Today is #WriterWednesday and also the second anniversary of #amwriting – which has got me thinking about hashtags. There are now many Twitter hashtags out there that are useful to help writers promote their work, connect with other writers, and – well – write. How do you use them, and which should you use?
If you’re not yet familiar with hashtags, they are simply words or phrases used in tweets with the # symbol in front of them. Make sure you don’t use any spaces or punctuation, and they become links in Twitter that, when clicked, reveal a timeline of everyone whose tweets contain that hashtag. To make the most of your hashtags, include a relevant weblink where appropriate and where space permits.
Here are my top 10 hashtags for writers, with suggestions for how to use them – and a recent example of each plucked from the Twittersphere. Click on a few of them to get a feel for hashtags and how you might use them – and do share any others you’ve found useful in the comments below.
1. #amwriting
Writing can be a solitary experience, and Twitter is a great way of connecting with other writers. It’s like a virtual watercooler. #amwriting is a hashtag started by Johanna Harness as a way of supporting writers and fostering a sense of community. It even has its own website at amwriting.org. Use it to tell us what you’re working on, support and learn from others, and share your experience.
Crossing the 50K mark on this first draft tonight! Over halfway done and still right in the thick of things! #amwriting
July 27, 2011 7:29 pm via TweetDeck Reply Retweet Favorite
@sposcente
Stephanie Poscente
2. #amediting
If you’re at the editing stage, let people know and ask for any advice you need.
Writing is easy but crafting the words and honing the plot sure isn't! #amediting
July 27, 2011 4:20 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite
@mmrule
mmrule
3. #WriterWednesday
#WriterWednesday or #ww was originally intended as a way to give shout-out to writers / suggest authors to follow, or to share writing tips. In practice, it also covers pretty much anything else to do with writers or writing too.
A big #WriterWednesday shoutout to @johannaharness, whose #amwriting community is two years old today! http://bit.ly/oXUf2S #WW
August 3, 2011 12:56 pm via bitly Reply Retweet Favorite
@publishingtalk
Publishing Talk
4. #writetip
While #WriterWednesday is sometimes used to share writing tips as well as give shoutouts to writers, if you specifically want to share or find writing tips, use #writetip.
Avoiding distractions frees up more time to write http://ow.ly/5OoPh #writing #writetip
July 27, 2011 2:15 pm via HootSuite Reply Retweet Favorite
@JodyCalkins
Jody Calkins
5. #wordcount
For some people, regularly sharing your word count in public can be a great way to stay focused. Use it to share your successes (and failures!) and motivate yourself and other writers.
Today has been an AMAZING success. I successfully avoided writing a single word, leaving my August #wordcount at 777. #campnanowrimo
August 3, 2011 12:42 am via TweetDeck Reply Retweet Favorite
@mightylauren
Lauren Anderson
6. #followfriday
#followfriday or #ff is one of the most popular hashtags on Twitter, used on a Friday to suggest people to follow to your followers. Ideally, don’t just include a list of @usernames – tell us why we should follow the person or people you suggest. You can do them one at a time, or include a list of people grouped together by topic or reason.
#ff can help raise your profile too, if people return the favour, or at least thank you in public. This isn’t why you should do it – but it’s an added bonus if it happens.
Thank you! RT @miss_givans: #ff publishing folk: @LOSTINFICTIONUK @ThebutterflyT @scrollscast @lornableach @helenahalme @publishingtalk
July 29, 2011 11:33 am via TweetDeck Reply Retweet Favorite
@helenahalme
Helena Halme
7. #fridayreads
Another thing you can do on a Friday is tell us what you’re reading. This can be a good way of name-checking other authors your admire – or even promoting yourself if you can persuade your friends to include you in their #fridayreads!
Ideally, include the Twitter @username of the author and official hashtag for the book if either exist; and a link to the book on Amazon. If you have an Amazon Associates account, you might even earn a few dollars (pounds, euros etc.) if people buy your Friday Read on your recommendation.
And if someone else gives a shoutout to one of your books – whether one that you’ve written, or one that you’ve published – retweet it on your own Twitter account, and add it to your ‘Favorite’ tweets.
xoxo RT @thejumbles: Found a package from @penguinusa waiting on my stoop. Rules of Civility, my new #fridayreads; Penguin, my new crush.
July 29, 2011 2:35 pm via HootSuite Reply Retweet Favorite
@penguinusa
Penguin Books USA
8. #writingprompts
Use #writingprompts as a way of engaging with other writers by suggesting a trigger for a story; or to look for writing inspiration yourself. Sarah Salway starts her Twitter day with a writing prompt, for example. Also check #writingprompt (no ‘s’), since this is used too; and maybe throw in an #amwriting for good measure! You’ll notice that many of the hashtags in this list are combined where appropriate.
A writing prompt for today: The subtitle for your life #amwriting #writingprompts
August 2, 2011 7:36 am via web Reply Retweet Favorite
@sarahsalway
sarahsalway
9. #bookgiveaway
Running a book giveaway on Twitter? Use #bookgiveaway to help people discover it.
#bookgiveaway time! Which pig built a house out of bricks? 1st, 2nd or 3rd? Tweet us ur answer & u could win a copy of http://t.co/7MBBNph
August 3, 2011 1:20 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite
@fridayproject
Friday Project
10. #askagent
You know that you should never pitch to an agent on Twitter, right? They really don’t like it. However, you should follow them, and many are prepared to give advice on Twitter. #askagent is the hashtag to use, which some agents will seek out to answer your questions. #askpub and #askeditor are variations to ask questions of publishers and editors.
OK I am starting the August Open Thread early so you can hit me with your great questions. http://t.co/932UlDV #AskAgent
July 31, 2011 12:59 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite
@literaticat
jennifer laughran
Let us know which other hashtags you find useful – and find more practical Twitter tips in The Publishing Talk Guide to Twitter.