Using hashtags on your social media can make or break your social media strategy. By using them correctly, you will get your posts seen by more people likely to be interested in your product or brand. However, if you use hashtags incorrectly, you can mess up the algorithm and potentially annoy followers. This is why using hashtags correctly is so important for your business. Hashtags can be a great way to build your social media community, and get people to engage with your brand/business. It’s all about figuring out what hashtags work for your business so in this post we will share some tips to using hashtags to help your social media strategy.
1. Include Hashtags on Instagram Stories
This tip is specifically for Instagram. On Instagram, you can share different types of content including sharing stories that disappear after 24hours. Recently, Instagram has allowed hashtags to be included in these stories. This is important because some of your followers may not see your daily post due to the algorithm, but they will most likely see your story. Secondly, hash-tagged pages have an Instagram story icon, and when clicked on you will see a collection of story posts tagged with the hashtag from people with public profiles such as your business profile. This is beneficial because people who may not know about your business have now been exposed to it, all because you chose to use a hashtag in your Instagram Story.
2. Make Sure the Meaning is Accurate
Essentially make sure that the hashtags mean what you think they mean. Since hashtags are often a string of words stuck together, it can create problems when it’s not clear where one word ends and the other begins. For example, Amazon wanted to promote their show called “Top Gear” and the hashtag they used was #amazonshitcarshow. Now, this was done on purpose but it would be very easy to make the mistake of adding a possessive “s” and the word “hit” by accident. Do not be too quick to hop onto a trending hashtag, because that is when mistakes happen. Please make sure you fully understand the context before adding it to your post.
3. Use the Analytics Page
Most social media websites allow you to view analytics when you have a business profile with them. With these analytics, you can see how many impressions you got from hashtags. You can even go further and see which specific hashtags are most effective for reaching new people. Take advantage of these analytics because they really do help you improve your social media strategy.
4. See What Hashtags Your Audience is Using
Think about it, if your audience is already using a certain hashtag, then other people like them are probably using it too. Look at what your top followers are using and start using those same hashtags. On Instagram for example, you can search hashtags and if one has been used by one of your followers it will tell you. This is beneficial because now you know what hashtags reach that specific person. Finding these hashtags is an excellent way to grow your business and reach people who are most likely going to be interested in your business.
5. Create Your Own Brand Hashtag
Sometimes the best hashtag for your business is one that you create yourself. Make sure you use this hashtag on all your content and highlight the hashtag in your page bio that way people know what hashtag to use when posting about your brand. And of course like mentioned earlier, check the analytics to make sure that the hashtag is working and reaching people the way you’d like.
Using hashtags is not difficult but it is important to your business’s social media strategy. It is important to pick the right ones that work for your specific brand or business. Your business’s social media can be successful, but you have to do the work. These hashtag tips and tricks will absolutely help your business reach more people. Our social media experts are happy to help create a list of hashtags suited to your specific niche. Click here to learn more.