How to Use Twitter Hashtags in Your Small Business

Anyone Know the Right Way to Use #Hashtags?

Know what a #Hashtag is? If you’re not a social media maven, and especially Twitter, you might not have a clue what a #hashtag is. No need for that being the case any longer. A hashtag is a # followed by a word or phrase to perform a number of functions. Twitter users attach hashtags to tweets as search conventions, a method of categorizing, and marketing tactics. #Hashtags can also be used in other social media platforms.

Some #Hashtags basic guidelines

Make sure the keyword you are using is not in use elsewhere, or you may be in for a major surprise. This requires doing a little research (a search on Search.Twitter.com) to find out if that keyword will be a wise decision. Also, don’t use misleading #hashtags, even with seriously trending keywords. This will most certainly not work in your favor. And above all, proofread before you create that #hashtag, lest you become a victim of your own hashtag.

4 Ways to win with #hashtags

1. Make your #hashtags short and direct – Making it brief and direct is the best approach to win with #hashtags. If you wish to combine more than one, fine, but be sure not to string together a small army of them, as that will actually annoy your readers and label you an amateur.
2. Make them #hashtags to remember – Remarkable #hashtags are much more likely to be shared widely. Give consideration to this and you just may get your wish and have it go viral.
3. Use them on multiple social media channels – A #hashtag isn’t much use if it’s not shared. Although started on Twitter, #hashtags have become employed across multiple social media channels including Facebook, Google , LinkedIn and Pinterest. This can help to instill the #hashtag into the minds of their audience.
4. Make use of keywords – When possible, work in your brand or major keywords. It is not always feasible, so choose judiciously.

Creating and employing memorable #hashtags can keep your brand and conversation before your social media audience, and help perpetuate your campaigns. Give it a try today!