Since the Internet and the English language first collided, words have gathered new meaning like friend and widget. Nouns have become verbs, like Google it and YouTube it. And new words have been invented, like Twitterverse and HootSuite. Like the vlog and the mashup, so too is born the tweetup!
A tweetup is simply a networking opportunity for people who use social media like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to meet offline and in person. The topic of the tweetup can be any shared interest of a community. NHL hockey fans in a Facebook group can organize a local tweetup, so can LinkedIn plumbers.
The key to a tweetup is ensuring people can follow the conversation on Twitter. That's where the #hashtag comes into play (see previous blog entry for #). Interested parties plug the hashed words into search and can view the conversation and take part!
From California to Connecticut, folks on Twitter - or tweeps - are meeting up offline. Interested in how it works? Stay tuned...
Have you been wondering what the Twitter hashtag is about? Also called a pound sign or number sign, the hashtag, or #, has a very distinct purpose on Twitter. The # is placed in front of a word or group of words (no spaces) to identify it as a topic and organize it for tracking and trending. The word or phrase will become “clickable” and will allow Twitterers to follow what people are saying.
For example, I attended the PR News Summit in Manhattan a couple weeks back. Seminar organizers started the hashtag #prnsummit. Every time conference-goers tweeted, we put #prnsummit in the tweet. By simply clicking on #prnsummit, users can track what was being tweeted and retweeted at the conference.
Here are some fun, more global uses for the #:
·#MusicMonday (or #MM): Encourages Twitterers to tweet what they’re listening to on Mondays
·#TravelTuesday: Where ya headed?
·#FollowFriday (or #FF): Who do you follow with great tweets? (Tweet Example: Favorite social tweets! @mashable @scobleizer @paullyoung #FF)
Visit Web sites like whatthetrend.com or whatthehashtag.com to find out what people are talking about on Twitter. Sites like these track trending topics and define popular hashtags.
My personal favorite hashtag? Well, those that know me will not be surprised to know that I follow the AP Style Guide on Twitter (@APStyleBook). One day, I was stumped on a style point:
Not only did “@apstylebook” alert the high court of style that I was in need of a ruling, but “#apstyle” is a hashtag followed by other grammar geeks like me! In no time at all, PR types and English majors from across the land responded to my call for help. Fascinating.
Incidentally, Web site is two words and it is capitalized.
So, when you see #Providence, #FF, or #oneletteroffmovies (a favorite of @jon_favreau) give it a click and see what all the fuss is about.
