Did you know that #hashtags offer more than just a symbol and word thrown into your post? Used effectively, hashtags can: help you reach a like-minded target audience, compel an action, evolve into a trend, and make your message stand out.
And, a branded hashtag or one used for a specific outcome can be instrumental in your digital strategy. So, here are some rules to stick by when brainstorming your next hashtag.
1. Memorable
This rule is pretty self-explanatory, but often forgotten. Your hashtags should be memorable. If you can’t remember what it is or how to spell it, how are you expecting your following to do the same?
2. Not Just Brand Name
While branded hashtags are always great, get creative when developing a hashtag that means something to your followers. Livestrong’s #BeatCancer hashtag is memorable, relates to its brand, and has quickly gained momentum as a branded hashtag. You can find some of the other “brand” hashtags that give more than just a name here.
3. Relevant
Make sure your hashtag, especially for a digital campaign is relevant to your brand, values, and overall goal. If you’ve created a branded hashtag, it needs to be relevant to your goods and services. If you’re created an opportunistic hashtag, it needs to be relevant to the campaign goals (ex: REI’s #OptOutside).
4. Easy to Understand
Your hashtag should be easy to understand without capital letters. That means if your hashtag looks like this 👉 #thishashtagistooconfusing, it’s too confusing. Make it easy to understand without capital letters so people don’t have to read twice.
5. Consistent
If you’ve created a hashtag, don’t keep changing it. Do your research before you start blasting it everywhere. And, when you’re ready to use it, be sure to have it on every post to be consistent.
6. Simple & Short
If your hashtag is too long or complex, people are more likely bound to either spell it wrong or miss a letter which means you just lost out on their content and eventually people will stop using it together. Or, more likely, they’ll forget it.
7. Use it Everywhere
Get ready to use that hashtag throughout your digital strategy. That means, within social posts, promoted on fliers, brochures, etc. If the hashtag is branded, get the word out for people to use it as well as using it yourself on your content. Share within your stories, on-lives, and promotional material so that people know they can use it when sharing their content or can find you with that information.
8. Research, Research, Research
When it comes to launching a hashtag, be sure to do some research about it. Is it currently being used? How many searches are done around similar verbiage? You’d be surprised at how many brands develop a hashtag only to find it convoluted with other content, and sometimes not the best kind… 😉 If you know what we mean.
Ready to brainstorm a trend-worthy hashtag? Let’s do it! Or, if you need some extra guidance, let us know. We can help brainstorm, create a launch plan, and do all the research around your digital, strategic hashtag.
And after you’ve created and launched your hashtag, be sure to keep track of its performance. Our friends at Sprout Social have a great blog on how to do just that.
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