Hashtags on Instagram: The Ultimate Guide

The Entrepreneur's Beginner's Guide to Hashtags

How a Few Words Can Increase Social Media Engagement

I'm sure you've noticed there's no shortage of social media techniques and tips out there!

But have you also noticed the majority of those tips focus on general info, like how to get more followers or likes, or how to post compelling content to engage your users?

Those resources are important, but I notice that sometimes hashtags get forgotten about.

They're rarely mentioned in marketing articles, but they're such a great tool for building your brand, raising awareness around marketing campaigns and engaging/entertaining your audience.

How Do Hashtags Work?

If you're new to social media, I know it can seem overwhelming.

You may have seen these words with the # in front of them on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. (The hashtag actually got its start in 2007, when Twitter began using it to index keywords to make them more searchable.)

But what are these words supposed to do? Should you use them? Why are they seemingly random?

I've put together this guide to help you understand how to use hashtags (and what the heck they are!) so you can increase social media engagement and leads.

Think of hashtags as a way to categorize your content.

Ultimately, they help people find and share posts on a specific topic.

When you create your social media post, you take a word or words and put the pound sign (#) in front of it. If you use two words, don't put a space between them. Now, the phrase is clickable and searchable on the social media platform the user is on.

Choosing the Right Hashtags

When done correctly, these tags can help you gain more exposure for your business and increase social media engagement. But like any social media strategy, you have to do your research and think before you post.

I'll make this process easier for you. Here are 7 ways to start choosing the right hashtags:

1. Create them for events.

This is one of the best ways to increase excitement and engagement on your social media accounts. For example, the Cornucopia wine festival in Whistler shared many posts on their Twitter and Instagram accounts with the hashtag #Cornucopia2019, and so did their followers and attendees.

2. Tag famous people or big brands.

Take a look at what's trending on Twitter, and try and incorporate it into your posts; but only if it's relevant. People are going to know if you're trying to force it or be fake.

Some examples are big sporting events, record releases by musicians, holidays and popular books. If someone who's famous in your industry makes the news, you could use that tag in one of your posts.

3. Do your research.

Whether you are doing research on the latest news for an upcoming Canadian Federal election or hockey playoffs, you could do a hashtag search to find several posts on the subject.

Searching tags on social media platforms can be a perfect way to find new ideas and spy on your competition.

A great resource for searching popular hashtags is https://hashtagify.me/hashtag/tbt

4. Encourage sharing.

The more people who share your hashtag and use it in their posts, the more exposure, engagement and traffic you're going to get.

You may remember the campaign #ShareACoke campaign. The company swapped out its iconic logo on 20-ounce bottles, replacing it with 250 of the most popular American names.

It was one of their most successful campaigns, leading to a 2% increase in soft-drink sales and lots of social media engagement as followers shared cans and bottles with their names on them.

5. Turn one tag into a campaign.

Many users "monitor" certain words, so focusing on one consistently can help you gain a following.

For instance, you could come up with a campaign with several posts around a specific product you offer, or a holiday promotion you're doing.

6. Find some weekly post themes.

This is a simple way to tie in a trending tag with your business.

Some common themes include #throwbackthursday, where people post anything from past vacation pics to high school graduation photos; and #wisdomwednesday, where they share their advice on all sorts of topics.

I use #MotivationMonday and #TuesdayTip on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels and often mix in other popular hashtags for optimal exposure.

7. Use humor.

People love to share funny stuff with others, whether it's a trending meme or a relatable story. Here's a hashtag late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon came up with to get people to share: #MyWorstCostume.

By understanding which hashtags will resonate with your target audience, you can tap into a whole world of people looking for exactly what you're offering. So start brainstorming and researching how to add some fun and functional tags to your next post!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Susan_Friesen/260293

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Networking On Instagram

There are many ways to grow your networks, connect with others and do viable business while building quality relationships. Networking does not have to be in person but can also be done via the internet, apps and other online avenues. Social media, in particular, is a tremendous way to engage with individuals, groups, companies, and associations. But, like with other online platforms, savvy networkers need to learn how to make the most of their networking efforts.

Listed below are helpful tips for creating, fostering and growing communities for networking success.

Hashtags

The use of "#" is critical for Instagram efficiency and effectiveness. Once you have set up a profile, link and other information, consider brainstorming hashtags that resonate with your brand. These labels can help you connect with like-minded individuals who share your interests, skills, passions, etc. It can also create trending topics that allow you to be searched and discovered. It is recommended to post with at least 8 relevant hashtags.

@ Sign

The use of "@" is equally critical for using IG to its maximum proficiency. This feature allows you to include others in your post. This activity can make your posts to not only go viral but tap into other networks to further connect. Choose individuals, companies, and organizations which can benefit from your posts, find value in your content and are able to repost to their followers/community.

Visuals

Last but not least, it is important to make your post engaging whether they are short or long. Include eye-catching photos, interesting video clips, graphics and designs to appeal to your viewers. This is an opportunity to not only be creative but promote your brand and unique identity.

Follow these instructions to master the art of networking via IG. Connect with others, grow your networks and continue to add value.

Chi Chi Okezie is the owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Atlanta, GA. Learn tips, tactics, and techniques from the Champion Networker! Visit the SN Official Website: http://www.snseminars.com to read excerpts of her books, sign up for her newsletter, register for events and classes or visit her blog!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Chi_Chi_Okezie/154937