Since 2007, hashtags have been a huge part of social media. Hashtags allows users to create to discuss their favorite topics and current events. Whether it’s #FlashbackFriday, #NowPlaying, or you’re #TeamYanny or #TeamLaurel, they have a way of uniquely uniting the online public.
What are Hashtags #?
Hashtags were created by Twitter as a way for social media users to search and categorize their favorite tweets. It took Facebook until 2013 to pick up the wildly growing trend. Facebook and Instagram users are certain to find hashtags used in many posts from both friends and in ads from their favorite companies. On either platform, clicking on a hashtag will aggregate a list of posts so that users can see who else is talking about the same topic.
Hashtags are more than just a new way for social media users to engage with their friends. Businesses have utilized hashtags as a way to market and promote their product or services and create buzz.
Get the Conversation Going
If you’re not using hashtags to promote your business, you should be! Connecting with users is an important step in promoting positive conversations around your content. They are an easy addition to any post that can cultivate meaningful discussions.
To be effective, it’s imperative that you research trending topics in your industry and create hashtags that reflect exactly what you want your target audience to be seeing when they find and click your hashtags.
It’s also important to be deliberate. Know exactly what you want your audience to be seeing when they read or engage with your hashtags, so that you can lead them down the path to your business or topic. Make sure that the hashtag you’re creating doesn’t already exist, so as to not distract from the end goal of getting consumers to you.
Like much of advertising, creativity is key. Don’t just hashtag your business name. Create a hashtag that draws the curiosity of the viewer, whether it’s centered around an upcoming event you’re hosting or an idea or phrase that represents what your business is all about!
Test it Out
Still uncertain on how to engage your prospective customers? Get out there and start clicking! Take a look at how other businesses similar to yours have generated discussions. Also how they are used casually by social media influencers to create buzz around a topic or trend. Find a formula that you think fits your business model and start experimenting!
Social media is a huge piece of any online marketing plan. They are an easy and effective way to make sure your business is generating traffic. Check out our article on 5 Quick Steps you can Take to Launch your Online Marketing, and find out what you can be doing to quickly and efficiently grow your online presence.
