Hashtags were once a cornerstone of social media strategy. Let’s delve into their origins and current status to determine if they are still a vital tool for online engagement, or if they’ve become a relic of the past.
Hashtags had first gained popularity on Twitter in 2007 as a way to categorize content and make it easy to discover content that related to a persons needs or interests. They quickly spread to other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, becoming an essential part of social media strategy. Brands and individuals alike used hashtags to increase their visibility, join conversations, and reach wider audiences.
As social media platforms have evolved, so too have their algorithms and user behaviors. Instagram, for instance, has shifted its focus to prioritizing content from friends and followed accounts over hashtagged posts. This change has led myself, and I’m sure others, to question the effectiveness of hashtags.
This is where I will rest my personal case. Personally, I believe despite the changes, hashtags can still help your content be found by people who are interested in specific topics. Users can search keywords and directly be driven to your content due to their interest in a topic your post or video covers.
Here are three reasons why they should be utilized :
1.Defining Your Brand- Hashtags can be a wonderful tool for personalizing and branding your business. They are excellent at reinforcing your brand identity while also creating a sense of community among your audience.
2. Getting People Engaged- Engagement is another factor we can’t ignore as social media marketers. I’ve reviewed participation on posts that I’ve made using hashtags, and those without- and I can’t deny that there has been more engagement in posts with hashtags.
3. Keeping Your Brand Relevant-Trending hot topics are another reason hashtags shouldn’t retire. They are an opportunity for you to segway yourself into trending online conversations and open your business to a larger audience.
With all of the benefits of hashtags, we also have to be a step ahead of the future. And while I do believe they are still “in”, I feel there are other ways to draw attention to your brand. Many social media platforms offer other tools for discoverability and engagement. Tools such as tagging, geotagging, and of course, friendly connections. Ultimately, you have to choose whatever tool works best for you by monitoring what has gotten you the most leads, engagement and opportunities. . So, if you’re ready to take your marketing strategy to the next level, let’s have a discussion by scheduling a free discovery call. In the meantime, please feel free to connect with me on Facebook and Clubhouse. I hope this was helpful and leaves you #inspired.
Opmerkingen