#HASHTAG !!

 

KNOW BASICS BEFORE USING #HASHTAG

STEP 1 – choose your reason.

It is critical that you define why you are creating a an event hashtag. Your first reason should be to engage your overall audience and cultivate your online brand. Hashtags can also be used to engage audiences, crowdsource ideas,cultivate buzz, share resources, and form relationships. The more tactical you get, the more attention you should give to staying on topic when using that hashtag for communication. Hashtags should always be used to communicate relevant ideas and stay on topic.

STEP 2 – Research your audience and conversation

You don’t want to use an existing hashtag or confuse your audience with similar brands. You can confirm the usage of a hashtag by using Twitter search or Google search.

Take some time to research your current speakers, sponsors, and industry influencers to see if they are consistently using any topic based hashtags. This list of on-going conversation will give you an idea of what conversations are interesting and trendy to your event audience.

STEP 3 – Choose the event hashtag

Keep in mind that Twitter only has 140 characters. Keep it simple. Keep it short.

Don’t fall in love with it. Come up with alternatives and variations.

If you are going to use multiple event hashtags, try to keep a consistent variation and branding.

STEP 4 – Track and Measure it

There are multiple services that allow you to track conversations by hashtag. Tweetdeck is a free desktop application that allows you to sort conversations by a search field. Twilert allows you to track brand mentions.

STEP 5 – Coordinate it.

An essential part of using event hashtags is to work with the group that will be using it. If you make a general hashtag; work with attendees to use it. If you create a sponsor hashtag; create a plan for ROI. Have a basic description of the idea being implemented (or refer them to this article!)

STEP 6 – Cross promote the hashtag

Twitter and services like Widgetbox allow you to create ‘widgets’ that will display specific content that contains your hashtag. These widgets can be used in your web site, in e-mail campaigns, and digital signage.

STEP 7 – Cultivate and nurture

One of the key reasons for step 4 (track & measure) is so that you can see if and when a hashtag is being used (and by whom!)

Work with the interested parties to encourage an active and positive use of the event hashtag.