Hashtags: Why and How to Use Them
Do you use hashtags each time you post content? If your answer is no – did you know that by adding even 5 hashtags you could be losing out on reaching over 100 million users? That’s millions of users who could view your content and subsequently follow your account. Best of all, hashtags are a FREE and simple way to reach a large number of social media users who have an interest in your product or service.
You can use hashtags as part of your social marketing strategy for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Each channel has a limit on how many you can use per post but make sure you utilise each one with a relevant search and topic. We added our must-do methods to accelerate your following, increase engagement and reach thousands more users.
1. Topics – Relevance
One of the most important factors when choosing your hashtags is how relevant they are to your content.
If your content promotes women’s clothing, hashtags such as ‘#MensFashionTrends‘ or ‘#BoutiqueHomeware’ are irrelevant and your post will appear in front of an audience who isn’t looking for your content and is unlikely to engage or follow your page. Keep this in mind if you opt to use a hashtag app or website, as they can sometimes encourage you to use hashtags based on what’s trending and how many users you are likely to reach rather than how relevant the hashtags are to your page.
2. Hashtag Bank
Just as it says on the tin – bank your hashtags. Create a inventory of hashtags which you can re-use when you post similar content and refresh these every now and again.
You can do this whichever way suits you best – there are a number of apps which allow you to save your favourite hashtags and then simply copy and paste across to Instagram etc. Our favourites are ‘Smarthash‘ and ‘Tage‘. You will find some of the apps also feature other tools such as content scheduling and insights.
If we stick to the clothing example, you could bank your hashtags like so:
Swimwear
#swimwearbrand #swimwearcollection #swimwearsale #swimweartrends #swimwearbrands #swimwear254 #onlineswimwear #swimweartrend #swimweartrending #swimwearshopping #swimwearshopp #bikinis #bikiniaddict #bikiniforsale #bikinifashion #bikinistore
Bridal
#bridaljewellery #bridalboutique #bridalwear #bridalaccessories #bridalfashion #bridaldress #bridalgown #bridaloutfit #bridaljewelry #bridalblouse #bridalshopping #bridalnecklace #bridaltrends #bridesmaiddresses #bridedress #bridesmaiddress #bridesmaidsdresses
3. Follow Hashtags
Follow any hashtags you regularly use to stay up to date with the competition or give you inspiration on content. Engage with users by commenting on the content or simply share via your story.
Hashtags are not only a great way to reach more users but to engage with existing users and build your follower-brand relationship. This comes in handy if you choose to promote your products or services via influencer marketing.
4. Hashtags in the first comment
To avoid clogging up your feed feed with hashtags under your post, many scheduling platforms give you the ability to add your hashtags as a ‘first comment’ so they won’t be clearly visible via feed.
You can do this via Instagram too by commenting manually once you have posted to your feed.
5. Create your own brand or campaign Hashtag
Are you running a campaign and would like to drive awareness and increase engagement? Maybe you are fundraising or hosting an event and want to get recognised?
Create a unique hashtag that your followers can share or engage with such as ‘#MoochGiveaway’ or ‘#MoochGoesMobile’. Unique hashtags work particularly well when users can interact and receive an incentive such sharing a post using the hashtag to be entered into a competition. It also allows you to revisit the accounts which have hashtagged your unique phrase and engage.
