A Guide to Twitter Hashtags

Are you using hashtags to get better exposure for your products or brands? If not, you are missing out way too much. Your content is going to sink deep down into the pool of tweets. On the contrary, if you are using too many hashtags, your content will lose its value. So, let us know how to use hashtags, and how not to use hashtags. Read on to know all the dos and don’ts about hashtags.

What is a hashtag?

Hashtags debuted on Twitter in 2007, but these days they’re used on other social media platforms as well, particularly Instagram, Facebook, TV, video campaigns, and even business-oriented LinkedIn.

A hashtag is a keyword index tool with a symbol #, or also known as the pound symbol, used at the beginning of a set of keywords that refer to a specific idea, trend, or topic. Hashtags are metadata tags with numbers and letters- without spaces and punctuation that categorize ideas and keywords on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram by making them clickable phrases that can be indexed with other keywords or related tweets. Hashtags make content discoverable in searches and reach more people effectively.

Why use hashtags?

To put it simply, hashtags increase your message’s visibility on Twitter, or rather, whichever social platform you use. Here are a few reasons to use hashtags:

• Increase engagement on the platform: Including hashtags in your message or post means taking part in the conversation that is trending on the social media platform. This leads to greater engagement and boosts your brand’s engagement through shares, likes, comments, and more new followers.
• Building brand awareness: Creating a branded hashtag can be one of the best ways to promote your brand and drive traffic.
• Increase visibility and discovery: Using hashtags will make it easier for people to find your brand. If people are following a hashtag, they will see all your tweets, including your hashtags. This in turn increases your reach and visibility.

How to use hashtags?

While using hashtags – either those that are trending already or those that are kick-starting a new one for a particular reason, idea, or campaign—there are some basic guidelines on using the right hashtag, at the right time, in the right way, with the right content.

Creating a new hashtag

Creating a new hashtag can be a little tricky. Like most content going viral on the web, some will find a way to break through and will go trending, while others will fall apart. Here are the three most important rules for creating new hashtags:

• Keeping it simple: Keeping your hashtag simple is the trick, and it’s the most important factor when it comes to creating a hashtag. If your hashtag is too complicated, it will most likely not catch on. Also, it shouldn’t be so vague that it’s impossible to differentiate from others having similar ideas or keywords.
• It should be easy to remember: Simple and clever hashtags tend to spread their legs easier compared to others. Using witty and easy-to-remember hashtags will not only catch on and be used, but will also have a longer shelf life.
• Create a sensible hashtag: Check whether the hashtag you are trying to create makes sense. Make sure that it is not confused with other ideas or hashtags that have nothing to do with your aim.

Using existing hashtags

When using hashtags that are already being used, there are a few important rules to consider.

• Research well before adopting it: Sometimes a hashtag may not mean what you think it means. Look at other tweets to make sure that the hashtag you intend to use is in line with your thinking.
• Make sure it’s relevant: Make sure the hashtag you want to use makes sense for your message. You miss the mark and you suffer the consequences.
• Be clever while choosing: Be sure to use your wit while choosing a hashtag. Remember, the right one has been used hundreds of times before you.

So, now that you know the why, what, and how of the hashtags, make sure you incorporate them into your marketing strategy. You can choose Bright Pixel a leading Digital Marketing Company in Pune, for all your digital marketing needs. We can help you craft your marketing strategy to help grow your business.