When it comes to hashtags, nearly everyone has strong feelings, both pro and con. Some people use so many hashtags in every post that their messages can hardly be understood as English. Some people completely avoid using hashtags because they find it annoying. The Jimmy Fallons and Justin Timberlakes of the hashtag world laugh about their love-hate relationship with them.
Yet, hashtags can be useful in social media advertising. It’s all about timing and context. Overuse can make you seem like spam. Not utilising them at all, however, means passing up a plethora of promotional chances. Harmony and moderation are the keys. We’ve compiled this list of 23 uses for hashtags to show how flexible and adaptable they can be for online business promotion.
First, if you’re in charge of a conference, spreading the word is much simpler if attendees have a unique hashtag they can use to look for updates and information.
You can also use the conference hashtag in your own posts and tweets to let your audience know that you are in attendance at the conference, which is something that many people find useful.
Hashtags are a great way to organise and keep track of any event
whether you’re hosting or attending, and they’re not just for conferences. Hashtags can be used for everything from concerts to parties, and from massive conventions to smaller seminars.
Hashtags are great for getting the word out during emergencies, whether you’re trying to coordinate massive relief efforts or just want to let the world know that your business is closed because of bad weather.
Want to organise your social media marketing tweets and posts according to topic? 5. Comparable to the Dewey Decimal system, but much less obnoxious, hashtags are a way to organise information.
Here Are 7 Steps to Take To Make The Best Marketing Hashtag
As you can see, hashtags are marketing gold if used correctly. Using the proper hashtag, a business can see a dramatic increase in its online profile within a matter of hours. The #McDStories hashtag was meant to be a positive way for McDonald’s customers to share their experiences, but it was quickly overrun by stories of food poisoning and terrible service, proving the need for careful planning to ensure success.
Due to the double-edged sword that is the hashtag, we have compiled a list of seven guidelines for crafting the ideal hashtag to promote your business.
Make it stand out
A marketing hashtag’s entire purpose is to be memorable and attention-grabbing so that users will want to engage with the campaign by using the hashtag themselves or search for it to see what others are saying. Pick something that everyone knows, but give it your own spin to make it stand out. The name you pick should be memorable and simple to remember.
Don’t use any famous names
Making your brand name a hashtag may seem like a great way to get more people talking about your company, but unless you’re already a household name, it’s probably not the best strategy. Smaller businesses couldn’t get away with it, but Coke and Oreo could. Reaching the most people is best accomplished by using a phrase that will attract attention and interest rather than a hashtag that is obviously self-promotional.
Be specific
Though you want your hashtag to be as inclusive as possible, you don’t want to make it too generic and lose its specificity. If your hashtag is clear, people will be able to think of relevant things to say about it, and they’ll have a good idea of the kinds of posts they’ll find when they search for it.
Don’t lose your mind
Hashtags for marketing purposes are best between one and three words long. If they go on for much longer than that, however, they risk coming off as ridiculous. Keep your hashtag short and simple if you want it to be taken seriously.
Keep in touch with the times
The right hashtag at the right time can do wonders for your brand’s exposure. Do you recall Oreo’s viral tweet about the Super Bowl power outage? To reach more people, it’s a good idea to capitalise on the popularity of already-searched-for terms that are currently trending.
Don’t stop using it
The marketing hashtag you choose should be viewed as merely another promotional tool. To maximise exposure, you should promote it across all of your channels, including your blogs, websites, and even in-store posters. The greater its exposure, the greater its uptake.
Always act in the same manner
Don’t rush your hashtag’s popularity, at least not until it starts picking up negative comments. Stop using it after two weeks if you want to see no results; keep at it and you will. Stick with one hashtag for a while, and then you can add others as you go. This will help avoid confusing your followers. You can make your hashtags work their marketing magic with consistent, regular use.
If you take the time to craft effective hashtags and deploy them in a well-planned campaign, you can turn this lightweight digital marketing strategy into a real winner.