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Social media sites, especially Twitter has been the center of talk at least this year. It mentored the launch of a small video-sharing app Vine as well as ventured into e-commerce by bagging a deal with AmEx just this week.

Hashtags are somewhat "the thing" used by celebs, businesses and the common users to articulate their opinions in a minimalist "140" manner. In fact it has been popularized by businesspersons that "hashtag" was voted as the Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society.  Social media has become such a rage that parents now name their babies Facebook and Hashtag!

Having said that, it is quite self evident that the #hashtag can be a real handy tool for those businesses looking to catch some serious attention. Its a fair promotional gimmick!

We are adding on a few more tips to our earlier post along the same lines.Here are some pointers that businesses or for that matter any writer who uses Twitter virally can follow to extend their purview of participation.

1. Identify your purpose

The utility purpose of a hashtag is to streamline both the digital and verbal content that is shared on the site. By using a hashtag along with a tweet, the user facilitates the content to be indexed under  a particular theme. Its not only easy for users to find their choicest topics but diverts them to appropriate host taggers.

2. Optimum use

The protocol is do not go overboard with using hashtags if it earns you some initial returns. Stick to a single or maximum two hastagged conversations unless you want the spammer tag for yourself.  The most striking example was Firegram, an Instagram app that converted hashtags on graphics and pictures to make them more search viable. However, it ended up doing almost the opposite- created more of spam and was eventually taken off the hooks for good.

3. Short is Sweet

Twitter's USP has been its short and point  blank range 140 character tweets. The logic with hashtags is the same. the message has to be clear and cleanly spelt for appropriate content indexing. Moreover, its best to remember that unless it is absolutely necessary avoid using hashtags continously as its going to be an extra character in your tweet.

4. Give it a promotional ring

The supreme purpose of using hashtags is to make your idea on the social network stand out and give it a direct appeal garb. So it becomes all the more important to post it on multiple places for visibility. Hashtags when used smartly can generate good interaction between the business and customers.

5. Getting inspired is not bad

The main aim of persons using hashtags is to specify a set purpose. Hence popularizing it becomes difficult in a situation where multiple conversations on the theme are on. Well the simple and practical suggestion is that there is no harm in jumping into such conversations. Users can also search the web for popular categories and start their own conversations fitting the niches. There is always the option to change or divert the interaction by changing the use of a hashtag.

6. Be An Open Source

Anything that goes on Internet is virtually open to all for use. Or misuse. What users should do is have an open heart and mind. If you can borrow or get inspired from something that you stumble upon, others also enjoy the same privileges.

To avoid the misuse of your hashtag it is important to sound your message validly. Keep them short to avoid misappropriation. If possible, try to come up with smart acronyms that define you and your ideas, mostly in an alpha-numeric pattern.

Put these simple and practical tips to use and you can avoid a lot of hassles while connecting with your audience.

Share with us your thoughts about the use of hashtags by leaving a comment for us.

Stay tuned for more lasting tips with E-junkie.