Hashtags are everywhere these days. Once confined solely to the use of Twitter, hashtags have expanded their reach to Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+ and more. They’ve become a language of their own, and searching for a particular hashtag will help you find content related to its topic. Simply clicking on a hashtag will show you who’s talking about the subject and what they’re saying.
The potential for what you might find when you search for a hashtag is limitless. Consider the following reasons you might use hashtag search for yourself or your business.
- Search for influential brands in your industry.
Choosing the right hashtags for your brand will be critical for social monitoring – and for starting and engaging in conversations with your target audience. This will help you build relationships with potential buyers to create awareness around your brand.
The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out what your competitors are doing. This is especially important if you’re a new business in the industry. Use a tool like Twitonomy to see an analysis of the hashtags your account is using, and then do the same for your competitors. You’ll get a good sense of the conversations happening in your brand’s niche, which will give you a baseline for developing your own hashtag campaign.
- Search for ways to save money.
Hashtags have more uses than you might think. The time you spend on social media could be funneled toward some surprising savings. Twitter is a great place to search for coupons – and you’ll likely find them in hashtags. Search for hashtags like #clearance, #bogo, #sale, #deals, and more; for better results, narrow it down by store name.
On the other end, this is also a great way to appeal to those who are searching for deals on products of their choice. If you’re offering a promotion on one of your company’s products or services, hashtags will help create a social media stir, ultimately generating more attention and leads.
- Register your hashtag for tracking and analytics.
Have you created a hashtag for your brand? Register it on Hashtags.org, which will also allow you to track its use. Others may still use the hashtag, which can actually be quite a useful feature. For example, if you’re running a promotional campaign or event, your registered hashtag will allow you to track any discussion on social media.
Make sure you include your hashtag on social media profiles and on your website. This will help clarify its origin for newcomers, who might not yet know what the hashtag stands for. If the hashtag gains momentum and becomes widespread, you’ll want it to direct people back to your brand. With a catchy hashtag and the right strategy, you’ll definitely promote engagement with your business.
