This blog post is really not for you if you think you have a full and complete grasp on Facebook and Twitter. It is for you if you don’t understand this little symbol, “#” … or if you think you do!
The hashtag is a powerful little symbol:
- it tracks trending topics on Twitter
- anyone can create a #hashtag
- your hashtag isn’t just for you (#butthatcanbehumourous)
- to gain full value from a hashtag you need to use and monitor it
- by monitoring a commonly used hashtag you can create rapport with potential customers
Not everyone uses both Twitter and Facebook, but if you happen to be using both platforms on a regular basis let me suggest the following tips:
- The hashtag, “#”, gains most of its relevance on Twitter (though not limited to this platform or just to Twitter users)
- Twitter messages that auto-publish to Facebook should follow some rules
- Facebook messages that auto-publish to Twitter should also follow some basic rules
- Copy, paste and edit, while extra steps will make your social media messages clearer
To say the hashtag is useless on Facebook would be an understatement. You are likely going to find more people using Facebook than Twitter (500M vs 106M in 2010) and there is a good chance they know the “#” symbol from using a phone not from using a Twitter account.
Bottomline: Don’t use this, “#”, on Facebook.
When you connect your accounts (publish from one platform to the other) don’t allow this “#” or this “@” to end up on Facebook. Users wanting to center out someone in a Facebook group discussion may use “@Joe” to direct a comment. If you and Joe are friends you will notice that Facebook will automatically try and replace your “@Joe” with Joe’s full name. Genuine Twitter handles have virtually no value on Facebook.
Bottomline: This, “@joeboy what did you think of the #NBAplayoffs #MiamiHeat rock!” on Twitter and this “Joe, what did you think of the NBA Playoffs? The Miami Heat rock!” on Facebook.
If you are using TweetDeck (or similar) and your Twitter account is also set to auto-publish to Facebook, you run the risk of posting your annoying hashtags twice on Facebook! Let me give you another tip; a Facebook message over 140 characters auto-publishing to Twitter will always be shortened!
Bottomline: Get your Social Media under control!
It does take more time but copy, paste and edit to keep your Facebook messages clear of Twitterease; it is worth it. Let us know if this information helped and feel free to offer other Social Media tips in the comments below.
