For some, the idea of a hashtag may seem confusing, or even downright silly.
What does it mean when there is a pound sign in front of a word? How will adding hashtags to my social media posts help people notice my business? As a business owner, these are most likely the questions you ask your marketing team on a regular basis.
We’ve got you covered. Read on to get a better idea of what hashtags mean, how to use them properly, and how trending hashtags can help you get noticed.
What is a hashtag?
A hashtag is simply an easy way to organize conversations around a specific word or phrase. When you add the pound sign (#) in front of a word or phrase on a social media platform like Twitter or Instagram, you are categorizing your post or photo with that word. If someone clicks on that hashtag, he or she will be directed to additional posts on that social platform involving that topic. For example, if you hashtag “#love” on your post, you are categorizing it as one about love, and making it easier for those looking for posts about love to find yours.
How to use Hashtags
Using hashtags can be a little tricky at first. You want to make sure that you are using only the most relevant words or phrases and that you are not overdoing it by overloading your post with hashtags, which will lead to confusion about the true purpose of your post. Especially on social platforms like Twitter where you are limited to 140 characters, make sure your hashtags count and pick out the most important words or phrases that will help others find your post. The idea is to use hashtags that a potential client or customer may be looking up when searching for a business or topic where you provide expertise.
Using Hashtag Trending Topics
Not all hashtags are created equally. Each network has “trending” hashtags, which basically means that those are the topics that are most popular at the moment. Certain websites such as
www.top-hashtags.com can give you an idea of the most popular topics people are interacting with on different networks. Twitter also includes the trending hashtags on the bottom left of your Twitter newsfeed. If your business or product pertains to one of the trending words, it may be a good time to join the conversation on that social platform and include a post about what you do using the trending hashtag. This will help you get noticed and stand out to those who are talking about and looking for posts containing that popular topic.
It is important to note that the trending hashtags may change daily depending on current events, especially on Twitter where there is a lot of chatter happening quickly.
Using Hashtags for Branding and Events
Hashtags aren’t just for trending topics; they’re awesome for tracking and branding. How? Consider creating a hashtag that’s unique to your business or event. For example, you may want to run a contest with a specific hashtag so you can track entries. If you’re hosting an event (online or in-person) you can create a unique hasthag to allow people who otherwise aren’t connected to join in on the conversation.
Furthermore, hashtags are an effective way to let users search a specific product that you offer. If you’re a retail boutique, you can let people search your merchandise by using hashtags. For instance, if your store is called ABC Boutique, you might use #ABCHandbags, #ABCWallets, #ABCDresses, etc. to help people shop specific types of items you carry.
If you want to join the conversation and offer your expertise or business as a solution to a discussion, it’s best to stay on top of your social media accounts through marketing efforts.
Contact us at Miss Ink for more information on how to get your brand and business noticed on social media.
