How to Properly Use Hashtags to Benefit Your Company

Hashtags, if used properly, can be an effective advertising method. If you don’t know what a hashtag is, that’s okay. To put it simply, it starts with # followed by letters, a word or words, like #winning #summerliving. When used correctly, you can join an ongoing conversation or trending topic. You are also able create an event, campaign or brand awareness.

It’s easy to get caught up while using hashtags and create confusion more than anything else for those who are reading your posts. Keep the hashtag short and concise. If you turn an entire sentence into a hashtag, it becomes sloppy, difficult to read and the chance of someone searching for that exact hashtag becomes very slim. For example a post can go from: “Stay cool this #summer2017 with one of our designer ceiling fans!” to #Staycoolthissummer2017withoneofourdesignerceilingfans. As you can see, the first example is much easier to read and understand. By turning “summer 2017” to “#summer2017” you then join the conversation, giving readers the chance to view your post.

Another important aspect to understanding hashtags is knowing what the hashtag means and if it relates to something specific. The last thing you would want is to use a hashtag as it applies to your post if it has a completely different meaning. This is especially true if the hashtag is associated with a campaign, movement or news event. Instead, create a hashtag or series of hashtags that will create brand awareness and draw attention in a positive way. Creating one that is unique to you and your brand will also help with consistency and brand awareness for your consumers and potential customers.

Have fun with them while making sure they are relevant. If you’re going to a tradeshow and want people to find you, this is a useful method especially if the tradeshow has one associated with it that you can use. You can apply this method to your non-digital advertising efforts as well. Using the same hashtag(s) on flyers, inserts or mailers, allows people to see your hashtag and then search for it when they’re able.

A basic understanding of the social platform you’re posting on is imperative as well. A hashtag on Twitter ties your post into a conversation of other posts from other users with the same hashtag. This allows users to interact with you or retweet what you wrote. If you’re posting on Facebook, you will need to change the settings of the post to “Public” so that your post will show up in the conversation and stream of search results. Similarly with Instagram, if the account is public anyone who does a search will find your post. While posting with Instagram, it will suggest popular hashtags for you to consider using once you type the # symbol.

Hashtags can be a fun, effective branding and advertising method that your team should begin toying with and eventually master. It can be a lot to take on; this is something our team understands. We’re here to help! When you’re ready to talk, contact us!