What Are Hashtags And How You Should Use Them
What Are Hashtags And How You Should Use Them
What is a hashtag?
No one is exactly sure where the hash (now known as hashtag) first came from however, it seems it surfaced around the mid-1960s and appeared on standard American typewriters. Before the days of social media, you may have used the hash option on a telephone after selecting from multiple options or inputting a code.
The use of the hashtag we know today was first proposed in 2007 in a tweet by Chris Messina, to Twitter that they use it to begin grouping topics. Although the idea was initially rejected, in October 2007, the hashtag #SanDiegoFire was used to tweet updates on forest fires spreading through San Diego.
How it works
Otherwise known as a metadata tag, hashtagging is used across social media platforms to make it easier for users to find messages or images with a specific theme. Placing a # infront of a word, or series of words, turns that input into a link; this takes the user to other content added by others who have used the same hashtag.
The rules!
No spaces or punctuation. It will break the link! E.g. #vervegraphicdesignandmarketing
Have a strategy. Who do you want to see your post? Use your hashtag to connect your business to your ideal audience.
Consider the channel. Twitter restricts your character use to 140 so chose 1 or 2 hashtags carefully. Facebook and Instagram are less restrictive but always consider who you want to reach when choosing your hashtags.
Why you should hashtag
- Conversation
Need some opinions on a new product? Want to interact with customers? Create a hashtag and follow the conversation as it evolves between social media users. Interacting with potential customers instills assurance that you are a trusted business and creates a personal relationship.
- Competition
If you were asked to share a hashtag, would you be more likely to do so if there was a chance to win a prize? Of course you would! Hashtagging is a great chance for promotion and also gives you visible results. This is an effective way for small businesses especially to spread the word, for the small price of a discount of a one off giveaway.
- Multi- Channels
What began on Twitter has spread quickly across all major social media networks. What you share on your Facebook Business page, you should share on Twitter, Instagram, and any other platform relevant to your business. Be consistent to increase your reach and impressions.
- #myownhashtag
Start using your business name as a hashtag to create your own ‘library’ of posts. As you build this over time, it can be a great way to see an archive of what you have posted.
- FREE promotion
In an age where it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get something for nothing, take advantage of free marketing and invest a bit of time in honing an ongoing hashtag campaign that can be used across all social media networks.
- Measurables
The wide spread use of the hashtag by individuals and businesses alike has led to the development of tools allowing you to search hashtags across multiple platforms and track their success. Tagboard gives a visual display of how effective a hashtag is whilst Talkwalker is a great one for looking at geographic and gender distribution.
Verve are your full service digital agency with an experienced team able to help you with your website design and development through to your business card print, adwords campaigns and social media promotion.
