about all of the places you saw
#AJO. Other brands offline?
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27. 1.Lack of consistency. USE THEM!
2.Too many words. #Thisishashtagabuse
3.Irrelevant hashtags. #No #One #Best
4.Lack of promotion.
5.Carelessness. Look at what’s already out
there!
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28. • Did you use #Erie #TwitterTraining
already?
• Trade Shows, Events, Conferences
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29. joelynbush@gmail.com
@jojobu
#TwitterTraining #Erie