You Asked: What in the Heck are Hashtags?

October 16, 2015November 14, 2015 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 14 Comments

Welcome to the Cow Pasture’s, You Asked, the Experts Answer.

First up, a question from a recent Twitter chat. “What are hashtags and how do I use them? ”

I’m definitely not the expert on Twitter. So, let’s ask the experts.

“The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.”

How to #Hashtags:

Anyone can use a hashtag.
Place the # before a keyword (without spaces) to help categorize Tweets; examples include (#writingcontest, #flashfiction).
To find trending topics and those talking about it, search by the #keyword.
Can be placed anywhere in a Tweet and as a keyword in a blog post.
Use, clear, memorable, and common hashtags (those universally understood).

Advantages of Using Hashtags:

Lead to connections.
A search by #hashtag will help locate everyone who is talking about the topic.
Link’s you to social networks.
Increases traffic to your social sites and blog.
Can help you develop your own brand (#cowpasturechronicles).
People will notice you or your business.

Best Practices:

Don’t spam.
Don’t overuse hashtags, your message will be lost.
Twitter recommends no more than two hashtags per Tweet.
Make sure the hashtags you’re using are relevant and on topic.

There you have it, the run down on #hashtags. I hope I answered your questions, but if not, shoot me a note. Have another burning question? Submit it below in the comments.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.

Answers to Your Questions Found in the Cow Pasture

October 15, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

I’m having a wonderful time participating in, Robert Lee Brewer’s, 2015 October Challenge. The Writer’s Digest has been a favorite resource for me since the day I began writing in earnest. So, when the opportunity came to take part in a challenge focused on building and/or improving my platform, he could count me in.

It’s day 15 and I’m pleasantly surprised to find myself ahead of the game, so to speak. Yesterday, while chatting on Twitter with fellow challengers, several people expressed confusion regarding #hashtags. I’m not the expert when it comes to Twitter, but I did my best to answer their questions. The conversation reminded me of an idea for my blog, I’d been tossing around for a while, and decided now was the time.

Each week I’ll answer questions on writing, blogging, or any related topic, posed by my readers. I understand many of my readers are way ahead of the curve, but we all have questions from time to time, regardless of one’s experience. I don’t profess to know all the answers, but I can share what I‘ve learned and what the experts say.

So, here’s your chance, ask away. I’ll do my best to find the answers. Leave your question(s) in the comment section below and check out the first Q & A in my next post.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.

10 Ways to Improve Your Online Connections

September 16, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 5 Comments

My 100-word story, Connections, posted on the 10th seemed to resonate with many of my readers. I’m glad it did because it got me to thinking.

In this fast-paced world where nearly everyone talks in short bursts via text or Twitter, are we really connecting with each other or just going through the motions?

Connection Defined:

In the online world, these definitions take on a whole new meaning.

A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. Think social media or blogging.
The action of linking one thing with another. Hyperlinks and Pingbacks come to mind.
People with whom one has social or professional contact or to whom one is related, especially those with influence and able to offer one help. Perhaps, online writing groups, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Twitter is an excellent example. For a moment, me and the person on the other end, connect via 140 characters or less. Within minutes, it becomes a tidal way of tweets, retweets, mentions, and favors. But, how much do you really know about each individual behind those tweets? Do you take the time to visit each link? Or, do you skim over them, making notes to revisit later?

Blogs are different, at least for me. The pace is slower and more purposeful. Readers who comment provide specific feedback leading to further interaction and, hopefully, a genuine and lasting connection. I love hearing from my readers, venturing over to their blogs, putting a face to the name, and finding our common threads.

No matter how fast-paced our lives get, we all crave person-to-person contact. So, with all the social media how do we improve those connections?

10 Ways to Improve Online Connections

Don’t make the conversation one-sided. See something you like? Interact, even if it’s in 140 characters or less.
Listen to what is shared and respond accordingly.
Explore common interests and topics.
Make sure your content contributes to the conversation.
Search for Twitter chats or blogs relevant to your interest.
Make it personal when you comment or tweet.
Be selective. Don’t follow for the sake of following – look for common interest that brings you together.
Make sure what you’re sharing is relevant and thought provoking.
When content resonates with you, share it.
Don’t turn your online presence into a numbers game. It’s about connecting with people, not the number of followers.

So, what about you? Are you really connected?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.