Unless you’re entirely new to the world of the Internet we’re pretty sure you already know what a hashtag is, but on the off chance you’re experiencing the Interweb for the first time, the team at 121 would love to tell you more…

What is a #Hashtag?

The hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by a number sign (#) – like this: #121Creative. On Twitter – and now on Facebook and Instagram as well – creating a #hashtag, makes your content clickable, so you (or anyone else for that matter) can click the hashtag and automatically see all the other tweets that used the same hashtag.

Why use #Hashtags?

The main reason to use a hashtag – aside from #BuggingYourFriendsByMakingItHardForThemToFigureOutWhatYoureTryingToSay, is that is has the potential to make your content – and therefore your business – much more ‘searchable’ for anyone who might be looking for it.

For example, Number 2 on the most used business hashtags list in 2013 was #SmallBusiness. The small business hashtag allowed small business owners to network, share tips and easily find loads of information running a successful small business.

But it’s not just businesses getting in on the fun. Follow along using the hashtag for your favourite TV show and you get to see what the whole world is thinking about every scene as it unfolds. It will feel like you’re having a #WalkingDead party right in your own lounge room.

Hashtag marketing in action

There are lots of ways you can incorporate hashtags into your marketing strategy to encourage users to have a conversation about your brand.

One great example is Dominos Pizza, who ran an ingenious campaign encouraging tweeps to use their hashtag #letsdolunch. Every time someone tweeted #letsdolunch within the specified two hour time frame, Dominos reduced the price of their lunch pizza that day by one cent.

By the end of the two hour time period, the price of their lunchtime pizza had been reduced by more than half price, with an impressive 82,500 people using the hashtag in the allocated time period. Dominos also acquired over 4000 new Facebook followers during the campaign!