Hashtag Basics
In today's digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives. Whether it is to stay in touch with friends and family or to promote a business, social media platforms are an essential tool. One of the most popular features of social media platforms is the hashtag. In this blog, we will explore the basics of hashtags, their importance, and how they can be used to increase visibility and brand alignment.
First, let's define what a hashtag is. A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the "#" symbol. It is used on social media platforms to categorize content and make it easier to find. When someone clicks on a hashtag where they are taken to a page that displays all the posts that contain that particular hashtag. Hashtags were first introduced on Twitter in 2007 and have since been adopted by other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
One of the primary benefits of using hashtags is increased visibility. By using relevant hashtags, you can make your posts more discoverable to people who are interested in the topic you are posting about. In some cases social media platforms allow users to follow hashtags because hashtags are how the categories are sorted.
For example, if you are posting about a new product, using hashtags like #newproduct, #productlaunch, or #comingsoon can help potential customers find your post. Or even better customers could follow these hashtags, #photooftheday #quoteoftheday #style #followme #repost #cute
Using Hashtags Effectively requires some knowledge of how they work and how to use them correctly. Here are some tips on how to use hashtags effectively:
Choose the right hashtags: Using relevant hashtags will help your content reach the right audience. Do some research on the most popular hashtags in your niche, and use them in your posts.
Keep it simple: Use easy-to-understand hashtags that are short and concise. Avoid using long and complicated phrases that can be confusing.
Use trending hashtags: Using trending hashtags can help your posts reach a larger audience. Stay up to date with current events and trends, and use relevant hashtags in your posts.
Be specific: Using specific hashtags can help your content reach a more targeted audience. For example, if you're promoting a new vegan cookbook, use hashtags like #veganrecipes or #plantbasedcooking.
Hashtags are also an excellent way to join conversations and engage with people who share similar interests. For instance, if you are passionate about fitness and wellness, using hashtags like #fitnessmotivation, #healthylifestyle, or #fitfam can help you connect with other like-minded individuals.
Another benefit of hashtags is brand alignment. By using branded hashtags, you can create a sense of community around your brand and encourage your followers to engage with your content. Branded hashtags are unique to your brand and can be used for events, campaigns, or general brand promotion. For example, Nike's #justdoit hashtag has become synonymous with the brand's message of motivation and pushing yourself to achieve your goals.
When using hashtags, it's essential to consider their relevance to your content and by creating the perfect hashtag recipe or mixture to use on certain posts you can ensure visibility.
Many other social gurus right now are stating that using irrelevant hashtags can do more harm than good and can make your posts appear spammy or unprofessional.
I do not feel this is true in any way, if you want to be visible to your ideal client or peeps then you need to show up exactly where they are. I do agree that there are
ways to go about it and providing the right recipe of hashtags will help you stay on point and not appear spammy. It's also essential to choose hashtags that are popular enough to generate engagement but not so popular that your post gets lost in the crowd.
Researching and analyzing popular hashtags in your industry can help you identify which ones to use. You can use social media analytics tools to track
the performance of your hashtags and adjust your strategy accordingly.
It's also crucial to use hashtags strategically across different social media
platforms. For example, on Instagram, you can use up to 30 hashtags per post, while on Twitter, it's recommended to use no more than two or three hashtags per tweet. Being aware of the basics is key to utilizing the built-in tools the social media platforms are providing us to maximize our visibility.
Hashtags can be used in various ways to achieve different objectives. Here are some of the most common ways to use hashtags:
Campaign Hashtags: These are hashtags used to promote a specific campaign or event. For example, #BlackFriday or #CyberMonday are campaign hashtags used by retailers to promote their sales during the holiday season.
Event Hashtags: These are hashtags used to promote or follow events. For instance, #SXSW is an event hashtag used to track the South by Southwest festival.
Trending Hashtags: These are hashtags that are currently popular and being used by many people. By using a trending hashtag, you can increase your visibility and potentially reach a new audience.
Branded Hashtags: These are hashtags unique to your brand and used for general brand promotion. Branded hashtags can be used across all social media platforms to create a sense of community around your brand.
In conclusion, hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing visibility and brand alignment on social media platforms. By using these hashtag basics, you'll be on your way to social media success.
What to learn more and take actionable steps to develop your own hashtags list? The waiting list for the April HASHTAG WORKSHOP has opened up.
