If you’re not using hashtags in your social media postings, you are doing your facility a disservice. The point of social media is to attract customers both new and old, keeping them updated about what’s going on with your facility. Not utilizing hashtags causes your post to get lost in an endless sea of social media postings. Hashtags are essential in growing your social media presence.
What is a hashtag?
A hashtag is the # symbol followed by a word or phrase. Hashtags are used on social media and other informational outlets to help people follow and find topics of interest.
What is the purpose of a hashtag?
Once you use a hashtag for a word or phrase, that word or phrase becomes searchable. The word after the hashtag becomes hyperlinked making it easier for people interested in the hashtagged topic to find more information. Improving your ability to be found on social media.
How many hashtags should you use?
1-3 hashtags per post is the norm for social media. Using too many hashtags can cause people to unfollow you. You only want to use hashtags on keywords related to your business. Using hashtags for words like #exciting or #fun may not bring you the attention you’re looking for. Try using your city name followed by a descriptive word. #atlantafun #excitingfresno #datenightsandiego
Hashtags can improve your social media branding.
Create a hashtag for your facility that you and your employees use on every post. Encourage your customers to use the hashtag as well. Customers using your hashtag will increase traffic to your social media sites. The hashtag for your facility should be unique like #gatemasterfamilyfunla or #fantasticfunlasvegasgm the hashtag should be an easy to read phrase. You want to include your facility name and the city you are located in. Make your hashtag fun and memorable. Abbreviations are acceptable. #gmfunslc
How to use a hashtag.
When using hashtags, there should be no spaces between words in the phrase and no punctuation. Spaces and punctuations will break the link. Many social media sites do not recognize a hashtag that starts with a number e.g. #1Love. If you’re using the same hashtag across multiple social media platforms, make sure your hashtag is compliant with all their hashtag rules.
Where do you use hashtags?
The most commonly used platforms are: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linked In. You may find other platforms or forums that use hashtags. Be on the lookout for them in the sites and platforms you use most frequently.
Helpful tools for using hashtags.
On Hashtag.org you’re able to add a definition to your hashtag. Hashtag.org offers free and payable services for hashtag analytics for your branding. Another site that allows you to look up and define hashtag meanings is tagdef.com. You should look up definitions of hashtags, verify the meaning, and make certain your hashtag is not already in use before creating one for your facility.
Be amazed
You might be thinking, “Hashtags are just trendy.” or “Are hashtags really that helpful?” The answer to both is yes. Hashtags are trendy but they do serve a purpose. When promoting an event or your facility always use hashtags and you will see your social media presence grow. Create a promotion for your customers visiting your facility, encourage your customers to check in on their social media and use your hashtag for a discount or prize. All the customer must do is show you their post on their mobile device.
Creative by The Evoke Group