When I train clients on how to use Twitter (#WayTooMuchProBonoWork), I tell them how to use hashtags for events, trending topics, chats, and more. The lesser known benefit of hashtags is just downright silliness (#KnockKnockWhoIsThereSamAndJanetSamAndJanetWhoSamAndJanetEvening #SomeExchantedEvening #GetIt?).
Fortunately for me, I've discovered some other tweeters (yes, @staceysoleil, #SpandexQueen, is one of them) who share my love of all that's flip and sarcastic (#SmartAleck). Expressing yourself in 140 characters can sometimes be a challenge (#Impossible), but incorporating hashtags into your tweets can be quite effective (#WorthlessButFun). As a matter of fact, they can be quite liberating (#YouCanUseIdiotAsAHashtag).
A clever hashtag can be just as revealing and insightful as the content of the actual tweet itself (#SaidInMyMostTrustworthyProfessorVoice). They are also a way to show more of your personality (#DrJekyllOrMrHyde). The problem is that I now dream in hashtags (#MrSandmanSendMeATweet). I think in hashtags (#PleaseInsertACartoonBubbleAboveMyHead). I have to refrain from inserting hashtags into business emails (#MeetTheDeadlineOrDie). It's become a real problem (#PleaseSendMeMoneyForHashtagitisMeds).
Am I suffering in this alone (#CanWeFormASupportGroup)? Do you know my pain (#DoNotBeAfraidToStepForwardAndAdmitYouAreAfflictedToo)? Do YOU have #hashtagitis (#CanIGetAnAmen)?
Admitting your addiction is the first step on a long road of treatment (#FellowHashtagAddictsUnite). We can fight this together (#PowerInNumbers #HashtagRoyality). Sometimes I suspect I might be a lost cause (#GiveMeHashtagsOrGiveMeDeath), but I really think I can beat it (#NotAChanceInHEDoubleHockeySticks).
Can you relate? Let's talk about it (#DrAmberIsInTheHouse). Hello. My name is Amber and I have #hashtagitis (#InsertWordsOfSupportInTheCommentsBelow).
OMG! I just about spit Diet Pepsi out my nose when I read this post, LOL! It's true, it's true...I AM a total #UnapologeticHashtagHag ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL~!!! This is #TooFunny ~!!! I was in on a fun hashtag last night with @BuzzEdition after #OMG @HarveyLevinTMZ followed her, Susan let loose with a long tag: #DontJudgeMeIReallyLoveTMZ ~!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd, as you can see, Susan's last tweet ends with #LoveYaEvenWhenYouAreOutOfYourMind ;-)
I think Susan needs to come to your meetings~!! lol
x0x
Anita @ModelSupplies
You'll often see hashtags as the punchline for a joke tweet. #ObviousObservation. When I'm in a silly mood I'll throw them out everywhere. Otherwise I'll use a hashtag whenever I'm referencing an ongoing narrative in my stream. It's not perfect, but it helps tie things together.
ReplyDeleteFunny!! I still don't completely "get" #hashtags!
ReplyDeleteI did not have #hashtagitis before but I feel the symptoms coming on! #TooFunny
ReplyDeleteStacey: Thanks! You are anything but a hag, though, my dear. :-> #StaceySoleilIsACoverGirl
ReplyDeleteAnita: Thanks for your comment! I have reached out to Susan so she knows she's not alone. Admitting you have a problem is not easy. #HashtagAbuseIsNotACrime
Jay: You sound as though you have a firm grip on hashtags. No abuse in your family? Some of us are predisposed to the condition. #YouCannotFightHashtagitisInYourDNA
Wkkredfox: Thanks! Hashtags are just a way to group information. In the case of this post, they are just flat out silliness ;-> Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! #CommentsAreBetterThanChocolate
Kathy: Uh oh! Yes, I'm afraid to say that hashtagitis CAN be transmitted by mere suggestion. If you think you have symptoms, it may be too late for you. Give into it. #DoNotFightHashtagitis.
Amber, I am not fluent with twitter, let alone the fun that can be had with #hashtags. In need of some of your probono work. Kidding aside, this is one of the funniest things I have read in a while. I just can't imagine the time you put into this but you are sure bring a lot smiles and fun into a lot of lives. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteThe best is when you talk in hashtags..like when I find myself saying "Hashtag DUH!" in real life conversations -- even better when the people around you totally get it and laugh... #hangingwithyourtwitterfriendsIR #talkinglikeyouraretweeting
ReplyDeleteJerry: Thanks so much for leaving a comment! #YouRule! Actually, although it won't do much for my billable hours rates, this didn't take me long at all. Writing has always come very naturally for me. Your comment is very kind, though, and I really appreciate your nice words! #ItIsSoAwesomeWhenPeopleGoOutOfTheirWayToSaySomethingNice #ThankYou
ReplyDeleteZane: I feel your pain, sista! That's one of the things I love about meeting Twitter friends in person. It's like we all already get each other right off the bat! Thanks so much for RTing my post and for taking the time to comment (Especially since I'm not sure how you even found my post since we're not connected on Twitter! Although I AM following you now ;->)
#LookingForwardToCrossingYourPathInTheTwittersphere #HashtagsRule
I love hashtags!! Hi, my name's Tom and I have an addition. #lol
ReplyDelete#YouRock
#TwitterholicsAnonymous!
ReplyDelete#funny! #ifthisiswrongidon'twanttoberight
ReplyDeleteJennifer, looks like you're ready to join the #hashtagitis support group. #SupportGroupGirlsAreHot ;->
ReplyDeleteHello. My name is Sandra and I have #hashtagitis :D
ReplyDeleteAdmitting you have a problem is the first step in recovery! Welcome Sandra! You'll find lots of people here who share your affliction :-)
ReplyDeleteI just found this earlier today thanks to a LinkedIn group. There are a number of people to whom I must introduce this blog entry.
ReplyDeleteRight now!
Welcome Sandra! All #hashtagitis sufferers are welcome here. This is a safe place ;-)
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Ed! Glad to hear it. Always happy to meet more people who have the #HashtagMonkey on their backs!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Shevonne, and I am a #hash addict
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel, thanks for contributing to the discussion! If you have a specific message that you want to tweet (e.g. saving a dog from death row), those 140 characters are important and I completely understand not wasting them on a silly hashtag.
ReplyDeleteAs you'll soon discover, animals are very special to me, so thank you for your efforts to help find them homes! ^..^ I followed you on Twitter and should you choose to follow me back, hopefully my hashtag usage won't "hurt" your eyes too much ;-)
Thanks for the nice words of support, Rachel. I truly appreciate it. Glad you found my blog, too, and happy we connected! #MakingNewFriendsRocks #AnimalLoversUnite
#OMG....I don't think I have it..but #OMG..I can't stand to look at tweets that are ladened with them. My eyes need #help whenever I come across theses things. I have a standard set of hashtags that I use when I am announcing adoptable pets in NY because I have a feed on my blog that reads this set of hashtags...other than that....I don't use them too often because they "hurt" my eyes.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when it comes to announcing the adoptables....retweeting is really important...hashtags take up so much valuable space ....
I found your blog just today..and boy am I sorry that I didn't find you sooner....
I do one and only one hashtag called #petTheories in which house pets have a voice, and they are proving to be quite insightful, thought-provoking citizens thanks to the 140 character length limit. Lately, however, my dog's "woofs" to that hashtag have been evaporating entirely -- except they do appear on my Home and Profiles pages. Alas. Any advice? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am a massive hashtag abuser. Unlikely to stop anytime soon, plus am totally crossing it over to other social media like Facebook. #addicted
ReplyDeleteHi Whitney!
ReplyDeleteIf I understand correctly, you're saying that not all your tweets with the #pettheories hashtag are showing up when you search that hashtag, correct? If so, all I can say is...that happens. There are glitches sometimes and we all experience them at one point or another.
Here's what Twitter support has to say about missing hashtags: http://support.twitter.com/groups/32-something-s-not-working/topics/119-tweet-dm-problems/articles/370610-my-hashtags-or-replies-aren-t-working
You're my kind of gal! I have to stop myself from inserting hashtags into all my business emails. #SoAnnoying
ReplyDeleteWhy can't everyone embrace the wonder of hashtags like we have? #TrendSetters
Nice to meet a fellow #HashtagLover! :-)
There lies some beauty in a plain pure text tweet put wisely. Looks less pretentious and much more personnal and authentic. One sometimes really gets messed up with #Hashtagitis, and some are - in context - just show offs I fear.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I consider #hashtags as means to signal the whatabout of an issue in an ultrashort way, this esp. when using acronyms. Used this way they help enhance your adhering to a group you want to drop a message (or belong to). And to my experience it brings on followers.
I guess one should use #hashtags wisely. IMHO I consider them in part as a sort of typografic-intellectual form of art, you might have to be a little skilled for effective use though.
Great funny posting and comments, gave me insights, thanks!
There lies some beauty in a plain pure text tweet put wisely. Looks less pretentious and much more personnal and authentic.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I like #hashtags as means to signal the whatabout of an issue in an ultrashort way, this esp. when using acronyms. Used this way they help enhance your adhering to a group you want to drop a message (or belong to). And to my experience it can bring on followers you want adress.
I guess one should use #hashtags wisely. IMHO I consider them in part as a sort of typografic-intellectual form of art, you might have to be a little skilled for effective use though.
Great funny posting and comments, gave me insights, thanks!
I am sorry, twice was not intended! Please feel free to delete one.
ReplyDeleteI too cross it over almost everywhere, Facebook, (super casual) emails, or even texts :D #totallyhelpless #heyitisfun #tryit!
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding your thoughts to the discussion, Jeannette!
ReplyDeleteYeah, if you're at an event or conference, using the hashtag for the activity can certainly help you connect to new people and gain new followers. It's a wonderful way to connect!
Oooooohhhhh. I like thinking of hashtags as art! I'm without artistic abilities, so if I can get artsy credit via my hashtagitis, that is sweet! #HashtagsAreMyFormOfArtisticExpression
Yay, Nita! Welcome to our little support group!
ReplyDeleteDo you ever catch yourself wanting to talk in hashtags? Oh, it's a wonderful little affliction, isn't it? ;-) #HashtagsAreTheNewBlack
I love #&eggs but usually not 4 breakfast ;)
ReplyDeleteI use them in my e-mails, and my blog. On cards, even tried to explain them to my mum. #SisyphusJob
ReplyDelete(and yes, they are also handy for events and searches..)
Mmmm. Enjoy, Bella!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's why we have the @hashtagmafia. For chronic overusers of hashtags #jointheclub
ReplyDeleteI'm not only a member. I'm the president! #IHopeYouGetMyObscureHairClubForMenReference ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty funny. I don't believe I'm #guilty of #hhastagitis. :)
ReplyDeleteBTW - Diane Bjorling pointed me here after I wrote a post on Twitter.
Welcome, Sherryl! Also great to meet another #HashtagAddict.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's gald to read your post, but I wouldn't understand your meaning well. Thanks all the same.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mkmsinfotech.com