Hashtags play a vital role in
social media marketing; they ensure that your content is discoverable and allow you to find other people’s content. Those clustered words preceded by a
# sign are (I.e
#WorldCup2018) used to intertwine various social media posts together and relate them to a topic. By clicking on a hashtag in a social media post, you have access to a feed of curated messages that have the same hashtag incorporated with them. Hashtags were originally created on Twitter but today they are used on many other social media platforms. Hashtags can be very resourceful for your social media strategy but if used wrongly the reverse may be the case. So, what are the best ways to use the hashtag?
Keep It Short, Simple, And Relevant
Research has shown that using too many hashtags in a post can be a turnoff. Too many hashtags in one post appear ‘spammy’ and look like you’re trying too hard. Instead, you should make use of not more than one (being more advisable) or two hashtags in your post. Moreover, avoid using hashtags in every post that you make and only use them when deemed necessary. Once you can execute this effectively, potential customers will take your brand more seriously and this could earn you a higher subscriber base.
Take Advantage Of Trendy Hashtags
Trending hashtags are hashtag topics that have gone viral. Take note of trending hashtags that relate to your business and use them to catch the attention of a much larger audience than just your fans and followers. Also, hashtags that have some value to add to your brand would be more resourceful than just some vague trending hashtags. Before you use any hashtag, are sure it has something to contribute to your already existing conversation. If it has no value to offer, then it’s likely to be ignored. As long as the post is informative, brand awareness is likely to increase.
Research The Hashtag Before You Use It
Before you use any hashtag, search all social networks to ensure that it is being used for
the right reasons and not inappropriately. Ensure that the message behind the hashtag is clear and easy to understand by your audience. It is always essential to find out if people are using the hashtag and what they are saying about it. Tweeting on inappropriate topics may end up smearing your brand.
Be strategic
Think about it, some of the hashtags you may want to use may already be overcrowded and on the other hand, others may be more specific and not so crowded. Hence it is essential to ensure balance. This means that you can mix content hashtags with a high volume of users, with others that are more specific. For instance, if you’re the owner of a footwear brand
Like it or not, hashtags now have a place on social media. A high percentage of social media users use hashtags in their daily online conversations and looking from the grand scheme of things, you wouldn’t want to be the exception.
