#HeckYes. They are an easy tool to improve post performance. Read our top tips.
#HeckYes. Hashtags are an incredibly easy tool to utilise across your social media channels and improve overall post performance.
Hashtags can be a little confusing, especially if you’ve never played around with them before, so we’ve broken down exactly what they are, why you should be using them, and how to get started.
What are hashtags?
Hashtags are the words and numbers following the # symbol that you see in the captions of social media posts. They categorise and group together similar content to help people find the posts that matter to them. Once you publish a hashtag, it becomes a clickable, searchable link.
Hashtags can be used across all social media platforms, but work particularly well on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Why should I use them?
#GetDiscovered
Using hashtags can increase the visibility of your posts, making them more discoverable to potential followers. In turn, this can help increase post likes, comments and shares, boosting your overall online presence.
#ReachtheRightPeople
Hashtags can help you target specific audiences and connect with people who are directly interested in the products or services you offer. You can build a following of people who you know are interested in your business. A great example is a fitness equipment store using the hashtags #fitspo or #workoutideas to reach people who are interested in fitness and exercise.
#BuildBrandIdentity
Hashtags can help enhance brand awareness and recognition. By using a consistent set of hashtags across your social channels, you can create a cohesive online presence that reinforces your brand identity.
How can I use them for my business?
#Trending
To start, you can use popular and trending hashtags to increase the discoverability of your social media posts. Remember to use hashtags related to your post’s content, by doing this you’re making your content more visible to users who are searching for or following those hashtags. The next time you’re writing the caption for a post, start typing the # key followed by a keyword related to your post, and voila, you’ll see a list of potential hashtags to use!
#YourBusinessNameHere
You can create your own branded hashtags to promote brand awareness and encourage user-generated content. By creating a unique hashtag that reflects your brand identity and product or service, you can encourage followers to share their experiences with your business using the hashtag. This can help increase engagement and build a sense of community on your social channels.
We love Air New Zealand’s branded #AirNZShareMe to encourage customers to share their AirNZ travels and experiences.
#JointheConversation
You can also use hashtags to join conversations and trends relevant to your industry or niche. By keeping up with industry news and trends, you can identify a range of relevant hashtags around those topics. This can position you as an expert in your field and help you build relationships with other businesses.
Our #TopTips
- Use 3-5 hashtags per post.
- Keep ‘em short, the easier to read the better.
- Make sure your hashtags are relevant to your content, don’t throw a random hashtag in there just because it’s trending.
- Hashtags aren’t just for feed posts - add them to your Instagram bio and stories too!
- Use location-based hashtags if your business has a physical location - this works particularly well when promoting a local business.
Now that you’re hashtag savvy, you can use these wee symbols to join conversations, build brand awareness and increase engagement. What are you waiting for? Get posting!
Need a helping hand with your socials? We’re always happy to help, so flick us an email studio@psdigtal.co.nz at any time and we’ll get back to you!
