1Understanding the #Hashtag Culture
Picture this – it’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, and you’ve just crafted the perfect tweet, Instagram post, or LinkedIn update. You hit ‘post,’ sit back, and wait for the likes, shares, and comments to roll in. But, instead, you’re met with the cruel sound of social media silence.
A tumbleweed rolling across the barren plains of your social media feed? If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, chances are, you might not be using hashtags effectively.
The Art of Hashtagging: #Balance
Did you know there’s a delicate art to hashtagging? It’s like a well-made peanut butter and jelly sandwich – you want just the right amount of both. If your post is overloaded with hashtags, it may come across as #desperate or #spammy. But, a post without hashtags can disappear faster than a doggo chasing its tail.
Different Platforms, Different #Hashtag Rules
Let’s get this straight – not all social media platforms are created equal when it comes to hashtags.
Twitter is the OG platform of hashtags. Keep it concise and to the point, much like your tweets. Two hashtags per tweet are considered the sweet spot.
Instagram, on the other hand, is hashtag heaven. You can include up to 30 hashtags in a post, but research shows that 9-11 hashtags generate the most engagement.
On LinkedIn, we’re going back to the minimalist approach. 3 to 5 hashtags are usually enough to maximize engagement without overwhelming your professional audience.
#Research: Know your Hashtags
Before you start hashtagging away, it’s essential to do your research. You don’t want to end up using a hashtag that’s unrelated to your content or, even worse, attached to a negative or controversial conversation.
Think of using a hashtag without researching like blindly walking into a party. You might stumble upon a fun karaoke session, or you might end up in an intense debate about whether pineapple belongs on pizza.
Trending #Hashtags: Ride the Wave
Take advantage of trending hashtags, but remember, relevance is key. Jumping on a trending hashtag that has nothing to do with your content may garner some attention, but it could also leave your audience feeling confused or misled.
Custom Hashtags: #BeUnique
Creating a unique hashtag for your brand or campaign can help create buzz and make it easy for people to find related content. Just make sure it’s unique, easy to remember, and not too long.
In conclusion, using hashtags effectively is an art form. It involves balance, research, understanding the rules of different platforms, and a bit of creativity. Done right, hashtags can turn that tumbleweed-filled feed into a bustling hub of engagement.
It’s that simple! So, #WhatAreYouWaitingFor?