Several weeks ago at Social Media Club Columbia, SC, Dan Conover (@xarker) spoke about the potential for standardized Twitter hashtags for cities.

For example,  Charlotte and Charleston have been trying to adopt localized hashtags for news, traffic, etc.  For more on this, read this post.  Thanks to search lists, Charleston natives can simply add “#chs” to their tweets to be seen by other .  Here’s a wonderful example of it’s usefulness:

Obviously, one hashtag for an entire cities worth of tweeting can get crowded.  That’s why the proposed plan adds includes tags for traffic, news, breaking stories, weather, the election, etc.  Genius.

Well, I’m ready to do the same in Columbia.  We have lots of people who use Twitter on a day-to-day basis, and our local news stations are getting into the game.  I keep up with weather updates and breaking news throughout the day by following the Twitter accounts of local papers and TV stations.  If we had standardized hashtags, it would be much, much easier.

So here’s my plan.  I’ve tweeted with a few local Columbia people and I’ve decided to try and start something.  Thanks for your help @cophotog, @mandiengram, @hollybounds!  The “base hash” for this is #cae.  This is the airport code for Columbia - just like Charlotte uses #clt and Charleston uses #chs.

• #cae - A bit long, but #csc and #cola are already taken.  Add this if you need the quick attention of other locals.
• #caenews - Pretty self explanatory - used for local news.
• #caebrk - Breaking news.  Again, it’s longer but…oh well.  :)
• #caewthr - Weather updates and alerts.
• #caetrfk - Columbia traffic updates.
• #caefood - Local food tweets.
• #caetech - Blogs, social sites, web contest, etc from Columbia.

Got any suggestions, additions, or proposed revisions?  Leave me a comment below.

Now here’s the important part.  I’m one person.  I can’t do this alone.  For this to catch on, I’m going to need lots of help.  It’s going to take getting used to, but I think if it ever does take off it could serve very useful.  Think about it - a live list of tweets to keep you constantly informed on traffic problems, breaking news, local food deals, and weather alerts.  All for free.

Let’s face it - this is long overdue.  People want news, and they want it right now wherever they are, right when it happens.  The great thing is that it’s a collaborative effort.  Everyone in Columbia (or Charlotte, or Charleston, or wherever you introduce these standardized hashtags) can contribute to a constantly updated stream of news and traffic updates.

Often, businesses and organizations are such a nuissance on Twitter.  Let’s face it - we all get spammed by followers who only wish to promote their own business, sending out only formal updates with their advertisements.  Every now and then, however, a business gets it right.    Enter Hungry Howies Pizza in Irmo, SC.

HowiesIrmo is a pizza place - an unlikely type of business to get involved in social networking.  However, if you’re a Columbia Twitter user (especially one active in link-sharing and everyday discussion on the site), chances are you’re familiar with Howies - you would probably even recognize the bright yellow logo.  What’s different about this, compared to other businesses on Twitter, many of whose logo’s you may be familiar with?  Howies is personal.

Howies engages in everyday discussion.  They participate in Follow Friday,  they help out my blog, they help me think of crazy Halloween costumes, and they help spread the word about Joupes.  In short, Howies uses Twitter for casual conversation - having 2-sided conversations and creating a quirky and fun personality that’s always fun to interact with.  And at the end of the day, their business is still advertised.  I’ve been out to Irmo for some Hungry Howies pizza and cinnamon bread - have you?

To all the businesses out there - study HowiesIrmo.  Be more personal, easily able to chat about things that aren’t your product.  Have fun with other users.  To all the South Carolina people - head out to Irmo.  Tell them you’re there because of Twitter.  Enjoy the pizza.  I know I will as soon as I can find another date to go (and some time that I’m not studying!).

For those who haven’t noticed, Twitter recently added explanations to the “Trending Topics” results.  Wondering what “New Moon Soundtrack” is and why it’s a trending topic?  Twitter explains:

The soundtrack for the Twilight sequel, New Moon, will be released this Friday (Oct. 16, 2009). It is already available to listen to in full on MySpace.

Take a look at some of these Twitter explanations.  In my opinion, this would be a pretty neat feature to someone who tends to keep up with the latest trending topics.  However, I can’t remember the last time I’ve cared to look at them apart from the occasional Google mention.