The #HurdleWithHashtags
Thanks for checking out the Voxy Blog! We believe every brand has a unique voice, and that voice should be heard. By using strategic messaging and the right medium for your message, we’re here to help you beHeard. Here, our first blog centers on the #1 topic every client asks us about: #Hashtags.
Most people know the basics about hashtags; they see their friends and colleagues use them on social media and are inundated by them in the shows they watch on television. Here at Voxy, we’re frequently asked, “How do I know which hashtags to use?” Selecting what hashtag (or “tag,” as we will call it) to use seems to be the REAL hurdle with #hashtags.
To decide which hashtag to use, remind yourself that hashtags are used by social media content creators to share ideas and news on a specific topic. They’re used to make a social media status or post searchable either by using a specific existing keyword, or a string of multiple words to create specific keywords. In the information age, hashtags are used to bring conversations on the same topic into a single thread to make it convenient for information consumers to view and compare ideas in real time. As people are searching for that topic, your hashtagged content will show up in that search. BAM! Your message is seen. Hashtags can be used to promote events; to promote or “shoutout” to another person or business; or even add humor……posts.
When posting, ask yourself, “Who would want to see this post or picture?” If it’s a picture of a mountain, using a tag like #nature or #picoftheday could bring groups of individuals, who may find that scene interesting, quickly to your photo. A quick and easy way to see what hashtags are being used (the terminology for this is “trending”) for a specific news item or topic, check Hashtags.org. A quick search through Search.Twitter.com will lead you to a list of hashtags that have already been used in the past or are currently active. You can then choose an existing tag, or create one that better communicates your topic. We recommend finding (“establishing”) just a few keywords that can be used interchangeably to communicate your brand. That way you “own” a hashtag, and make it simple for people to “follow” your brand.
For a hashtag to be successful, it has to have the following elements:
- Catchy
- Short and concise
- Clear
- Relatable
While hashtag trends change hourly, there are some staples that you can sprinkle into relevant posts for added momentum or to get your post seen by more people. Since there are millions of different tags, this is simply a starting place for hashtag rookies. We would love to hear your additions!
In case you’re ever stuck with writer’s block, here are some hashtags for specific days of the week.
Monday
- #MotivationalMonday – Used for motivational tips/pictures and memes.
- #MondayBlogs – on Twitter only. Used to tag blogs released on Mondays.
Tuesday
- #TuesdayTrivia – Facts and trivia contests.
Wednesday
- #WednesdayWisdom – Tips or words of advice.
Thursday
- #ThrowbackThursday or #throwback or #tbt – Pictures of you or your company from years ago.
Friday
- #FF or #FollowFriday – This Twitter trend is designed to give a shout out to your friends, vendors and colleagues you recommend others follow on Twitter. It also happens to be a perfect way to increase the reach of your posts and get your message in front of new audiences.
We’d be remiss to send you off with a fresh list of hashtags without giving you basic guidelines to follow when using hashtags. Check this list of tips for hashtag usage.
#Hashtag Guides to Live By:
- Be selective. Every word in your tweet or status update should not be a #hashtag. A good rule of thumb is 2-3 per post on Twitter or Facebook. Instagram users often replace captions all together and load up on multiple tags. So while a Twitter picture tag might read: “Check out this awesome #nature shot.” The exact same photo on Instagram might read: “#picoftheday #nature #outdoors #photo”
- Be relevant. Proper keyword usage is important. For example, look at the following sentences: “You should hire Voxy Media Group. They are social media pros and could really help your brand.” Proper tag usage would be: “Hire #VoxyMediaGroup. They’re #socialmedia pros and will help your #brand.”
- Multiple words together. Multiple words in a tag should run together. Example #NewYearsEve or #SocialMedia.
- Don’t force a tag. Especially when you are establishing a new tag for branding purposes, you will be tempted to add that specific tag to every post you send. Remember a tag’s purpose is to point to relevant content.
- Personality. Even on a business page or post, personality is what keeps people interested. Feel free to use hashtags to let some of your humor slip into your social media. Example: #tweetsIwishwerejokes
We hope you found this entry helpful. If you have any additional questions or hashtag list additions, we would love to hear from you! Tweet us @VoxyMediaGroup!