Hashtags are words or phrases preceded by the "#" symbol that are used on social media platforms to categorise content and make it easier to discover. When you add a hashtag to your social media post, it becomes clickable, allowing users to find other posts that have used the same hashtag.
Here are a few reasons why using hashtags in your social media posts is important:
- Increased Visibility: Hashtags help increase the visibility of your posts. When users search for or click on a specific hashtag, they are taken to a page that displays all the posts using that hashtag. This gives your content a chance to be seen by a wider audience, including people who may not be following you yet.
- Targeted Reach: By using relevant hashtags, you can target specific audiences and communities interested in the topic you're discussing. This ensures that your content reaches people who are more likely to be interested in what you have to offer.
- Categorisation and Organisation: Hashtags help categorise your content and make it easily searchable. They allow you to join conversations and trends related to a particular topic, making it easier for users with similar interests to find and engage with your posts.
- Trend Participation: Hashtags are often used to join in on trending conversations and events. By using popular and relevant hashtags, you can participate in broader discussions and potentially increase your reach and engagement.
- Brand Awareness and Campaigns: Using unique and branded hashtags can help promote your brand and specific marketing campaigns. By encouraging your audience to use your hashtag in their own posts, you can generate user-generated content and create a sense of community around your brand.
Remember to use hashtags strategically and sparingly; don't use the highest traffic hashtags you can find. Using irrelevant hashtags is often counterproductive as its misleading and will result in poor engagement and often negative comments. Carefully research popular hashtags within your industry or niche, analyse their engagement levels, and choose the ones most relevant to your content. It's also essential to keep an eye on current trends and popular conversations to capitalise on relevant hashtags in real-time.
If you are a multi-office business such as a franchise network, using a tool like socialHANDLER can help you distribute consistent and on-brand social media content, containing relevant hashtags, at scale across your entire franchise network. Get in touch today to find out more