Making Hashtags Work For You!

Hashtags can be many things. They’re funny, witty, and also ridiculously annoying. Despite how a hashtag makes you feel, there is one thing for certain–hashtags make typical posts clickable and searchable.

Now that hashtags are utilized on many social networks, make sure you’re using them at every turn. Use hashtags to connect with new customers and to make your content searchable. Make sure, before posting, you’re putting your hashtag to work.

Hashtags are not just for annoying teenagers, brands can, and SHOULD, use them to their advantage.

Why use Hashtags?

To….Find New Fans and Customers

Hashtags cluster posts and make them searchable. By hashtagging you make your post searchable amongst other posts with related content. Come up with your own hashtag to apply to all relevant posts, for example if I created #LucillesBakeShop, that would cluster all relevant posts and draw in new, curious fans. It makes your brand a conversation piece.

To…Promote What’s Happening NOW

At a conference? An event? Encourage people to stay connected by using a common hashtag.  It’s a great way to track real time feedback while also giving the participants a shout out. People will be more motivated to participate if they feel they’ll get some love in return. Display what’s trending at a conference and watch the tweets, posts and pics roll in. Not at a big event? No sweat, encourage customers to snap a picture with your hashtag outside of your storefront and feature a participant daily on your social networks. It’s a great way to integrate User Generated content onto your page.

To….Promote Causes

Use hashtags to draw in support for a cause.  Tom’s shoes has a great presence across social platforms and uses #OneforOne to spread their word-racking up nearly 106k posts on Instagram alone. Hashtags can pique interest and spread the word across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Vine. One of the most successful hashtag fundraisers is #beatcancer, which was a partnership between PayPal and SWAGG.com to raise money for cancer charities. PayPal and SWAGG donated $0.05 for every mention to cancer charities.

To….. Measure ROI

When you create a unique hashtag you are creating a channel across the interwebs that is yours and yours alone to measure. Sites like Tweetreach and Hashtracking.com allow you to measure a hashtags reach to make sure you are reaching your goals. Be sure to do your research, so you aren’t picking up a tag that has a history, especially an ugly one.

To….Listen to Your People

Use hashtags to listen to your fans and customers. Create hashtags like a #LucilleBakesWishList #Noto take in special request, answer questions and keep the conversation going.

Basically, hashtags have a purpose, make sure each tag that you’re using is purposeFUL. Think about who you are targeting and what you want from them.

Questions? Hit us up at www.socialincite.com.au

Social Incite Team