The power of the hashtag: What you need to know
Don’t miss out on being seen because you don’t hashtag. A Tweet with a hashtag is about 33% more likely to get retweeted and that makes all the difference between #Trending and getting #LostInTheCrowd.
What are the basics of hashtagging?
Turn any word or group of words that are important to your business into a link that can be searched for with the hashtag (#). When you’re hashtagging forget punctuation and space and keep your message clear by capitalising each word #LikeThis, know as CamelCase.
Hashtagging can help you reach out to your audience by joining a conversation they are already a part of, as well as start a new conversation for your audience to engage with.
How do you hashtag effectively?
It’s a no brainer that using hashtags can help you reach potential new customers, but how can you do this effectively? To start, think about words that people would use when looking for your business and join in on those existing conversations. If you’re lost, a good place to check for ideas would be your competitors’ social media handles - particularly those with a strong following. Look at what they are using but always remember more is less, for both scope and in presentation. Keep in mind to look for Niche hashtags that have more engaged following.
Let’s take a look at an example: “Take a look at our latest collection today! #Trousseau #Bride #WeddingGowns” Is better than “Take a look at our latest collection today! #WeddingBells #WhiteWeddings #Weddings #Brides #Bridesmaids #FloralWeddings #WeddingShopping #Springwedding #WeddingsToday”
Memorise this, K.I.S.S - Keep it Simple Social-Media-User! Hashtag and put yourself in front of someone who’d have never found otherwise.
Why should I create an original hashtag?
Creating original hashtags gives your existing followers a place to engage with your brand. This helps build social media momentum for your brand and these original hashtags can also be used for promotions, contests, events or general brand awareness. Remember to keep them clear, unique, simple and catchy. No one’s going to remember or use a complicated hashtag.
Imagine if Coca-Cola’s classic #ShareACoke Hashtag was #GoBuyACokeTogetherAndDrinkIt - would it be popular? An original hashtag gives your audience something to talk about and interact with your brand on a personal level.
Where should I hashtag?
The rule is not ‘one hashtag fits all’, each platform has a different and unique function so take your time and do your research on what platforms you think work best for your business. Each platform has an unsaid rule of how many hashtags are acceptable, Facebook posts get greater engagement with only one hashtag but Instagram posts with about nine hashtags perform better.
Make your words matter and connect with both potential & existing customers using hashtagging.
Want to know more about social media management? Find out here, or book a call to with one of our digital experts.
5 Reasons You Need Instagram for Your Business
Instagram is now one of those must-have platforms when it comes to social marketing for your business. There are a number of reasons as to why it is imperative for every business to have an Instagram account and why those that don’t, will be pretty left out.
Boost your engagement
Data shows that Instagram is, in fact, the number one platform for getting your audience’s engagement. This means that if you want to establish a relationship with your current or potential client base (you definitely do), then you will need the post engagement that only Instagram can provide.
One of the main reasons why Instagram is now the number one platform for post engagement is due to its strong focus on visual content. This allows for a very unique space for large or smaller brands to interact with others.
Grow your following
Instagrammers want to see branded content and they do want to connect with brands - 80% of Instagram accounts are already following a business Instagram and 65% of the best performing posts feature products. When you add the engagement level for brands (4%), we have the optimal landscape for growing your branded following on this platform.
Generate leads
Instagram, like Facebook, is a very strong tool when it comes to lead generation. In this day and age, we are all aware that social media can strongly influence purchasing decisions. This can be at a subconscious level of the consumer decision-making process or at a direct level.
60% of users have first heard of a product or service through the platform. Also, over 120 million Instagram users have visited a website, gotten directions or called/emailed/direct messaged a business as a result of their engagement with the platform - all of those Instagram users equal leads!
By using strategic content and links in your bio you can effortlessly generate new business and sales. In conjunction with this it’s imperative to use the Facebook ad platform to reach new targeted and engaged audiences through paid ad campaigns.
Stay on top of your Instagram reviews
When an Instagram user posts something, using a location tag, it’s important to know that this tag isn’t owned or regulated by the business that owns the physical location. These Instagram Geotags belong to a separate public account that Instagram will store the posts under.
Therefore, for business, this can be a blessing and a curse:
Best case:
For example, if you own a local cafe and you have many dedicated and consistent customers who love to post at your cafe and have nothing but delightful words to accompany charming pictures of your space, this is what others will see when looking at your location on Instagram. With this, they are much more likely to convert and become loyal customers.
Worst case:
If you were to own the same local cafe, but one dissatisfied customer took it upon themselves to post a picture of your front door, declaring their distaste with the service that they just received - this post will likely linger on the web and dissuade other customers from posting to the location. This has resulted in the loss of unknown amounts of revenue through prospects who were steered away from your business as a result.
Granted, you don’t really have any control over the things that users may be saying about your business (just like standard reviews), you can still alleviate some damage by creating a branded Instagram account and monitoring posts on your location.
Just like standard negative reviews, you are much more likely to prevent any harm to your reputation, by actively responding to negative Instagram posts.
Don’t get left behind
The release of Instagram business profiles and the fact that it allows you to run ads/analytics with ease have been large factors in driving the Instagram growth movement. Don’t wait, get started on your Instagram strategy today to generate new leads, amplify your brand, and build new business! Find out more about Instagram.
Find out more about Social Media and how it can help grow your business, book a consultation now.
More: The benefits of advertising your business on Facebook and Google.
