How To: Use Hashtags in Your Social Media Efforts the Right Way

Pam Sahota — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:34:33 +0000

Hashtags continue to grow in popularity, and not just on Twitter. People use them even in common phrases when they speak to one another too!

But what’s the right way to effectively use hashtags in social media for your brand’s campaigns? Let’s take a deeper look:

Why do brands use hashtags

To corral conversation around a topic such as a fashion line, an event, or a product/service
To continue the conversation online such as from a video, article, or event
To join a conversation with a pre-existing hashtag and contribute the valuable content your brand has
To bring awareness to the brand/topic/tweet
To bring engagement around a topic such as a new fashion line
To utilize the second screen / socialize TV such as around an event like the oscars
Cross promote content across social channels – ex. email and twitter
To corral conversation in Twitter chats and be able to respond and follow more easily

Quick tips on creating tweets with hashtags

Use 1 to 2 hashtags in a Tweet (not more or people get lost in all the ###s)
CamelCap the hashtag: #dontdothis #DoThis
Be sure to keep your hashtag short and easy to remember. By keeping the hashtag brief, you’ll save your audience some room to include more commentary about your content in their RT.

Quick tips on choosing and introducing a new hashtag

Jumping Into Conversations: Introduce your hashtag by piggy-backing on trending or relevant hashtags when applicable to the content and/or conversation.
Use your social real estate – add your main hashtag in your Twitter Bio and cross promote across social media and other marketing

To read more tips and learn what to avoid when using hashtags and monitoring your conversation – check out my full post on Startup Fashion.