Hashtags have become so important in our online social culture that more people know “#” as a hashtag than its original name, the pound sign. They’ve been incorporated into just about every social media platform there is, giving users a way to categorize content and discover new content in an easy, efficient way. While the hashtag has become a household name, many people do not know how to properly utilize it. Here are some best practices to help you and your business use and understand what the hashtag has to offer:
- A hashtag is simply a key word or phrase typed out without spaces in between each word, leading with the “hashtag” or pound sign (#). The purpose of incorporating a hashtag into your post is to tie similar conversations together into one single stream. For example, if you post a tweet about a movie you’ve seen recently, and hashtag the name of the movie, a click on that hashtag will take you to a live feed of other people who are posting about the same movie. This tool can be very useful to your business if used properly, as you can quickly target a specific audience through using the appropriate hashtags.
- With your audience in mind, it is important that your hashtags are specific to the content you post, or the service or product you are trying to sell. Focus on using keywords that target all, or part of your demographic. Research popular hashtags that would encompass your demographic while remaining on topic with your goods or services, and be sure to use them in your posts.
- While hashtags have the same function on all social platforms, they must be catered to in different ways, meaning a hashtag you use on Twitter will have a different driving purpose than one used on Instagram. Social platforms that are photo and video based will use hashtags that have a focus on description of the content within the media displayed. On Twitter, a hashtag is more likely to be aimed towards a topic of conversation, such as a current event or concern.
- Avoid hashtags that are so “unique” that they are unsearchable. Hashtags should make it easier for people to find your page and engage with it. Use straightforward, applicable hashtags that your desired audience is guaranteed to search for.
- Finally, use capital letters at the start of each word in a long hashtag so the user can easily read your content. For example, best practices suggest that you use #HashtagsAreFun as opposed to #hashtagsarefun.
Need help with social media strategies involving hashtags and beyond? Contact the digital communication experts at Reach Beyond Marketing today!