Have you been using hashtags since the last time we shared their benefits? If you have or haven’t, check out, How to Hashtag + 6 Rules for Success for a little refresher! While hashtags may give the impression that they are just for fun, or some type of gimmick, they are actually quite useful for getting your content seen by a much larger audience; in fact, it can get your content seen by thousands rather than hundreds. Hashtags allow you and your business to be part of the discussion wherever you and your products/services are relevant. Here are some additional tips for using hashtags to grow your business!
Tip 1 - Understanding hashtags
First you have to understand hashtags. The algorithms in the various platforms will sort content so that users can find what they are looking for regarding a particular topic. If you want a platform to share your content to a broader audience then you need to add hashtags. I think of it like this, remember when you had to look in a card catalog to find books (maybe you don’t), but basically hashtags are keywords that put your content into the folders that are about the same kinds of topics. So, if you want your content in a lot of folders (mind you, relevant folders), you have to add them. That is where the hashtags come in. The more folders, the more people have access to your content.
Tip 2 - Do your research
Check out your competitions’ twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc... accounts. Find out what hashtags they are using and see what kinds of engagement they are experiencing. As a photographer, I follow a lot of individuals who take photos. I check out what kinds of hashtags they are using in their posts. I see what discussions I can be a part of and try to get my photos out to others who love photography and nature. I search different keywords that I would use to describe my work, like #nature, #camping, #outdoorliving, #coloradomade. Then I can see what kinds of conversations, content, photos are popular and begin to follow and connect with like-minded individuals. Write down the conversations (via hashtags) that your competitors are part of and join in!
Tip 3 - Use these types of hashtags
Niche - #camping blogger, #photoblogger
Location - #coloradobrewers, #denverpubs
Product - #naturephotos #independedentbookstores #specialtyfoods
Special events or holidays: #nationaldonutday #kwanzza
Groups - #photographersonlinkedin #outdoorsmenofinstagram
Daily - #saturdayshoppers #mondaymayhem
According to Hootsuite, the most popular hashtags in March 2020 were:
#love (1.7B posts)
#instagood (1.1B posts)
#photooftheday (763M posts)
#beautiful (639M posts)
#happy (564M posts)
#picoftheday (551M posts)
#photography (537M posts)
#nature (494M posts)
#instagram (439M posts)
#food (376M posts)
Tip 4- Amount of hashtags
You know the old adage, just because you can doesn’t mean you should is definitely something you should keep in mind. For example, you can use up to 30 hashtags in a single Instagram post. Wowza. You should have done your homework and know which folders you want to stick your posts in, a.k.a which conversations you want to be a part of, and let that be that. Anything more than 10 might be overkill.
Tip 5 - Host a contest
Host a contest and use hashtags to get it out to the masses. Use hashtags like #giveaways that have 36.7 million posts. And get it out to your community (#breckinridgephotos), the people who buy (#photographylovers), and in other relevant folders (#earthdaycontest)
Tip 6 - Be philanthropic/Adopt a social issue
If there are philanthropic projects or social issues that are important to who you are as a brand, you should join the social media conversations centered around those topics, for example: #internationalwomensday, #animalrescue, #feedthechildren
Tip 7 - B2B on LinkedIn
Last week, we shared how you can use LinkedIn to grow your brand. You can use hashtags there as well to get your content seen on the platform. As with everything on LinkedIn, content and hashtags should steer towards the more formal and professional. Again, make sure that the number of hashtags you use is reasonable because if you use too many, the algorithm on LinkedIn may classify your post as spam. There is an industry-niche specific hashtag out there for every type, so try to find the one that best fits your business and become part of the conversation. Also add a few location specific hashtags #denversecurity, and some events related ones as well #smallbusinesssaturday!
Tip 8 - Partner up
Just like with anything else, two is better than one. If you can link your content to another business whose services or products complement your’s then by all means join forces. Share hashtags that connect your followers with your partner, and they can return the favor!
If social media is a part of your marketing strategy, then hashtags must become part of it as well. The good news is you really can’t go wrong unless you link your content to something really unprofessional, dangerous, or illegal. Those are pretty easy to avoid. So, give it a go. See how many new followers you gain in each platform in a week’s time. If you see little progress, then change things up for your next post and continue to observe how the businesses you follow are using hashtags!