HASHTAGS – Essential when using social media, they impact your content’s performance.
It is wise to use hashtags specific to your products and services!
A hashtag – Hashtags are words and numbers following the # symbol that categorise and track content on social media. You can add hashtags to social posts, bios and comments on most major platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Pinterest. They should not include spaces or punctuation.
Why hashtags
The original purpose of a hashtag was to organise a user’s feed and the user experience as a whole. Now it has evolved to amplify a message and even go viral. Brands create communities with their Hashtags and use them to ensure they are tagged in user-generated content.
The hashtag
The first hashtag debuted on Twitter in 2007 by a product designer named Chris Messina.
“I designed the hashtag to thwart any social network from becoming the dominant gatekeeper. Think about it: The hashtag is one of the few superstructures that spans all social media platforms.
Only hashtags allow similarly-interested folks to find each other—whether on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Reddit or elsewhere. It provides a glimpse into what an interoperable, decentralised social web could be like.” — Chris Messina, Inventor of the hashtag.
What are the right hashtags?
Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all approach here. You must consider your products, industry, location, services and customers. Then add in popular, niche and add in your own branded hashtag #businessname
Here are nine different types of Hashtags according to Instagram
Hashtags indicating your product or service, like #sweater or #coffeeshop.
Hashtags indicate your industry niches, like #weddingphotographer or #travelphotographer.
Hashtags for Instagram communities in your industry, like #bakersofinstagram or #foodiesofinstagram.
Hashtags for special events or seasons, like #whiteday or #nationaldonutday.
Hashtags using location, like #pastrynyc, #madeinToronto, or #sydneysweets.
Daily hashtags, like #mondaymotivation, #tuesdaytip, or #wellnesswednesday.
Hashtags with phrases relevant to what you do, like #becreative or #bakerylove.
Hashtags with acronyms, like #qotd (quote of the day) or #ootd (outfit of the day).
Hashtags with emojis, like #shoes👟 or #🌞.
So, does using hashtags impact your reach?
Unequivocally YES!
On a side note 📎
Are you using emojis? 😇
Make sure you don’t go crazy with emojis on every post, but as mentioned above, they can be part of popular hashtags and use them in your description too. 🛍🎒
How you use hashtags can make all the difference.
There continues to be mixed opinions on the ultimate best practice regarding hashtags.
Many businesses use fewer hashtags on each post, and others use as many as they can. I think that somewhere in the middle is probably correct. Try mixing things up and see what outcomes you can achieve for your business.
If you need help with your digital marketing, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kelly @ My Sassy Business. We would love to help you with your social media and ensure you expose your business online to your ideal clients.
