Ahh, hashtags.

They are, quite possibly, the #1 tool on Twitter (see what I did there?), but they also cause some of the biggest problems.

So let’s talk turkey.  Hashtag turkey.

What are they?

Twitter defines them here.

Basically, they create internal one-click linking and search organization around Twitter.  That’s how they were intended to be used.

There are two general purposes for hashtags in Twitter.

1) Joining, following or creating a conversation.

Example: “I really liked this week’s American Idol show! #idol”

2) Snark/wit/irony.

Example: “I laughed so hard, Diet Coke came out of my nose #BecauseImAwesome”

Also, see the #YouMayNotBeASocialMediaPersorn transcript!

You can see the clear different.

#idol is an accepted search hashtag for comments about the TV show American Idol.

#BecauseImAwesome adds a certain snarky self-deprecation to the Tweet.

One enhances the visibilty, one enhances the content.

Both are totally cool.

But when they are misused, it makes you look, well, not good.

Here are some tips to rule the hashtag world:

1) Timing is key

In the American #Idol example above, anyone following that conversation will likely be doing so while the show is on TV (or shortly thereafter) or at least when it’s culturally relevant.  So, in-season, off-season breaking news, etc.  Tweeting on the hashtag in August when the show starts in the winter will likely be a lost cause.

2) Make sure it’s a used hashtag

Nobody wants to be shouting in the woods by themselves, right?  You worked hard crafting that perfect message, so make sure that you are tagging it with words people are actually searching.

A caveat here is to make sure you aren’t forcing something into an unrelated conversation just because it’s popular. If you have a link about coffee, don’t send it to a sports group, unless there is a logical tie in.

3) Build off other hashtags

Are you trying to start a unique conversation about something?  Post to other related hashtags to pique interest and attract attention.  It shouldn’t bother the folks over there.

A perfect example of this is when #SIDchat (Sports Information Directors) was launching.  They used the more established #SportsPRChat hashtag to find other SIDs who were on Twitter and interested in talking marketing.  Victory!

4) Be careful of auto-fills

This is my biggest problem that I work on.  I use Seesmic Desktop (which I LOVE).  The program suggests hashtags as you type – no matter how popular they may be.  It’s so easy to take their suggestions, but these are just as likely to be false leads as actual conversations.

What other hashtag tips do you have?

It’s Monday.

And if you’re anything like me, you need a burst of happiness and energy today.

So let’s cure that Case of the Mondays!

In one of the most shocking eliminations in show history, the American Idol viewers voted off stand-out Pia Toscano.

Despite being a favorite of judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson, she garnered the lowest amount of votes. And since the judges already used their one save to keep the talented but odd Casey Abrams, there was nothing they could do.

So, bye bye, Pia.

Sort of.

By making the Top 10, she’s guaranteed a spot in the lucrative annual concert tour.  She’ll continue to make business under the American Idol banner and has been the beneficiary of hours of nationwide TV exposure.

Know why I’m so confident her talent can rise above a reality show injustice?

Chris Daughtry.

Perhaps my favorite contestant the show has ever had, he was also cut too early in his season.  Should I mention his countless hit records that came after American Idol?  He’s become a legitimate rock star and hitmaker, crossing between light rock, hard rock, alternative, pop and country.  Versatile, popular, successful.

Pia, use Daughtry as an example.

And if you don’t want to follow the rocker, may I mention Jennifer Hudson?   While she only made it to 7th place, she has gone on to become one of reality TV’s true success stories.  She’s won an Oscar, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and more.  She’s a pop culture touchstone (not quite an icon yet), product endorser and an all-around entertainer.

Being released from Idol isn’t the end…just the beginning.

Bonus – here is Pia’s farewell song, “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders:

David Cook performing the Beatles’ classic on American Idol:

Just a few quick thoughts on Wednesday’s American Idol season 10 premiere!

- Nice video package at the start distinctly NOT mentioning Simon Cowell’s name.  (Or should we call him “He Who Shall Not Be Named?”

- Sometimes, it’s REALLY hard to tell Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler apart when they are sitting next to each other.

- Man, I would feel bad for Randy Jackson…but he’s making some serious coin for this gig.  I mean, people CRIED because they were in the presence of J-Lo!

- I do like that the focus was on GOOD Idol auditions, not bad ones.  It was a funny running joke for the first several seasons, but definitely wore out it’s welcome.

- I seriously miss He Who Shall Not Be Named.  His lack of presence was felt.

- If this season becomes the lovey-dovey season without a voice of tough-love reason, I may have to stop watching Idol.

- Wait – was that a Constantine Maroulis sighting at the beginning?  No chyron, either?  Yeesh…only one of the most popular contestants of all time and a Broadway star…

- Does anyone TRULY care about the music director?  Sorry, but I just don’t.

- Here is my favorite audition/story of the episode:

Note – You may not be able to handle this post.  That’s OK.  It’s not for everyone.

I throw around the word “awesome” quite often.

However, I feel I have let you down by not defining it, in a pop culture context.

“Awesome” things in pop culture are things you see and your only thought is “DUDE, THAT WAS AWESOME!”

Whew.  Glad I got that off my chest.

So now, to further clarify, here are some videos that are AWESOME.

And let’s end this list right about where we started it: