Almost anyone familiar with the social web these days is familiar with the term ‘trending topic.’ Wikipedia defines trending topic as:

A trending topic is a word, phrase or topic that is posted (tweeted) multiple times on the social networking and microblogging service Twitter. Trending topics become popular either through a concerted effort by users or because of an event that prompts people to talk about one specific topic.[1] These topics help Twitter and their users to understand what is happening in the world.[2]

Twitter describes the concept behind trending topics on their website.

Twitter’s Trending Topics algorithm identifies topics that are immediately popular, rather than topics that have been popular for a while or on a daily basis, to help people discover the “most breaking” news stories from across the world. We think that trending topics which capture the hottest emerging trends and topics of discussion on Twitter are the most interesting.

An important take-away from that brief paragraph are the terms “algorithm” and “immediately popular.” You see, Twitter uses an undisclosed mathematical formula to scan their corpus of tweets and determine which terms, most specifically, which hashtags, are new to the Twittersphere in a concentrated period of time. Therefore, to get a key term or event or VOTING REMINDER out to over 300 million registered Twitter users, a substantial mass of Twitter users need to begin using the same hashtag heavily for a key time period.

So….what can the fans of one of the hottest up and coming artists in the US do to make sure Josh Krajcik is a trending topic at the time when he needs us most –voting time– let’s explore…

Because the Twitter algorithm is looking for NEW TERMS, we need to introduce something separate from the #VoteJosh, #BeastToWin, #SingBeastSing, #unleashthebeast hashtags so many of us frequently use. This doesn’t mean we need to abandon those important hashtags all together, because they’re an important part of Krajcik fan identity. Rather, we need to adopt a unified hashtag to use only tonight during the key voting period.

We also need to use the new hashtag on EACH and EVERY tweet we post for only the predetermined time frame. Obviously, the hashtag needs to be something Josh related. Associating Josh with The X Factor is also important. When people see the hashtag as a trending topic, we want them to think Josh, then X Factor and finally drive them to where his voting information is located. We also don’t want to miss voting time ourselves, because we all are going to be voting our fingers off for Josh.

So…

JoshKrajcik.us/x/ proposes the following:

Operation: Josh Krajcik Trending Topic

EAST COAST

1. Official hashtag will be #JoshRocksX
2. Use the hashtag on every tweet you post ONLY between the time period of 8:15 PM EST and 9:30 PM EST.
3. Once or twice include the link to the page where Josh’s voting information will be posted later tonight. http://bit.ly/jkrox
4. Stop tweeting and start voting as soon as voting opens up at approximately 9:25 PM EST.
5. Feel great about helping Josh Krajcik become the next X Factor winner!