How do you reach new audiences on social media? Well, hashtags can definitely help!

Hashtags started on Twitter (now X) but are now used on most social media platforms. They’re a great way to increase social media engagement, get in front of new audiences, and grow your brand awareness.

If you’re not yet a hashtag expert, we’re here to help! Let’s talk about what hashtags are, why they’re important, and how you can use them properly to grow your social media reach.

What Are Hashtags?

Hashtags are key words or phrases preceded by a pound sign (#). There are no spaces in a hashtag, and no symbols or punctuation—only letters and numbers. On most social media platforms, you can click on a hashtag to bring up other posts with the same hashtag.

Why Are Hashtags Important?

Hashtags help people find the content they’re looking for, whether it’s #FunnyDogVideos, #VeganRestaurants, or #VintageStores.

This means hashtags are a very useful tool for your business. They can help you reach new audiences who might be searching for content or solutions like yours. They can help your posts get more views, likes, and shares. They’re a helpful part of any social media plan.

Of course, for this to work you have to choose the right hashtags… and use them well! Keep these tips in mind as you go.

Tips for Choosing Hashtags:

·      If you’ve done keyword research for search engine optimization (SEO), you can use the same keywords as hashtags whenever they’re relevant.

·      Specificity is good; #ArlingtonFoodie will get more relevant viewers than just #Foodie. Specificity also means you’re competing for views against fewer posts!

·      Short and snappy hashtags are usually more memorable.

·      It’s more important to use hashtags that people will actually search than to be clever or original.

·      Check out what hashtags popular influencers in your niche are using; if they’re getting a lot of views, they’re doing something right!

·      If you’re participating in an event (think: restaurant week or a business conference), make sure to use the official hashtag.

Tips for Using Hashtags:

·      You don’t have to use hashtags on every post. It’s ok to use them just when useful.

·      More is not necessarily better! Stick to just a few well-chosen hashtags, rather than putting every hashtag you can think of.

·      Make sure to research how different platforms use hashtags. You may not use the same exact list on each of your accounts.

·      Social media accessibility is important! Using “camel case,” or capitalizing the first letter of each word, helps screen readers decipher hashtags.

Get Started Today

Hashtags are an art, not a science! Your ideal hashtags will vary based on your platform, audience, and content. But by following these tips, you’ll be off to a good start! As you go, take time to evaluate your success and adjust your strategy as needed.

If you’d like help with this or any other aspect of your digital marketing strategy, 2XM is here! Contact us for a FREE 60 minute consultation today.