Maximising Social Media Reach with Hashtags

Hashtags are an effective way of communicating with your customer demographic through targeted messages. Driving your account's interactions, it’s no secret that utilising the “#” can boost your brand's reach and social media presence.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is a hashtag?

A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by a "#" symbol, used on social media platforms to identify messages on a specific topic. Users can search for and click on hashtags to see other messages that have been tagged with the same keyword. They can also use hashtags in their posts to make them more discoverable to others who are interested in the same topic. The use of hashtags helps users to categorise and discover content on social media platforms.

Adding hashtags to your company’s social media marketing campaign is a great way to generate awareness.

The hash symbol - previously known as the pound symbol – was first introduced to the wonderful world of social media in the summer of 2007, by Chris Messina.

Hashtags are now effective on multiple social media platforms, such as Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Hashtags

There is no set of rules when adding hashtags to your content. However, be mindful that it may affect the interactions your post receives.

Limit the amount you use- sometimes more is less when it comes to hashtags. Try to be strategic, as too many can look spammy. Twitter has recommended no more than 2 hashtags per tweet.
Don’t add spaces or punctuation- your content won’t be seen.
Stick to hashtags that are relevant to your content- using irrelevant hashtags won’t help your content to appear to the correct audience.
Make sure your accounts are public- if your accounts are private only your followers will see your content.
Make sure to add hashtags before posting- you can add hashtags after posting. However, your post won’t surface in those feeds.
Use hashtags that are relevant to the content and not too clever- social media users won’t search for obscure hashtags- this won’t benefit your marketing as the content will be less likely to be found.

Why are hashtags important?

Hashtags help to group content and bring together like-minded individuals.

For example, on Instagram, if you’re a heating and plumbing company, using the hashtag “#Plumbing” will help accounts who follow that hashtag see your recent post in their feed.

Using hashtags can help drive online traffic to your account and boost views, likes, comments, and shares.

The secret: identify appropriate hashtags that align with your content and attract users.

Why use hashtags?

Increased visibility: Hashtags make it easier for people to discover your content on social media, which can lead to more engagement and followers.
Increased reach: Using popular hashtags can expose your content to a wider audience, as people who are searching for or following those hashtags will be more likely to see your post.
Increased engagement: Hashtags can make it easier for people to join conversations and connect with others who share their interests, leading to more likes, comments, and shares.
Branding: You can create your own branded hashtags to build awareness and loyalty around your brand.
Campaigns: You can use hashtags to organise and promote campaigns, events, or contests.
Analytics: Hashtags can help you track the performance of your content and understand how your audience is engaging with it.
Cost-effective: Using hashtags is a cost-effective way to promote your brand or content on social media, as it doesn't require a large budget for advertising.
Hashtags help with your online SEO, hashtags are essentially keywords. They add value to your SEO campaigns, by using them on social media, you can drive traffic back to your site. To read more on how keywords are important for SEO click here.

How do I find the best hashtags to use?

In order to discover hashtags tailored to your brand, field, and target audience, research is required.

Monitor and learn from influencers and competitors. Searching for influencers similar to your niche is a helpful way to find trending hashtags relevant to your brand.
Check what’s trending on social media- it may be relevant to your campaign or brand.
Hashtag generator tools.
Start your own hashtag: Starting your own hashtag is a great way to connect with your audience. Whether it’s a tagline, singular word, or catchphrase, select a hashtag that is unique, catchy, and resonates with your target audience.

It's essential to start incorporating hashtags in your social media posts if you haven't already. Despite their popularity dating back to 2007, they remain a valuable asset for your brand today.

If you require a professional to find the best hashtags and manage your entire social media presence or just need further advice, contact us on +44 (0)1202 911141 or email support@seoflatrate.co.uk.

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