Twitter Hashtags and Trending Topic

On June 5, saw the launch of Nokia’s new mobile device; n97. But I’m not writing to speak about the device or the event, Neither was I invited nor attended. However, I’m writing this article in sharing how social media and bloggers powered the event using Twitter.
 

There are a couple of elements you should notice from the Twitter conversation above. These elements weren’t only flooding Twitter but instantly telling Google how important was the phrase used; n97kl.

Words with hash in front of them are called, hashtags. These tags are like keywords Twitter users use to identify a unique name or event or person – almost anything.

And the more users who use the same hashtag, it creates a trending topic – like ShaolinTiger mentioned. Trending topics are very powerful like getting #1 on page #1 of Google but it’s for Twitter.

Though Twitter is very slowly gaining popularity, it’s growing very fast. Last I heard, even some of the radio DJs have hopped onto it – Moots, Natalie, Pietro, Phat Fabes and etc.

And by the way, Twitter is one of the social media marketing tools you should be looking at for your business.

Malaysia Defense Ministry Website is Lost Online

No surprise, huh? Well, let me show you another unsurprising sight I found when I visited the Malaysia Ministry of Defense website on June 9.

What in the world is happening to the Malaysia government websites online? Bad enough it’s been reported Malaysia government websites aren’t updated in a scheduled manner. But now, a Malaysia government website can still be found experiencing downtime.

Well, here are more embarrassing news comparing the Malaysia defense ministry website and other international defense ministry websites. While some Malaysia government websites are down or catching up with the technology trend, the US navy are employing social media like blogs, YouTube, FlickR and Facebook!

Image source: Guy Kawasaki

But that’s only for the US Navy. The British army’s website is now running a recruitment campaign to get more people interested in the army. And mind you, this isn’t some “we want you” marketing idea your local agency would recommend.

It’s a full interactive campaign placing you as an army commander with game like options to select the best motive of strategy. In it, they’ve even incorporated weapons introduction and training like how you play on a computer game. Plus, you can even experience a full 3D environment!

This is what makes people interested in the army. This is what makes youngsters being recruited at 17 years old want to experience the army.

This is one of the examples the Malaysia ministry of defense needs to keep in mind if they want 90% of students to not freak out about having to join the National Serrvice program.

Don’t they feel the least bit embarassed when compared to others?