If you are in social media to
any degree, I'm sure you have seen the pound symbol or # at some point. Whether it's #SanDiego #TBT or essentially
any word or phrase after the now famous hashtag sign. Some can get a little overboard with the use
of hashtags but they don't all have to be silly and obnoxious. Hashtags can serve a real purpose such as
providing history, telling your company's story, and most importantly putting
you in front of people who are looking for you.
On various social media
platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc), the hashtag (or pound symbol)
transforms any word of phrase that is directly following it (#foranexample)
into a clickable and searchable link or keyword. To date, the social media platforms that use
hashtags are (but not limited to) Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+,
Pinterest, and Vine to name a few! Don't ask me what all those are because I'm
only familiar with the basics (FB, TW, G+)!
Hashtags provides convenient
shortcuts that allow people to find, rally around, and categorize around
certain trending topics, conversations, and current stories. During the Super Bowl various commercials
implemented the use of hashtags in which you could search out real time conversations
people are having! This isn't just
limited to major sporting events, but are now becoming more common place across
various medium, platforms, and events.
Below are a couple ways you
can use hashtags for your brand, company, or organization.
Hashtags can tell your story
#ThrowBackThursday or #TBT
started when people would post old pictures of themselves or old heartwarming
events. In fact, you can log onto to
Facebook right now and in the search bar type in #tbt and watch what comes
up. The combinations of hashtags are
now infinite. The First Lady has even
got in the hashtag game in which she also contributes to #TBT.
Some brands use the weekly
#TBT as a way to share historic events, major occurrences, and etc. Just get creative and actually search out
what other companies and brands are doing and get in on the fun! Telling your story should be a fun, creative,
and socially engaging way to market your business, product, or services. Story telling has been around since the
beginning, and what better way to get your message out there!
Talk about what matters to
your audience, NOT YOU
One of the major mistakes
with hashtags is assuming your audience wants to talk about your brand,
product, or service. People are always
interested in themselves. People only
see, hear, read, and listen to only what matters to them. Try to think like someone who would be using
social media to search for products, services, etc.
When is the last time you
learned of a major event on Facebook vice the news?
What better way than to
search for and tap into conversations already happening to find out what the
public is searching for, their opinion, and how you can solve problems in the
market place. Also think of using broad
keywords in which your brand, service, or organization is aligned and see what
great marketing prowess you can come up with!
Add some personality, baby!
At the end of the day, have
fun with your marketing. Believe it or
not, your mindset at the time of you posting various social media blasts comes
through. If you are having a tough day,
pull up a crazy Youtube video and spend a few minutes laughing about it. Then take that same video and blast it out
with #funny #Laughingoutloud and while there, see what others are posting with
those same hashtags!
What separates you in the
market place is your personality.
Hashtags can be a simple and fun way to convey your brand, connect with
consumers, and maintain the edge on your competition. Consider them a secret tool that you use to
get that decided edge in the market place.
Have fun!
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