Just another reason why I love Twitter ~ hashtags! Especially ones like #writetip or #writing. Such a plethora of advice and quotes, and sometimes the right advice or suggestion appears at just the right time. Never heard of a hashtag, or not sure what it is? It's a particular keyword or acronym preceded by a pound sign (#). It connects messages related to the same topic. You can enter a search on Twitter for a particular hashtag. As a new tweeter, our very own Elaine Will Sparber recently shared her favorite hashtags.
Hashtags also come into play during Twitter chats; it aligns everyone's tweets if the hashtag is included. Tweetchat is the perfect site if you are participating in a chat (or reading along). It automatically adds the hashtag word or acronym so you don't have to type it, and it counts down your spaces, already taking the hashtag into account.
Hashtags are used when "live-tweeting" at an event. Tweeps may end up using various hashtags, so it's convenient if an "official" hashtag is determined ahead of time; this way, tweeps can literally be on the same page (and cause a trending topic, too). This past April, the Wall Street Journal blog announced, "Royal First as Wedding Gets Official #hashtag" (which, by the way, was #rw2011). According to TV Guide, broadcast and cable stations are adding hashtags to the bottom of the show.
Anyone can create a hashtag ~ and if it goes viral, could turn into a trending topic.
Booktrade.info suggests, "All books should have official hashtags so that people can discuss what they're reading as they're doing so. This would serve both authors and readers remarkably well."
Women on Writing recently asked, "Are Hashtags the New Global Book Club?"
Here are some tidbits I've recently come across on Twitter:
From @pubcoach (Daphne Gray-Grant): "A #writer without interest or sympathy for the foibles of his fellow man is not conceivable as a writer." ~ Joseph Conrad #writetip
From @WriterThesaurus (Angela Ackerman): Personality Trait Tool 4 creating Stand out Characters (sidebar). Here's RECKLESS #writetip #writechat
From @lookman "A story isn't about a moment in time, a story is about THE moment in time." - W.D. Wetherell #writing #screenwriting
From @CurtissAnn (CurtissAnn Matlock): Water for Writing -- 5 Practices that Help Me Write: http://wp.me/p3let-vo #writechat #writetip
Interested in more hashtags? Check out 40 Twitter Hashtags for Writers on Daily Writing Tips ~ or conduct a search at hashtags.org.
Do you have a favorite hashtag ~ one that you check on more than others? Or one that you like to add to your tweets? What's your Twitter handle?
Several Women of Mystery are active on Twitter ~ Come follow us!
Laura K. Curtis @laurakcurtis
Lois Karlin @loiskarlin
Kathleen A. Ryan @katcop13
Cathi Stoler @cathicopy
Clare Toohey @clare2e
Elaine Will Sparber @EWSparber
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14 comments:
The hashtag is one of the reason that I don't have an account on Twitter anymore - I get too many mails that now someone send at note of "finger in the nose" "ran out of toilet paper" "My son use special dipers..." and so on - Yes! I know I might not know the right people, but it is sure annoying when someone kind of flooding my inbox with such uninteresting stuff. Sorry just had to get it out of my chest :) It is kind of a compatition to see how many followers you can get. (have been on twitter 2 years so I believed it was enough) Hope you all get at great sunny day wherever you are. :)
I am trying to avoid one more distraction although it would be fun.
I have to go with Patti on this one.
It presently takes me anywhere from two days to two weeks to respond to an email that requires a thoughtful response, which is basically anything other than "thanks for writing."
I now read the dozen or so blogs I follow approximately once a week, check out the posts and comments since I was last there and rarely have the time to comment myself.
I limit FB friends to people I've actually met, and only wander through the posts every couple of days.
I just don't have the time.
Still, I'm glad that so many people enjoy it. Good for them.
Terrie
And now Google is opening a FB like site. We'll see what that does.
Hi Mariane,
Thanks for joining in the conversation. Twitter certainly isn't for everyone. If someone was tweeting inane crap, I'd unfollow them. Also, by clicking on one's profile name (in the upper RH corner) choose "settings" in the dropdown, then "notifications" - and click or unclick WHEN you'd like to receive email notifications - IF AT ALL - avoiding the influx of emails. By all means, if it feels like you're serving time, it's time to get paroled ~ so I don't blame you for abandoning ship.
I don't feel like its a competition. Considering my law-enforcement background, I'm a firm believer in sharing information, and it's what Twitter is all about. It means choosing only the folks you enjoy following.
The sun is shining here on Long Island today! Hope you have a sunny one, too, Mariane!
Hi Patti,
Thanks for weighing in on the Twitter topic today.
It is fun! If it wasn't, I wouldn't be involved! I hear 'ya about distractions ~ so many obligations take us away from writing. It's a constant battle to preserve and obtain precious writing time when life presents so many demands.
One aspect I truly enjoy is giving shout-outs to fellow writers as they celebrate a book release, when they've written a fascinating blog post, announce an upcoming appearance, hold a flash fiction challenge, etc. I like sharing information about writing contests that fellow writers might want to give a try. I spread the word about writers conferences. I appreciate when fellow writers tweet the same! It's another facet of the writing community, and the writers on Twitter that I interact with seem to be enjoying it, too.
Hi Terrie,
I'm the busiest person I know. I enjoy Twitter so much, I can't imagine life without it. I find it a phenomenal information-sharing device. It's an amazing venue to connect with folks I might not have connected with otherwise. Twitter is certainly not a fad; but it's not for everyone.
I've been following the Casey Anthony trial, and FB and Twitter have added such an interesting dimension and dynamic. When I watched the OJ Simpson trial, I could only yell at the TV. Now I can converse with other trial watchers - instantly ~ and so can the commenters who are live on television ~ in real time! It truly is the first Social Media trial of the century.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post and to comment ~ I appreciate it, Terrie.
Considering our cancer-surviving backgrounds, we have that extra edge of savoring the gift of time, and knowing how to wisely spend it.
That sounds amazingly complicated. Another good reason not to get on Twitter. :)
Twitter is also one of those things that's easier to explain while you're using it. Showing people strings of hashtags for a trending topic seems to get the "Eureka" so much faster than explaining without Twitter running nearby.
Definitely, when I need to concentrate, Twitter is not my friend. But when I'm on, I always see something of interest and have a little fun. The key for me is that I can't have it running in the background like some people prefer. I'm the one who likes to work in quiet, while other people hum and chat, and that makes them more productive.
I have found a place for Twitter in my heart and in my style of usage. Thanks for the informative post, #Kathy !
My attitude is a bit in-between. I am still trying to make sense of twitter, but enthusiastic - no, not really. But I don´t let twitter take much of my time; I check what´s up once or twice a day as I also know about all these social media that swallow your reading time.
Hey Charles,
It may sound more complicated than it really is. I'm self-taught. I just signed up, and gave it a shot, trying to tweet once a day to get my feet wet. I caught on quickly and "got it." Whatever I didn't understand, I sought the answers. Thanks for chiming in!
Hi Clare,
I agree ~ it's easier to teach in person. Sounds like you've found your Twitter balance! I always appreciate when you live tweet from events ~ it's the next best thing to being there!
I recently attended an agents/editors/writers luncheon...I asked at least 10 people if an official hashtag had been designated for the event for those live-tweeting; I got blank stares. As the keynote speaker, a respected NYC agent, finished his speech, he advised, "You all better know what a hashtag is."
Hi Dorte,
I'm very proud of your efforts on Twitter ~ you're giving it a shot. It can be overwhelming to start something you're unsure of. I was apprehensive at first, too...but took baby steps, and before I knew it, I was leaping.
You're very wise to realize the potential of social media swallowing up time (especially writing time!).
I am a big user of hashtags. Some of the most intelligent conversations I have had have been experienced using # chats. It also adds to the community aspect of social media. You did a good job of explaining it. I will look for those hashtags.
Thanks, Lu, for stopping by Women of Mystery, and for adding your comment ~ especially about the community aspect ~ great point!
Where to begin. These comments range from people who don't understand twitter or social media at all from comments on the original topic, which I think was hashtags.
I will make it simple.
You don't have any business being in business if you don't communicate with your customers.
Your customers are on twitter.
Go there.
Use hashtags to better communicate with them and participate in discussions that are meaningful to them.
Or don't. Let your competition do that.
That's about it.
I may not be a women OR be mysterious, but I have found Twitter to be an amazing tool. Yes, it is a tool and as such you need to know how to use it. It takes a little time, but you WILL be able to master it after a brief period of experimention.
I have met and networked with some great people - globally, nationally and regionally through Twitter. I have learned much about marketing and business (two of my interests) and life.
The hashtag is a terrific "device" to link up with those who have similar interests as you do and you want to network / communicate with. The hashtag is also used for Twitter Chats - of which there are about 300 on all types of subjects. The Twitter chats are fast & furious and fun.
I would suggest that you use the Twitter apps either Tweetdeck (I use this) or Hootsuite to better navigate through Twitter.
With a little work, you can greatly broaden your horizons.
And for those of you in marketing or who own a business - remember: your Customers use Twitter.
Hi Sueanne,
Thanks for joining in the conversation. I agree ~ Twitter is a 'must-have' for those in business. People stand to lose business by NOT using it!
Hi Steven,
Thanks for visiting Women of Mystery. You've also made several points about Twitter usage by business people, and I agree, it doesn't long to understand how to navigate it.
When i explain Twitter to the Twitter-shy, the light bulb usually goes off when I mention the importance of an RT (retweet), especially when a person doing the RT has 400,000 followers, for example. Imagine if you are trying to sell an e-book ~ and 400,000 sets of eyes have just learned about it.
It's an amazing FREE tool ~ what a marketing marvel!
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