Beware hashtags

If you're using Twitter then you understand the importance of the Hashtag. It allows content to be associated with other content of the same topic so that people can follow a topic. You can read Webtrends definition of a hashtag. 

What people need to keep in mind is when you do use a hashtag you are now associating to the existing use of that hashtag, for instance DiGiorno pizza used #whyistayed which was set up for serious discussion on women in abusive situations which is not how they were using it to promote pizza.

Recently someone came to me and wanted to put a Hashtag in front of an adjective which was a brand effort to describe an educational event, however, without researching how that word was currently being used in Twitter they would have been associating with a sports related audience which was not the target market.

Research first before you use a Hashtag. Only use hashtags that facilitate a conversation or connection around the topic.