A social media marketing campaign consists of many elements, from planning to execution, and only the best practices will get you the desired results. One way to get more exposure for your brand is through a hashtag campaign.
Hashtags are not just for fun or aesthetics; they have a goal and a purpose. They can increase your brand's visibility, reach new audiences, and engage with your current followers.
With the right strategy, hashtags can be a powerful tool for promoting your brand and creating buzz around it.
Let's elaborate on what a hashtag is and discuss the steps to starting a successful hashtag campaign.
What Is a Hashtag?
A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the pound or hash (#) symbol. It is used on social media platforms to categorise and organise content.
When you click on a hashtag, it will lead you to all the posts that contain that specific tag.
Hashtags originated on Twitter in 2007 and have now become widely used on other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.
Possible hashtag examples for a digital marketing agency include:
#digitalmarketing, #socialmediamarketing, and #contentcreation
How to Start a Hashtag Campaign
If you're fascinated by the idea of creating a hashtag campaign for your brand, here's how to do it in 7 simple steps:
1. Identify Your Target Audience
You need to identify what your target audience will type into social media platforms when they search for things that interest them.
When you know what hashtags are related to your target audience, it will be easier to create a campaign that resonates with them.
2. Set Your Objectives and Goals
Why are you running this social media marketing campaign? What do you wish to achieve?
Start by listing your objectives and goals to give you a clear direction for your campaign.
If you want to increase your brand awareness, create a set of hashtags that includes your brand name or slogan. If you want to promote a specific product or service, use hashtags relevant to that offering.
3. Do Your Research
Before creating your campaign, make sure to research which hashtags are already in use and popular within your industry.
This will help you avoid using overused or irrelevant hashtags and allow your brand's hashtag to stand out.
Additionally, research trending topics and current events that may be relevant to your brand or campaign. Incorporating these into your hashtag can greatly increase its reach and engagement.
4. Create Your Hashtag
Now it's time to get creative!
Brainstorm different ideas and variations for your hashtag, keeping in mind your campaign's target audience and objectives.
A good idea is to research your competitors' hashtags and see what works for them, then come up with something unique that sets your brand apart.
How do you create a great hashtag?
- Keep it to the point.
- Experiment with higher and lower character counts.
- Avoid using special characters or symbols that may be difficult for users to remember or type.
- Make it memorable and easy to spell.
- Research if the hashtag is already in use by searching on social media platforms. If it's being used for something unrelated, consider tweaking your hashtag slightly to make it more unique.
5. Plan Out A Strategy
With your set of hashtags, it is now time to strategise.
Where will you use it? How many times will you use it? Will it be used in conjunction with other hashtags?
Consider the different social media platforms and their respective character limits for hashtags.
You can use hashtags on:
- TikTok
6. Repurpose Your Hashtags
Repurposing your social media hashtags can also be an effective strategy.
For example, use them in your email marketing campaigns or your website. This allows for cross-platform promotion and can attract new followers from different platforms.
7. Track and refine
As with any marketing strategy, it is important to track and analyse the performance of your hashtags.
Use analytics tools provided by social media platforms to see which hashtags are driving the most engagement and reach. Based on this data, continue to refine and adjust your hashtag strategy for optimal results.
Remember to also monitor user-generated content using your hashtag, as this can provide valuable insights into consumer behaviour and preferences.
What Not To Do
There are certain mistakes to avoid when using hashtags on social media:
Don't use too many hashtags in one post - this can come across as spammy and overwhelming for users.
Avoid using irrelevant or random hashtags - they should be relevant to your brand, content, and target audience.
Avoid using offensive or controversial hashtags - this can damage your brand's reputation and alienate potential followers.
Follow these simple 7 steps and keep in mind what not to do, and you'll be on your way to effectively using hashtags on social media!
Need Help? Let Us Know!
If you need help with your social media platforms and everything related to them, we're here to help.
Our team at Starbright specialises in social media management and can assist with everything from hashtag research to content creation.
Don't hesitate to reach out and let us help you!