#Hashtag to stash Goodwill on Social Media!
We've seen them as part of so many posts online, and have definitely wondered why they are there. Word(s) written with a hashtag in front of it, which gets highlighted on its own, thanks to algorithms and social media techniques.
So why use a hashtag? Well, yes it's cool and yes, it gets people to notice your post, however there is a lot of thought process that goes behind creating a specific hashtag, which marketers use to promote products, an event, a sentiment or even an expression of happiness. You'd ask, wasn't it being done earlier?
The answer is yes! Earlier, words were written with much normalcy, just like ascribing online articles; however, social media lingo and literature have seen a combination, making more users inquisitive and increasing readership.
While you and I ponder upon, on the next best hashtag, which can be used on Twitter(this is where it all began), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and many more networking sites, let's try to understand, couple of thumb rules that allow a hashtag to go viral!
In the end, going viral is key to the success of a hashtag.
Point 1: Keep it relevant - Hashtags are important sources of connecting with online audiences. A point here is that various industries, have specific hashtags, which are used to connect with particular audiences; so ensure that the hashtags you create, are relevant to your industry and audience
Point 2: KISS - Short and simple does it, while conveying the bigger picture. Hashtags also contribute towards better Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and keeping them too long, would really not contribute to the purpose. #MeetingUpWithSallyAtTheAirport is excruciatingly painful to write and type. #SallyFlyDiaries sounds trendier, edgier and very vogue, and makes it easier to type too!
Point 3: Sabotaging other hashtags - We all enjoy having a unique identity, and hashtags too work that way. It would be wrong to sabotage another campaigns' hashtag to promote one's post, without context. While, objections are seldom raised, however it does present an indifferent picture towards audiences
Point 4: Hashtag-creative tag along - Goes without saying, a #hashtag without a creative for context setting doesn't resonate with the audience. It's important to keep the engagement value high on posts, and creative tag along serves the purpose well
Point 5: Support Mechanisms - If you are starting out on the social media bandwagon, it's essential to venture into sites like hashtagify.com and the likes. These sites allow you to learn about statistics related to the best hashtags for your industry, and also define which hashtags do well on social media
Point 6: Evolving Networking Platforms - There was a time in the late 2000s, when (#) was considered as a gimmick by Twitter, to stay different; however the success of hashtags on Twitter, has led to other platforms following suit. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram have joined in, however users needs to be cognizant on overdoing the hashtag republic. (2-3 hashtags on Twitter, a maximum of 5 on Facebook, a similar count on Linkedin, and going all out on Instagram does the trick)
The idea of hashtags are to educate, entertain and encapsulate audiences with good content and increase its reach across people of the world.
The pool of hashtags are vast these days, and people are even making full use of it in short messaging platforms. Ideally, make use of the wisdom between your ears, and chalk out a strategy to use a hashtag to maximum effect.
Some offline drills between friends, and deep reading should help coin the next best hashtag, which can work to your advantage, and help your brand/company's brand reach a wider audience.
#TheHashtagStory by @harryrockerz
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