Down & Dirty Guide to Using Hashtags

Twitter has become a very popular way to promote OOB productions, share ideas or insights and connect with other artists and theatre creators. The use of hashtags is a common practice that can help followers (and potential followers) search for specific topics or areas of interest, however they can sometimes be confusing. 

So, here is our 
Down & Dirty Guide to Using Hashtags:

THE BASICS

• Hashtags start with the "#" symbol followed by the word or phrase (no spaces) for example, #Knowledge  or  #KnowledgeIsPower
• Hashtags can appear anywhere in the tweet; beginning, middle or end
• Think of hashtags as key words or phrases that are relevant to your topic
• Hashtags help you categorize tweets or search for similar tweets
• Hashtags can help you contribute to an ongoing conversation. For example during the IT Awards ceremony we use #NYITAwards. Any tweet using that hashtag will be categorized together and will automatically be included in the our stream.

• The use of hashtags is one of the ways "trending" statuses are determined. If a hashtag is very popular and used by many people, that topic is identified as trending.

USES

Twitter has identified seven basic uses for hashtags:

1. Promotion of products, events or activities
   "Our show opens tomorrow. Buy your tickets today! #IntrepidPlayers"
2. Coordination of activities
   "Participants can get water on the corner of 34th & Broadway #CleanUpNY"
3. Memes
   "Flat Maria Irene visits the set of Donkey #FlatIndie"
   or maybe
   "Hey Girl, Seen any good indie theatre lately? #SeanWilliams"

4.  Context
   "There are so many great companies working #Off-Off-Broadway #OOBRules"
5.  Recall
     "Rehearsal at 6PM #schedulechange"
6.  Quotes
    "There are 2 kinds of theatre, commercial theatre & theatre that matters. 
     We're here to celebrate theatre that matters." ~ Edward Albee #quote
7.  Contribute to a conversation

TIPS & TRICKS

• Do not over use hashtags. Best practices suggest only 2 hashtags per tweet
• Do not use hashtags to spam. Make sure your hashtags are relevant to the topic
• Only use a hashtag if it adds value to your tweet
• Search for similar tags before creating your own
• Clicking on a hashtag, shows you all the other tweets using that hashtag

Check out this great post Twitter Hashtags: Nonprofits Speak Up

#OOBRules   #HeahterShoutOut