Comments on: A #hashtag As A Platform

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:53:15 +0000

Hey!”I love hashtags because there are available to be used without any additional effort on the part of the user”That for me is a big clincher. It's so easy to get into the platform.The problems that I do see are where the hashtag is abused. How are you thinking about guiding the direction of the hashtag?Thanks for the comment,Scott

By: ion interactive

ion interactive — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:42:17 +0000

Hi Scott. I love hashtags because there are available to be used without any additional effort on the part of the user. They often come as an afterthought when typing out a tweet but before hitting send. At ion we've just started a Twitter chat to bring our community together once a week to talk about the conversion optimization industry, best practices, to brainstorm together and so on. Users also use our hashtag (#CROchat) throughout the week to share articles of interest with other participants (I shared this article! ). So far we're finding it to be great for community building, and creating relationships with others in the industry.

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:08:58 +0000

Hey1. Yes – most people don't want to have Conversation WITH a brand, they want to have a Conversation ABOUT a brand.So you're example with Virgin – it's not likely to happen. But Virgin should be monitoring that keyword and engaging people who mention it – if the need is there.2. Hashtags are not badges like Facebook pages are. A hashtag is used on a tweet once. Consistent use requires consistent engagement, else it fades and you have no idea it is there.It is not “opt-in”, it is “always-opt”.A Page, however, can be joined and forgotten about. Not with a hashtag. A hashtags platform followers are determined by the engagement, not the numbers.3. You can only protect a hashtag by being a great platform that has a community that self moderates.Thanks again for the comments – nice to talk!Scott

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:05:12 +0000

Look forward to hearing about it!

By: nicktadd

nicktadd — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:58:04 +0000

Cool, well given that our property forum is just having a re-vamp I'm going to bring all the platforms to bear – I'll keep all informed.With interest I'm using SM2 from Alterian so I should be able provide some good data sets.N

By: jonged

jonged — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:39:54 +0000

Scott,”When I think about Facebook Pages and Facebook Groups, I consider most of them to be very static, with people only ever leaving one or two messages on the walls and then leaving them as badges on their profile…”Could this simply because people perhaps don't want to engage on a large scale with a brand? For example:Johnny to VIRGIN MOBILE: You guys have given me the best connection ever! I'm so happy! Woop! Please add me to a mailing list! xoxo – Its probably fair to say that to any of the non-tech savvy friends who I know will think I'm a complete nut, even if they have been involved in say Twitter or something similar. Perhaps someone might engage once or twice on a Facebook Page/Group/Social Network . I was reading an article the other day about the rentention rate of Twitter being roughly 40% suggesting that you could be having a conversation with a completely valid engager, but what happens when they leave? Does one dismiss the conversation because the user is simply not online? How would you even know who that person is away from their social network nickname? Can there opinion be counted towards anyother than a metaphorical telephone conversation using a different medium?For every post left slating or even praising a brand, I wonder how many use either traditional methods of E-Mail or even (I hope not) telephone. I would imagine the former traditional method completely outweighs online generated buzz and its effects.I guess it could be me, but if I start seeing loads of interaction between a friend and a brand on any Social Network I generally think its slightly phoney?Do you not believe that the same could be applied to a “hashtag”, yet without the badge on profile bit? Again, a personal preference is “Interact when Necessary, Not all the time”. Interestingly the other day I hashtagged a large clothing retailer (bit skint, want a new pair of shoes on the cheap like!) in a way naively hoping for at the very least a company representative to send me 'Deffo buy these shoes and perhaps a cheeky discount code or something ” Instead I was “followed” by a bunch of strange fashion type bots and essentially just spammed…. How would you protect a Hashtag from OTT abuse?It's getting too late for this kind of talk! I'm starting to go around in circles in my head…!Take Care

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:00:30 +0000

Hey JonnyThe point is that a hashtag can go across all social spheres – where as a bespoke social network does not.If I see anyone use “#likeminds” anywhere, then thats' the platform – no matter what platform it's on.I think our tools need to become more like this. Check out: http://scobleizer.com/2010/03/27/the-seven-need…

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:58:30 +0000

Hey – yes I think this is a better development – linking a platform to your desired results.I think I can see a model here!

By: nicktadd

nicktadd — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:55:59 +0000

Hhmm, could be – in fact bang on I would say. May I extend the compliment, having #likeminds permanently placed on my seesmic, allows me to monitor and get into the chatter.So what we're saying here is depending on the desired outcome, may dictate “platform” whether that might be #hashtag or specific social network.Having said that, in reality there are no boarders or rules.N

By: Scott Gould

Scott Gould — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:34:41 +0000

Totally – you guys have an awesome platform and an very strong audience. I wonder though, for those starting communities now, how they will get enough attention to pull people to a bespoke location.I think a large part is tied into the desire outcomes. LIke Minds is chatter around an event – whereas 4walls is buying property – so I think a hashtag serves LIke Minds, but a more custom platform suits 4walls.You agree?