The importance of #hashtags cannot be underestimated because they are the tool which organizes the information of social platforms. Just like Google has smart algorithm’s to organize websites and search results, social media platforms have the concept of #hashtags. When a blogger adds a relevant #hashtag to their content, it’s just much easier to locate your information when users type the same phrase within social platforms. However, it’s one thing to use them and another to know how to do it correctly. I see many people making common mistakes when using #hashtags which don’t provide any value going forward. In the end, what good is this organization strategy if you don’t know how to use it effectively?
I decided to go searching online trying to find the MOST effectively techniques and tips people are recommended. I would like to discuss some of them below. Let’s get started.
Testing and Trail
The best way to find out which ones are the best is by randomly testing different ones. Sometimes you might get lucky when you incorporate certain #hashtags and can continue to use them going forward. However, even when using this strategy, it’s important you keep things as relevant as possible and have a smart way to test CTR. The best way to keep track of the data is by implementing the URL tool Bitly.com. This tool will provide you with all the information you need to make a quick decision on the effectiveness of the #hashtags.
Consistency Matters
If you want to have continued success, then it’s important to be consistent. The funny thing is this philosophy works no matter what work you’re involved in. For example, you’ll want to be consistent when blogging, marketing, work habits, etc. The more consistent you are in your life you can expect to see results. The same applies to your #hashtag campaign because once you find specific tags that work well you can continue to use them to increase traffic and engagement. Obviously the first element is to test as mentioned in the first factor however once that process has been optimized you can continue to be consistent to increase exposure.
Always Have a Plan
This probably should have been listed first however you can apply this NOW into your strategy. It’s important to have a plan when marketing on social media. This means to know what #hashtags to use and what content, title, images or video’s you’ll like to show. It’s said posting too much can be detrimental to your success which is very true so you need to figure out the right course of action. Thinking about certain factors beforehand will protect you going forward and allow you to avoid costly mistakes.
Utilize Tools
I’ve talked extensively about tools which I’ve used in the past to help with my #hashtag research. Personally, I use hashtagify.me which provides me with all the information I need. You’ll start by typing in your target keyword and the tool will generate other relevant #hashtags perfect to test during your campaign. If you click on the table column, you’ll be able to get a listing of the trends for each of the tags like if they are trending, weekly trend, popularity, etc. By using this tool, you can pretty much get all the information you need to make an informed decision. However,
Once you do get all this information, you need to get into testing and tweaking. Here are a few things to pay close attention to:
- Overall success of #hashtags
- Date and time to use
- What content creates the highest engagement
- What #hashtags to avoid going forward
#hashtags is also a very good way to find out who your competition is within your niche. When using certain tags, you’ll find out what other brands are using the same ones and how often so you can pull enormous data out from this. For example, if you notice your competitor using the same #hashtags often then you know they must be having a certain level of success with them.