No matter where you look to on Twitter, hashtags are there. Heck, you can even find them on Google+ now, too.

They are the glue that help bind together tweets on specific topics, and they’re used in many other ways.

But, I’m sorry to say, it’s time for some reform.

There are many ways to reform them, but I’m seeking just two. Those reforms are about hashtag stuffing and hashtag capitalization.

Stuffing full of hashtags

We all know those tweeps: People or businesses that stuff as many hashtags into a tweet as possible. It’s almost the gamification of hashtags.

You can put 4 hashtags into a tweet? Ha! I can stuff in 7.

It doesn’t work. If a hashtag makes sense, use it. If it doesn’t — if it’s too common of a word — take it out. Discretion is the better part of hashtags.

Capitalization, lack thereof

Good and bad hashtag capitalization. The first and last hashtags are easily readable. The middle one is a little bit tougher than it needs to be.

The other big way hashtags irritate me is with their lack of capitalization. I’ve included a couple of examples in this post, including at the top and to the right.

I’m not one to complain if someone uses and extremely long hashtag. But those extra-long hashtags need one thing: Each word capitalized. Otherwise, it’s nearly incomprehensible to read.

The problem for me when hashtags are not capitalized is I have trouble immediately comprehending where one word ends and another begins. That’s why it bothers me so much; I can’t read those hashtags.

Your turn: How do you think hashtags should be reformed?

"The Left Hand," my fiction Pinterest story.

‘The Left Hand’

Pinterest is a visual site. That’s the No. 1 thing to keep in mind when you’re creating projects for the site.

As a writer, some of my favorite pieces to write are short stories — mine are usually less than 500 words. And I thought it would be fun to write on with Pinterest in mind.

Enter “The Left Hand.” It’s a visual short story with each paragraph written on a new pin.

Wisconsin Farms & Farmers

Thanks to inspiration from Cabot Cheese, I decided to pin photos of Wisconsin farms and farmers. It’s great to be able to see people who have a hand in producing the food I eat. If you know of any farms or farmers I should pin, please let me know.

Your Turn

I’d love to hear about the creative ways you’re using Pinterest. And I’d also love to hear what you think about “The Left Hand.”

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Meredith_Farmer

Self-doubt can be a helpful tool, but usually it’s a dangerous trap.

That’s why you need to defeat it.

For me, self-doubt can creep in and destroy the best of my intentions. And I know I’m not the only one like this. That’s why you just have to take that self-doubt and tell it to buzz off.

Using my words for 2012

So when I think about my 3 words for 2012, I remember how passion and challenge can help me do just that.

With passion, I can lean on interests and use them to build my confidence to such a level that self-doubt cannot cripple. I will watch self-doubt growing smaller and smaller, until it is just a speck on the horizon.

With challenge, I can take self-doubt head on, watch it cower in fear as I tackle new endeavors and push my personal boundaries. I will watch self-doubt wither in pain after I crush 2012, leaving no room for it to grow.

Go on, defeat it

A tip: Don’t allow room for self-doubt to grow. Do what you love, and give yourself new opportunities to grow. If you do those things, self-doubt will not be able to take hold.

Instead, what you’ll have is confidence, renewed self-assurance and untold happiness. That’s worth it.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Claudia Chez Abreu

From the moment I signed up for a Twitter account, I used the site to chat with other people. But it’s only within the past year that I’ve actively engaged in Twitter chats.

Chats are a great way to meet new people, especially thought leaders in a specific topic, as well as increase your engagement. In addition, they are a great way to learn more about your fields of interest and find best practices for social media and business ventures.

Here are my favorite Twitter chats, in no particular order.

#shehechat

This chat started as a guest blog post by Shelby Sapusek when she had a different viewpoint than Jim Raffel. Now it’s a weekly series of blog posts followed by a chat on Twitter about social media, business and other topics.

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays

#bikeschool

Love to bike? You’ll love this chat about all things cycling. If you come hungry, there’s unlimited tacos. People share how to care for bikes, how to improve your training and how to make the most of your miles, among other things.

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays

#SMOchat

This chat about social media optimization discusses tips and views on how to get the most out of your social media efforts. Best practices, measurement and other social media objectives are bandied about.

When: 2 p.m. Tuesdays

#cmgrchat

Every community needs a good manager to help balance the needs of the brand and the members of its community. Discussions focus on how to build and engage, how to take a break and other things. The position is a new one in many businesses, so its dimensions are still growing and being defined.

When: 1 p.m. Wednesdays

#Foodiechat

If you love food like I do — having a food blog will do that to you — you’ll want to tune in to this chat sometime. A discussion of food with food lovers and bloggers, this chat will help you learn more and get inspired (if you’re a food blogger).

When: x p.m. Thursdays

#toolschat

I love learning about new social tools, and if you’re like me, this chat is for you. Chatters talk about new and old tools, best practices and new ways you can use those tools.

When: 9 p.m. Wednesdays

#Pinchat

Although Pinterest is still a relatively new social site, there’s tons of content on it, and this chat focuses on that and other Pinterest topics.

When: 9 p.m. Fridays

#fitblog

Running, cycling, exercising: They are all the focus of #fitblog, which features participants who have a fitness-related blog and who love to do those and other activities. But you don’t have to have a fitness-related blog to chime in; if you try to live healthfully, come to this chat.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays

#agchat

As I mentioned earlier, I have a food blog, so I read a lot about agriculture even though I’ve never lived on a farm. Thankfully, I can learn more during AgChat, which seeks to “Empower farmers and ranchers to connect communities through social media platforms.”

When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays

Sound off: What are your favorite Twitter chats?

I use the site to follow content from other Milwaukee-area bloggers and from Internet meme producers as well as various other people.

And as I’ve been following more tumblogs, I have realized that it’s difficult to navigate through the ones I want to see when I want to see them. That’s when it became clear to me that Tumblr needs lists.

I would love to catch up on Cheers! Milwaukee, Fuck Yeah Milwaukee or Wisconsin Humane Society without having to sort through updates from blogs published more frequently. And on the other hand, it would be great to get a laugh from meme blogs with one simple click.

Why this problem is not limited to Tumblr

As my friends Shelby Sapusek and Jim Raffel recently debated, social media fatigue will be easier to reach. Because of this, it’s easier for users of social media networks to compartmentalize how they take in those social sites.

Twitter and Facebook lists and Google+ circles are a great example of this. Sometimes you don’t want to see what is in your entire stream; perhaps you’re looking for updates from a specific subset of users.

Every social network should think ahead and ponder how users will be able to divide their contacts on that social site. If there’s no opportunity to do so, think again.

A solution for Tumblr?

Will Tumblr come out with a solution? It’s possible. So far this year Tumblr has announced plans for Fan Mail, a feature that allows Tumblr users to contact one another privately.

That is a feature a lot of users have craved. And it could signal that Tumblr is pursuing other solutions for how users use the service.

I certainly hope so.

Recommendations: Want to follow some meme blogs? Here’s a few of my favorites: Literally Unbelievable, Awkward Stock Photos, Fuck Yeah Cilantro and Dear Photograph.

There’s an interesting reason for that. When I was signing up for an account, the name I wanted (danpolley) was taken. There are other Dan Polleys in the world, and one had that name reserved.

Instead, I signed up as polleydan.

Finding my brand name

That’s an important way — and an unintended one, no less — in how I’ve grown my social presence. That signing up process inadvertently led my to my brand name, polleydan. Now, if you want to find me on any network, just search for polleydan.

The moniker polleydan has become how other people know me and even how I’ve come to think of myself. I frequently say polleydan in everyday life, and my wife refers to me that way, too, although she’s been doing so since before my Twitter name.

Helping others, anytime

One important way I’ve grown my social presence is to help people anytime. Sometimes that’s just by providing encouragement when someone posts a discouraging sentiment. At other times it means help spreading the word about an event, volunteering for an event or providing comfort to those who need it.

It even can be just providing affirmation for someone who seeks it.

Updating frequently

Perhaps the most important thing is the frequency of your presence. It seems straightforward, but I don’t think everyone takes it into consideration. After all, if you’re not on social sites, it’s tough to grow your brand.

That’s one of the reasons this blog’s readership has not grown as much as my other networks: I haven’t updated it in quite some time and haven’t done so with regularity.

If you want to build it, whatever it is, you need to invest time into it.

Exploring new networks

Another pillar of my brand’s presence is exploring new avenues and opportunities to connect through social networks. I signed up for Google+ early on and have enjoyed the tech, photography and other circles I’ve connected with on there. Pinterest has been a great way to explore new things and people.

Other networks that I’ve enjoyed include GetGlue, DailyFeats, SkillShare and Untappd.

Plans for 2012

There is one thing that I want to do less with my brand’s presence. I sometimes post about myself a bit too much, and I’d like to do that less. Instead I want to focus more on growing connections by engaging in conversations and sharing only the personal content that I think others would love.

And in his email newsletter, he challenged readers to do the same. Come up with 3 words, and act on those 3 words in 2012.

Thanks, Chris, for challenging me. Here’s the words I came up with on how I want to live my life in 2012.

My 3 Words

Passion

I love this word. It’s so evocative. What this word means to me is fulfill my passions and seek out new ones. I love blogging, crafting words into coherent posts, and I want to do it more. My blogging on this blog fell off in 2011. For those things I’m passionate about, put all of my effort and energy into making those things great.

But this word also means I need to focus on keeping what I’m passionate about in my life and let go of the things that I’m not passionate about. Weed out what is unnecessary.

Challenge

This word was inspired by a couple of things: One a post I wrote last year about getting out of my comfort zone, and two a pin on Pinterest (right) that reinforces what I wrote in my post.

In my personal and professional lives, I need to challenge myself. Take on tasks I normally would ask for help with. Without challenge, I won’t grow and learn and accomplish new things. A challenge is integral to growth.

Connect

I’ve made a lot of great friendships and met new people through social media. I want to learn more about those people who I’ve met and continue to meet new people, online and offline.

But I also want to reinvest in old friendships and connect on a deeper level with those people. Bonds can break easily if they’re not continually nurtured, and I need to remember that.

What are your 3 words for 2012?

If you’ve been on the social visual bookmarking site, you know how addicting it can be and how varied the ways you can use it. And if you’re new, maybe you just need a gentle push to get your imagination going.

Either way, don’t fret: Here are some tips on ways you can use the site.

1. Harness Your Inner Tumblog.

Smashed White Bean and Avocado Club

If you missed my last post, you missed some of my favorite Pinterest boards. The reason I mention that is because those boards are focused around a single detail, such as Ben Silberman’s Amper-sandwiches board. Take that to heart and curate specific, honed topics on Pinterest, just like some of the best Tumblogs.

2. Satiate Your Taste Buds by Meal Planning.

As a visual-heavy site, Pinterest lends itself well to food. Follow enough food boards and you’ll find that there’s not enough days in the week to cook all the delicious-looking meals. Take those pins you love, write down the ingredients and get to shopping. The meals won’t cook themselves!

3. Design Your Dream Home.

It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment, condo or home. Plan out the visual style of your home based on color schemes, home furnishings and ideal spaces. Covet that dream kitchen or furnished outdoor space? Well, at least you can have it all on one pinboard.

4. Show Your Style.

From hair styles to makeup to clothing, Pinterest can serve as your virtual closet. Use the site to find new looks and change up your seasonal style. Or prepare your wardrobe for your next night on the town.

5. Craft to Your Heart’s Content.

Mason Jar Shelves

Pins about DIY projects abound on Pinterest, so realize that you’ll spend a lot of time saying “Why didn’t I think of that?” It doesn’t matter that you didn’t think of the idea, grab some supplies and get to crafting.

6. Motivate and Be Fitfluential.

There’s a lot of motivation on the site. From athletes to those who want to eat healthier to those who need an extra push in everyday life, motivation is a key component on pinboards. And maybe you’ll be influential in fitness (fitfluential) to someone.

7. Travel Down Memory Lane.

Everyone gets nostalgic. But you don’t have to limit that to just one moment. Instead, create a board filled with everything you loved from your childhood. Maybe it’s He-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or “Charles in Charge.” Whatever the case, use Pinterest to curate a board dedicated to your inner child.

8. Map Out Your Bucket List.

So what if you’ve never gotten around to writing down that list of everything you want to do before you die. Now you can create it visually. The blog Before I Die seems to be especially helpful.

9. Plan for that Family Expansion.

Are you expecting? Or maybe you’re adding a feline or canine friend to your home. Whatever the case, create a pinboard with ideas for how to handle the new family member. Starving for nursery ideas? You won’t be after a little time on the site.

10. Tap into Your Noggin.

Don’t limit yourself. Pinterest is still relatively new, so use that novelty to experiment and see how you can use the site in new ways. As I was writing this post, I had an idea for a new pinboard. I’ll share it as soon as I complete it.

What creative ways have you seen used on Pinterest?

Cabot Cheese's Farmers & Farms Pinterest board

If you have any doubt, let me assure you: 2012 is the year of Pinterest. The social visual bookmarking site has grown exponentially in the past few months — its growth rivals that of Facebook — and I don’t see it stopping.

Some of these boards are unique in their subject while others are not as original in their topics. Yet they offer a genius look about content you can curate on Pinterest.

Amper-sandwiches by Ben Silbermann

Ben is a Pinterest founder, and this board is full of ampersands, one of my favorite punctuation marks. You don’t have to be a grammar snob to love the beauty of the different typography, color and media.

Brands, Businesses & Blogs on Pinterest

This multi-contributor board is straightforward: It contains pins of brands, businesses and blogs Pinterest profiles. There’s a lot of fashion brands, but it’s not just that. This board was how I found about Cabot Cheese, which has a board mentioned below.

My Utah Foodie Community by VintageMixer

This one is of particular interest to me, as one of my other blogs is a food blog. The board curator takes food created by the Utah food blogging community and pins it on this board. This is a great idea to harness local eating campaigns, as followers who are from the area will be able to see what is in season.

Artists on Etsy.com

We can talk about Etsy, sure, but if you haven’t heard of it, you should just check it out. This board is a compilation of amazing art, intriguing handmade objects and stunning photography.

Precious Puppies by Wellness Natural Pet Food

There’s a lot of cute animal boards, and I’m partial to the puppy ones since I have two dogs. This is one of my favorite puppy boards as all of the pins are adorably repin-worthy. I dare you to look into those puppy eyes and not want to follow.

Farmers & Farms by Cabot Cheese

This is my favorite board on this list. Cabot curates this with photos of farms and farmers. It’s unclear whether all of these are farmers who are a part of Cabot, but I assume so. Regardless, it’s a great idea to humanize an integral part of the food system — and the photos are beautiful.

Architecture by Design Milk

If you follow the Design Milk blog, you’ve been privvy to a plethora of amazing architecture and interior design pictures. And if you’ve wanted to see those awesome photos all in once place, you can do so now with this board.

A tweet can be a powerful thing — if the right people are listening.

Such was the case months ago for me after I had an idea for a painting. But a bit of background first.

What is GetGlue?

GetGlue is an entertainment-based social network that allows you to check in to TV shows, movies, books and more. Some entertainment suppliers have teamed up to offer users stickers for certain checkins.

After you unlock 20 stickers, you can have them shipped to you. But only 20 can ship at a time because of postage issues.

I wanted to use those stickers as a medium for a painting. The problem? I didn’t have nearly enough, so I posted on Twitter asking followers if they had any unused ones.

Are you a @GetGlue user? If you have unwanted stickers, I'd love to have them for a project I'm working on.—
Dan Polley (@polleydan) June 20, 2011

Listening and customer service

@polleydan whats the project? —
Alex Iskold (@alexiskold) June 20, 2011

By listening to Twitter mentions, Alex Iskold, GetGlue’s founder and CEO, was able to see my tweet and respond. He responded promptly, listened to what I was trying to do and then assisted in customer service — a unique one in this situation.

As a result, GetGlue send me a few hundred stickers that was I able to use for the painting.

Listening helped firm up customer loyalty and brought on publicity, in the form of this post detailing the conversation. GetGlue didn’t ask me to write this blog post; I did so because it’s a great example of social media listening.

The outcome

So what was the outcome of my request? View the finished painting just below. As a result of my request, I had leftover stickers after finishing this painting. That means another painting is in the works — an added bonus for GetGlue, since I’ll be tweeting about it.