Do you have a love-hate relationship with hashtags? But what significance do these Instagram hashtags have to your business? Like Twitter, Instagram users never run a post without placing hashtags to it. From the simple to the out-of-this-world words lumped together to form a narrative, hashtags indeed give added interest to the visually-engaging realm of Instagram. But are they really relevant?
Perks of Using Hashtags
When it comes to hashtag use, experts strongly standby its efficacy in growing an Instagram account. However, this comes with a caveat– using the “right” ones. It’s not just forming two or three words. It is more like showcasing your interest, relevance of your brand, your company core values and that of your potential followers. When done accordingly, it can initiate exposure of your brand, product or service to your targeted markets or niche audience.
Hashtags amplify your chances of acquiring new followers. It also increases awareness to your brand and marketing campaign. It also helps increase your traffic engagement which may result to more conversion. You see, hashtags are used to organize/categorize both photos and video content materials. This process helps enhance optimization of your account’s content.
Types of Insta-Tags
Now, here comes another challenge– finding the right hashtags for your brand. Like ice cream is for summer and hot cocoa for winter, so does framing of your hashtags correspond effectively to the audiences you wish to capture. There are two main types of Instagram hashtags– branded and community-based. Knowing how to use both will help greatly in expanding your account’s point of interest vis-a-vis that of your targeted niche.
Branded hashtags are those uniquely made for your business. This could be the name of your company, products or services. It could be a slogan or tagline used. It could be a representation of your brand’s identity or the core values of the business. These hashtags have one solid design– to connect themes between you and your target audience. It appeals largely on a more personal level.
Community hashtags, on the other hand, is like a string that binds the rest of flower petals to create a beautiful lei. It is designed to connect people on their common interest or around specific subjects. These hashtags are used to penetrate deep into the very lair where people thrive together allowing you access to them thereby gaining more followers and growing alongside them in the said community.
The Best Hashtags
Without a doubt, Instagram hashtags is one of the best way to grow your clout in this powerful social media platform. But finding or creating the best hashtags can be a bit tricky. To be effective, you need to do some in-depth research through your audience, industry leaders, and last but not least, competitors. Find out what relevant ones are being used by followers and influencers and shape up your hashtags to follow their lead. Look for loopholes on your competitors and use such weakness to work in your own hashtag creative process’ favor. Piggybacking on top influencers is great but do make sure to do your own when connections have been established. All in all, identifying and learning how to properly manage hashtags will help your business greatly.
Need help creating powerful Instagram campaign? Schedule a consultation with Allison Todd now!
