What is the Hashtag all about?

Image by Laura Hudson Mackay Photography

There is no secret science, tricks or great skill needed to make a #. At its most simple its # followed by letters or numbers without a space, and you make a word searchable. By using it, it can make Twitter a much richer and more interesting place. The # allows an open conversation to take place across Twitter, where by people can follow, join in and leave without having to follow each other or ever listen to each other again, or it can be the start of a great Twitter companionship!
I have grouped the # into 5 different types to make the different uses that little bit easier to understand, and therefore make it easier to join in with:

1) #Broadcasting
Typical examples ; #newsnight #OBEM (One Born Every Minute)
These are often around events, tv programs that want interaction with the audience, conferences.
When used it can add depth to an event, allow people to feed back, share learning, bring personal stories to the picture. A well managed #  provides an interactive platform from which to populate discussion both with those physically in the room as well as those who are virtually engaged. Typically presenters will talk about the # they want you to use, and that all tweets will need to use the # as prescribed to ensure their voice is heard.

2) Networking
#bizitalk #yorkshirehour #charitytuesday #sbs
These are groups online who are looking to connect with other like minded groups, often these are businesses.
Sometimes these # operate for a specific time ie #sbs @theopathetis Small Business Sunday  5:30pm - 7pm, or #yorkshire hour 8pm-9pm on Wednesday's. Others operate throughout the week, ie #bizitalk. These are intended as networking events, you need to think about what you want to achieve from these, is it contacts in your local area, or business partners to work on further projects with.

3) Searchable
#places #politics #activities

Image from Laura Hudson Mackay Photography

This is a type used when you are not necessarily trying to join in a current conversation but to remain part of an ongoing longer term conversation about a particular sphere of interest that you want to associated with. Often events use a geographical location as it connects people in the area to what is going on.

4)  Just because
Some people (including me) use the # as a point of emphasis, quite often these are funny, sometimes poignant and often ridiculous. When doing this, its not expected it'll become a conversation, though sometimes it will. ie; #shortstraw

5) Trending
  these are #that have gone viral, there ripples have gone far beyond where they were originally sent. Sometimes they are related to politics ie #paxman when he appeared at the Leveson inquiry, other times to celebrities ie #LadyGaga, or the news #eurodebtcrisis and other times there appears to be little logic, other than, that is what people are interested in!

I know there is lots I haven't said, and I have placed some links below, for useful articles on the #.


techforluddites information around how to create an interest group #
mashable tips for using #
Hub Spot tips for using #
social media examiner tips for a twitter chat