As the title implies this article relates to hashtags authors may utilise for connecting with fellow authors. Even the most introverted author will appreciate being part of a likeminded community. The comparative anonymity of online interaction helps those who seriously struggle with public exposure to share and learn.
New authors, and some not so new, can make the mistake of thinking because their primary aim and goal is to gain readers (who have hopefully purchased the book first rather than having been given it) they only need to communicate with them. That would be a mistake. Authors, especially in these days when independent (indie) authorship is in prominence, really should interact. Why? Well, first, it helps to know there are others who are facing the same issues and challenges and secondly, authors are also, or should be, readers. Authors may learn from each other, with those further along the path than their peers able to share knowledge and experiences. In their turn, they may also learn from the questions, issues, and resolutions their compatriots raise and share. It would be very arrogant for anyone to think they have nothing further to learn. No one ever knows everything. The truth is everyone continues to learn right up to the day they depart this world.
An article dealing with hashtags authors may utilise to connect with readers has been previously published. It may be accessed from either the link here or that at the end of this article.
To make this, as far as possible, a standalone article, some of the following will be a repeat of what has been previously shared. Undoubtedly, most people reading this will be familiar with the concept of hashtags nevertheless, just in case someone new to social media is reading this, here is a brief overview.
Hashtags are a way for users to highlight content as being relevant to defined topics, themes, events, conversations, etc. In effect a hashtag is the equivalent of a keyword that people use in descriptions of their product or service. Hashtags always commence with the # sign. This is immediately followed, without any space, gap, or punctuation, by the defining text. Where the text comprises more than one word, these must be strung together, again without any space, gap, or punctuation. Unless this is done the systems that monitor hashtags will not be able to read the full content. They will only recognise the #and immediately following text. For example: #authorevent will be read in its entirety and therefore indicate the content is related to exactly that: an author event. However, if the hashtag is written as #author event, only the #author part will be recognised. Consequently, though the content will be identified as relevant to authors it will not serve the user’s intent to draw attention to some event. Hashtags are also a means by which anyone interested in a specific topic, subject, theme, etc., may locate content relevant to it and where they may also find people with similar interests. Further information may be found in the previous Hashtags (#) article.
Some may ask why this discourse only focuses on 15 hashtags? The majority of articles relating to hashtags tend to simply provide a little background followed by endless lists of tags without any further insight. This does not really assist potential users of the tags. The intent here and in other similar articles is to provide some general observations with respect to each of the named hashtags, thereby enabling the user to make a more considered decision.
Regrettably, many authors abuse the hashtag facility by utilising inappropriate ones in an attempt to boost their self-promotional tweets and posts. To provide the information below, many #hashtags were examined and many had to be discarded because of this inappropriate use. Users (authors in this instance) should bear in mind a major constituent of social media is: to build relationships; to share meaningful content ; to engage in a positive manner; to relevantly contribute; etc. Constant advice is for people to remain on topic when contributing to a discussion.
Now to the primary subject of this article. The following should be noted before perusing the table below:
Hashtag choice: Many hashtags have been examined. The aim is to provide fifteen relevant and usable options authors may utilise for connecting with other authors. With the existence of hundreds, probably thousands, of hashtags it is not easy to find the most relevant but it is hoped the ones listed will assist those reading this article to achieve their aim.
General observations: These are based upon casual examination of a selection of tweets and Instagram posts which utilise the tag.
Popularity: The popularity of a hashtag has been determined through general observation and a few statistics encountered. The writer in unable to guarantee complete accuracy of the rating. Some of the tags listed below are top level under which users may also discover sub tags that may be more appropriate to purpose.
Limited: Tends to be mostly used by the same limited number of people.
Author chat; sharing; experiences: Authors sharing about their lives; writing, and publication experiences; and some miscellaneous insights or thoughts. Other similar identifiers are equally general and hopefully self-explanatory.
Gender: To formulate meaningful text it may help to know the breakdown between female and male users.
Age range: It is noticeable the age range of Instagram users remains consistent throughout. However, though there is some consistency, the same may not be said of Twitter users. Again, the age range may impact how someone chooses to phrase a tweet.
Note: The following list is no particular order. There is no preferential implication.
| #Hashtag | Twitter (General Observations) | Instagram (General Observations) | Gender (Approximate Split) | Primary User Age Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #writingcommunity | Popular Author Chat. | Popular Mostly quotes and extracts. | F – 52% M – 48% | TW: 25-34 INST: 18-34 |
| #amwriting | Popular Writing advice and observations. Author chat. | Popular Author chat. | F – 53% M – 47% | TW: 25-34 INST: 18-34 |
| #writerslife | Limited Author insights and experiences. | Popular Quotes, extracts and some author encouragement. | F – 52% M- 48% | TW: 25-34 INST: 18-34 |
| #indieauthor | Limited Advice, services and some limited author sharing. | Mostly Self-Promotion. Some author chat. | F – 46% M – 54% | TW: 25 – 34 INST: 18-34 |
| #authorhelp | Authors sharing insights and experiences. Some inspiration, advice and services. | Author inspiration. | TW: F – 100% INST: F – 55% M – 45% | TW: 25-34 INST: 18-34 |
| #authorcommunity | Author chat, advice. Some author services. | Author chat. | TW: M – 100% INST: F – 55% M – 45% | TW: 25-34 INST: 18-34 |
| #writingtips | Popular Author advice and sharing. | Author inspiration. | TW: F – 44% M – 56% INST: F – 55% M – 45% | TW: 25-44 + limited 18-24 INST: 18-34 |
| #writingadvice | Authors sharing knowledge and experience. | Authors and groups sharing writing insights. | F – 56% M – 44% | TW & INST 18-34 |
| #aspiringauthor | Author chat, sharing and advice. | Author chat. | TW: F – 42% M – 58% INST: F – 55% M – 45% | TW: 25-44 INST: 18-34 |
| #authorssupporting authors | Popular Authors sharing other authors work. Authors seeking and receiving advice. | Author fun. Author chat. | F – 53% M – 47% | TW: 25-34 + limited 18-24 INST: 18-34 |
| #writingabook | Author chat and advice. | Popular Author chat and insights. | TW: F – 25% M – 75% INST: F – 55% M – 45% | TW: 25 – 34 INST: 18-34 |
| #writingproblems | Authors sharing experience. Author chat. | Authors sharing insights. | F – 53% M – 47% | TW: Predominantly: 18-24 Substantial: 25-34 INST: 18-34 |
| #authorgoals | Authors sharing updates. | Author updates. | F – 56% M – 44% | TW: Spread across 18-64 INST: 18-34 |
| #writerscafe | Author chat and encouragement. | Author chat and inspiration. | TW: F – 43% M – 57% INST: F – 55% M – 45% | TW: 25-34 + limited 18-24 & 35-44 INST: 18-34 |
| #authorlife | Popular Author chat and experiences. | Author chat and sharing. | F – 51% M – 49% | TW: Spread across 18-54 INST: 18-34 |
Some other things to note:
Professional and experienced advice is to utilise a mix of popular and less popular hashtags. Popular ones will provide broader exposure but at the same time mean the tweet or post may easily get lost among the preponderance of content. Less popular tags will help the tweet or post gain higher profile and therefore, hopefully, greater attention.
There is also the matter of language. In Twitter the language utilised is primarily English whereas with Instagram there is a considerable mix. This may impact upon how usable a hashtag is for gaining the attention the author seeks.
Anyone may create a hashtag consequently the list of available options is endless. Prior to utilising one users are advised to check it out by entering the tag (with the #) in the respective site’s search bar and examine the tweets and posts that come up.
Related articles, which readers of this may also find helpful:
15 Twitter and Instagram #Hashtags for Connecting with Readers
Hashtags (#) – Provides further background and information.
Best Times for Posting on Social Media – Provides a general guide to optimum posting times.
T. R. Robinson Publications 
Hi Tanya,
I found this very helpful. I am always trying to learn more about twitter. I used to make up all kinds of hashtag terms, whatever fit my topic. But I have since learned to limit them and use similar ones each time.
Thanks very much,
Amy
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Thank you Amy. It can be difficult knowing which hashtags to use, mostly comes from trial and error. A further future article may consider the creation of personal hashtags.
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