Hashtags are used on twitter to group conversation on a certain subject. When a tweet is sent, a hashtag, using the # symbol, plus letters can be added. This hashtag then acts as a hyperlink to a search of all tweets using the same hashtag.

For example, during television program Q&A on the ABC, many people will participate in real-time discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #QandA.

You can also use hashtags at events to group discussion and share insights.

#Snappy

Choose a snappy hashtag which doesn’t take up too many of the 140 characters available in a tweet.

Unique

Make your hashtag unique – make sure you do a search for it before you select it.

Share

At an event communicate your hashtag to your audience on brochure covers and in housekeeping talks. In broadcasts communicate your hashtag on screen or by announcement.

Include

Where possible, incorporate discussion on the hashtag in real time. Think scrolling tweets on-screen during television broadcasts, incorporating questions from twitter into debate at events, or even having a screen at events displaying live tweets (check that these are moderated for relevance).

Participate

As the host, be part of the conversation. Include a link to your website occassionally so that people who are watching the hashtag can gain context.