Hashtags: Boosting Your Social Media Visibility

Are you having trouble getting noticed on social media? You’re not alone. Many small and medium-sized businesses find it hard to reach their audience online and that’s where hashtags come in. These little tools can really help your posts get seen.

Let’s talk about what hashtags are and how you can use them effectively to make your social media better. By using these social media tags smartly, you can connect with more people who are interested in what you do.

Key Takeaways

• Hashtags increase post visibility by up to 70% on platforms like Instagram.
• Use a mix of branded, industry-specific, and trending hashtags.
• Tailor your hashtag strategy to each social media platform.
• Monitor hashtag performance regularly and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Avoid common mistakes like overusing it or using irrelevant ones.
• Leverage hashtags for campaigns, customer service, and business growth.

What is a Hashtag?

A hashtag is a word or phrase with a # in front of it. It’s used to group posts on social media. Social media tags like hashtags help users find posts about topics that they like. They’re like signposts that guide people to contents they are interested in.

Hashtags started on Twitter in 2007 but now they’re used on most social media sites. They help in organising posts to make them easier to find. Over time, these social media tags have become important for starting movements, running brand campaigns, and getting people talking about things worldwide.

The Power of Hashtags in Digital Marketing

Hashtags aren’t just trendy additions to your posts. They’re powerful tools that can really help your digital marketing. Here’s why: When used well, they can expand your content’s reach and can attract users that are interested in specific topics, which could turn them into followers or customers.

Increased Visibility

70% more likes on Instagram posts with relevant tags

Targeted Reach

Connect with users seeking specific content

Brand Awareness

Boost recognition with branded tags

Community Building

Foster engagement and user-generated content

1. Increased Visibility: Posts with relevant tags get more likes and comments. On Instagram, posts with at least one hashtag get 70% more likes than posts without. This means more people can see and interact with your content.
2. Targeted Reach: By using industry-specific tags, you can reach people who are looking for content like yours. It’s like having a direct line to people who might be interested in what you do.
3. Brand Awareness: Creating and using your own branded tags can help more people recognize your business. These unique identifiers become linked with your brand, helping you to create a unique identity online.
4. Community Building: Hashtags can help you connect with your audience and encourage them to create content about your brand. This builds a community around your business, which can lead to more loyal customers.

How to Use Hashtags in Social Media Marketing

Now that we know why they are important, let’s go look at how to use hashtags in social media marketing effectively:

1. Research Relevant Hashtags

Start by looking for terms and tags that relate to your business, products, or services. Check what your competitors and industry leaders are using. Tools like Hashtagify or RiteTag can help you find popular and relevant tags in your field. Keep a list of good options for your brand, sorted by how relevant they are, how popular they are, and which campaigns or products they are for.

2. Create a Mix of Hashtag Types

Use different kinds of hashtags to reach more people:

• Branded Tags: These are unique to your business (e.g., #SeekSocialTips). They should be short and easy to remember.
• Industry-Specific Tags: These relate to your field (e.g., #DigitalMarketing). They help you join bigger conversations in your industry.
• Trending Topics: These are popular topics or events (e.g., #SmallBusinessWeek). Use these carefully and only when they really fit with what you’re posting.
• Location-Based Tags: These target specific areas (e.g., #DerbyBusiness). They’re great for local businesses or events.

3. Tailor Your Hashtag Strategy to Each Platform

Different social media sites have different rules for using hashtags:

Hashtags: What They Are and How To Use Them Effectively

• Hashtags are keywords preceded by # that categorize social media content
• They increase post visibility and help users find relevant content
• Optimal hashtag usage varies by platform:
  • Instagram: 3-5 tags per post
  • Twitter: 1-2 per tweet
  • LinkedIn: 3-5 professional tags
  • Facebook: 1-2 per post
  • TikTok: 3-5 trending tags
• Use a mix of popular and niche-specific terms
• Research trending and industry-relevant topics
• Create unique branded tags for campaigns
• Monitor hashtag performance using analytics tools
• Avoid overusing tags, which can appear spammy
• Place hashtags naturally, typically at the end of posts
• Regularly update your hashtag strategy based on performance

– Instagram: Use 3-5 relevant tags per post. Instagram allows up to 30, but using too many tags can make your post look messy. Choose a mix of broad and specific terms to reach the right people.

– Twitter: Use 1-2 tags per tweet. Twitter has a character limit, so you need to be picky. Choose the most impactful terms that match your tweet’s content.

– LinkedIn: Include 3-5 professional tags in your posts. LinkedIn is for professional content, so use hashtags related to industries and skills. Avoid casual or trendy tags here.

– Facebook: Keep it minimal with 1-2 per post. Facebook users don’t use hashtags as much, so focus on the most relevant ones. Use them for specific campaigns or events.

– TikTok: Use 3-5 trending tags in your video descriptions. TikTok relies heavily on tags for people to find content, so use a mix of trending and specific tags to get more views.

4. Monitor and Analyze Hashtag Performance

Regularly check how well your hashtags are doing using the platform’s analytics or other tools. This helps you understand which tags are getting people to engage with your content and reaching your target audience. Look at things like reach, impressions, and engagement rate. Use this information to improve your hashtag strategy over time, using more of what works and less of what doesn’t.

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

While hashtags can be really helpful, it’s important to use them correctly. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

Overusing hashtags

Using irrelevant hashtags

Creating overly long hashtags

Neglecting to research

1. Overusing hashtags: Using too many tags can make your posts look spammy and turn people off. Stick to the recommended number for each platform and focus on quality over quantity. Each hashtag should add value to your post and help it reach the right people.
2. Using irrelevant hashtags: Only use tags that really relate to your content and business. Using popular but unrelated tags might get you some quick views, but it can make people lose trust in you and annoy users who were expecting different content. Always choose relevance over popularity.
3. Creating overly long or complicated hashtags: Keep your tags short, simple, and easy to remember. Long, complex tags are harder to read and less likely to be used by others. Try to make your tags no more than 2-3 words long, and make sure they’re easy to understand at a glance.
4. Neglecting to research: Always check what a hashtag means and how it’s being used before you use it to avoid potential problems. Some tags might have multiple meanings or could be linked to sensitive topics. A quick search can save you from accidentally associating your brand with something you didn’t intend.

Leveraging Hashtags for Business Growth

When used smartly, these social media tags can really help your business grow. Here’s how you can use them:

1. Run Hashtag Campaigns

Create special tags for specific marketing campaigns or events. This can help create excitement, encourage people to participate, and make it easy to track how well your campaign is doing. For example, you could make a hashtag for a new product launch, a social media contest, or a yearly event. Encourage your followers to use the hashtag when they share related content, and think about offering rewards for participation.

2. Engage with Trending Hashtags

Join conversations around trending tags that relate to your business. This can help more people see your brand and show that you’re up-to-date with current topics. But be careful and make sure that what you’re adding to the conversation is valuable. Don’t force your brand into unrelated trends, as this can make you look like you’re just trying to get attention.

3. Use Hashtags for Customer Service

Create a special hashtag for customer questions or feedback. This can help organize your customer service efforts and show that you care about customer needs. For instance, you could use a hashtag like #AskSeekSocial for customer questions. This not only makes it easier for customers to reach out but also lets you show off your great customer service publicly.

The Future of Hashtags in Digital Marketing

As social media keeps changing, so does the way we use tagging strategies. Here are some trends to watch:

1. AI-powered hashtag suggestions: Platforms will likely offer smarter, AI-driven hashtag suggestions to help users make their content better. These suggestions will probably be based on what’s in your post, who your audience is, and what’s trending right now, making it easier to choose the most effective tags for each post.
2. More connection with online shopping: Hashtags might play a bigger role in buying things through social media, helping users find and buy products directly on these platforms. We might see “shoppable” tags that link straight to product pages or let you buy things without leaving the app.
3. Better analysis tools: We can expect to get more detailed information about how well hashtags are working, helping businesses improve their strategies even more. This could include data on how well specific terms can help grow followers, increase engagement, and even boost sales for online stores.

Conclusion

Hashtags are simple but powerful tools that can really boost your presence and engagement on social media. By understanding what a hashtag is and how to use them well, you can get more people to see your content, reach the right audience, and grow your business on social media. Remember, the key to success with hashtags is to use them strategically, consistently, and in line with your overall marketing goals.

At Seek Social, we’re experts at creating custom social media strategies that use hashtags and other digital marketing tools effectively. Our team can help you navigate the always-changing world of social media, making sure your business stays ahead. We know that every business is different, and we work closely with our clients to develop hashtag strategies that fit their brand voice, target audience, and business goals.

Ready to make your social media presence stronger? Don’t leave your digital marketing to chance. Let the experts at Seek Social help you create a winning hashtag strategy that gets real results for your business. Contact us today and let’s get your social media working harder for you! With our know-how and your unique brand, we can create a social media presence that not only gets you seen more but also gets people engaging, builds a community, and ultimately helps your business grow.