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If you're a Twitter user, you probably use hashtags regularly — and most likely take them for granted.
A hashtag is most commonly used for one of two reasons:
But did you know that using hashtags can help you reach more Twitter followers and gain more followers?
If you're like me, you've probably gotten into a rut as far as hashtags are concerned. I used to use the same half-dozen hashtags or so for each tweet I sent out. That is, if I used a hashtag at all.
Then I realized that, by doing that, I was essentially limiting the amount of people who could discover my tweets. In effect, only my current followers and those who are monitoring the hashtags I use could potentially see my tweets. No wonder the growth of my Twitter followers had plateaued.
When I spent a few minutes to find new hashtags to use, and interspersed them with old favorites, the number of new followers and RTs increased.
Here are specific things you can do to better maximize the power of hashtags in your Twitter marketing:
Take note of what hashtags are being used by influential Tweeters in your industry or market. You can also use websites like hashtags.org, What the Trend, and other tools mentioned here.
Don't get stuck using the same hashtags with each tweet. Monitor your favorite hashtags to see what other hashtags are being used in related tweets.
Before using a new hashtag, make sure you understand the context of its use. A fashion firm committed a serious social media faux pas by using the #Aurora hashtag in a tweet that's completely out of context — suffering a serious backlash.
If you do the research I mentioned above, you'll be less likely to make the same mistake. Don't use a hashtag just because it's trending. Make sure it's relevant to the content of your tweet.
How are you currently using hashtags on Twitter? What can you do to maximize the power of hashtags in your Twitter marketing?
Share your thoughts below.
Lexi Rodrigo is a communication and marketing professional for multimillion-dollar businesses, co-author of Blog Post Ideas: 21 Proven Ways to Create Compelling Content and Kiss Writer's Block Goodbye, and host of "Marketing Insights LIVE!." Connect with Lexi on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
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You can also include a specific hash tag in your blog post itself, so readers and followers of your blog know what to include when discussing a popular topic or post.
When I first started on Twitter I didn’t know if there was a master list of hashtags or if people just made them up as they went along.
If you get too cute with a hashtag no one searches for it. If you use something too generic it gets lost in the mix. Think about what hashtags people are drawn to and search for.
@Chris – Good tip to add a hashtag to your blog post. That way those who tweet about it can’t give it a wrong or irrelevant hashtag.
Lexi, super tip!
I’ve been trying to discover some new hashtags and Hashtags.org is an excellent resource.
Thank you – Theresa 🙂
@Theresa – You’re welcome! Glad you liked the tip.
Okay – hashtag newbie here.
I’ve never really understood what these were for and how to get them. I’ve seen other people use them, but that’s about the extent of it.
Got any hastag 101 info for folks like me?
(Congrats on your new work, Lexi! I’m excited for you.)
Thanks for pointing out the benefits of hashtags because I never use them! I’m going to research it now and check out the links your provided to get started! 🙂
Excellent article. I’ve always found hashtags to be a bit confusing.
Thanks. I’ll add that to my vocabulary.I use hathsags extensively to help my Tweets reach beyond my limited universe of followers. I first select words that I can use in Tweets to attract attention. I then search them to make sure that others are using them regularly. If not, I eliminate them from my list. No sense writing in words that no one else uses.