How to elevate your social media with hashtags
We understand that navigating the world of hashtags can be overwhelming. And with an abundance of information available, it's easy to get lost in the vast sea of hashtag strategies. In this article we'll break down the complexities, demystify the confusion, and provide you with a clear roadmap to harnessing the power of hashtags effectively #winning.
What are hashtags and are they important?
We’re sure you all know this, but just for clarifications sake, hashtags are words or phrases preceded by the '#' symbol that categorise content and make it discoverable to a wider audience online. They have become an integral part of social media culture, allowing users to explore topics of interest and join relevant conversations.
When used effectively, hashtags can help you:
Increase your reach: By incorporating popular and relevant hashtags, your content becomes visible to a larger audience beyond your followers.
Enhance brand recognition: Creating and using unique hashtags can boost brand awareness and make your content more memorable.
Creating brand-specific hashtags
One effective way to build brand recognition is by creating unique hashtags exclusively for your brand or marketing campaigns. A great example is #ShareACoke by Coca-Cola. These branded hashtags can be used across various social media platforms to tie your content together and foster engagement.
When creating branded hashtags there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Make it memorable: Craft a hashtag that resonates with your brand's identity and is easy for your audience to remember and use.
Keep it short and sweet: Lengthy hashtags are prone to typos and are less likely to be adopted by users.
Promote your hashtag: Encourage your audience to use your brand hashtag by including it in your bio, posts, and marketing materials.
Platform specific hashtag strategies
Different social media platforms have unique features and ways of using hashtags.
Facebook: While hashtags are not as widely used on Facebook, you can still include 1-5 relevant hashtags to improve discoverability and engagement.
Instagram: Instagram thrives on hashtags, allowing up to 30 per post. Use a mix of popular, niche, and location-specific hashtags relevant to your content. Also remember to keep them in your caption, along with any relevant keywords to reap the maximum benefits.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn hashtags are great for professional networking and industry-specific content. Include 3-5 relevant hashtags in your LinkedIn posts to increase visibility within targeted communities.
What about using chatGPT for hashtag research?
Using ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for hashtag research BUT it has its limitation. By engaging in a conversation with ChatGPT, you can brainstorm ideas, explore niche hashtags, and receive suggestions tailored to your specific industry or content, just remember to validate the generated hashtags by cross-referencing them with social media platforms and conducting additional research to ensure their relevance.
How does accessibility fit it?
Ensuring your hashtags are accessible to those with disabilities means your content is catering to all social media users. To ensure accessible hashtags be sure to use Pascal or Camel Case.
Pascal Case refers to capitalising the first letter of every word in your hashtag, for example: #MinistryOfWords. Whereas Camel Case is similiar, but you don’t capitalise the first word in your hashtag, for example #ministryOfWords.
Another tip is to only add hashtags at the end of a post caption, not in the middle of a sentence. By following these simple steps screen readers will be able to read the copy correctly.
Hashtag analytics and optimisation
To measure the success of your hashtag strategy, it's essential to track and analyse your performance.
Start by researching popular and relevant hashtags in your industry and experiment with different variations and combinations to find what resonates with your audience. Refine your strategy based on insights gained to maximise engagement and reach a wider audience.
There are also a number of hashtag analysis tools available, one we like to use here at MoW is Flick.
Hashtags are a powerful tool if used correctly. By incorporating effective hashtag strategies into your social media campaigns, you can enhance your brand's visibility, engage with your target audience, and foster meaningful connections.
Always remember to keep your hashtags relevant, concise, and above all things - authentic.
If you're looking for help managing your social media platforms and leveraging hashtags effectively, contact us today.