Twitter Hashtags

As I am now an official Twitter addict, I have researched a few of the techniques that will help me not only have fun on the social networking site but also, how will it help me promote my books?


Along with my battle of getting followers (the right followers), I have also had a battle of what to write and where to write it?


Of course, I could just write messages and post them but then they would just be going to my current followers and I want more.

So, I recently learnt about 'hashtags' and I must admit, they have helped me steadily get more followers from similar literary backgrounds.


The whole point in using Twitter (along with the other social networking sites) is to promote my work.


Now that doesn't mean my every post is about a book I have just written (as I don't want to use my account to spam my followers) but my profile picture is promoting my work and the 'hashtags' I use, in my messages, make sure my posts are being seen in the right circles and by the people I need to see them.


Twitter 'hashtags' are symbols you put before a word to make sure your message is seen in a certain message group.


For example, if you are a budding artist and you are using Twitter to promote your work, you would look for people who are interest in the type of art you produce.


Once you have found these people, you would research where they post there messages and follow their lead, e.g. you may have a particular piece of art you would like people to few on your website so you may post the following message, '#artlovers I love Damien Hurst's recent piece of work and have taken inspiration from this for my own design'.


Now without spam or over publising your work, you have made yourself known in the right circle, you are discussing a topic they are already talking about and you have spoken about your work without shoving it down there throats.


For my fellow self publishers, I would urge you to research essential Twitter 'hashtags' for writers and start posting some messages, such as your progress with your current written piece, the highs, the lows, ask questions in these circles, discuss books you are reading at the moment and reply to other tweets in the circles, as this will surely get you noticed.


Here are a few 'hashtags' I am using at the moment, which have not only helped me gain new followers but answered some questions about self publishing which really baffled me:

• #selfpub
• #indiepub
• #authors
• #amwriting
• #editing

Hope this helps and keep checking this blog for more helpful information on all aspects of Twitter, other social networking sites and self publishing.