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The Basics of Hashtags

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WHERE TO PUT THEM?

A hashtag is a type of metadata tag used on social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other micro blogging services, allowing users to apply dynamic, user-generated tagging which makes it possible for others to easily find messages with a specific theme or content; it allows easy, informal mark-up of folk taxonomy without need of any formal taxonomy or mark-up language.

THE HASH

Seen as a number sign, a US pound sign, or a hash symbol, (#), a hashtag is commonly used to highlight a particular or special word or meaning so that that particular activity can easily be seen by others looking for the exact or similar content or theme. In a simple sense, it is used to automatically classify exact or similar posts or activities for the convenience of other users.

THE FORMAT

So basically, let us say for example you want to post something on social media and you want to put emphasis on a specific topic about your post, this is where a hashtag enters the picture. You first type a hash or pound symbol preceding the topic that you want to be highlighted, making sure that it does NOT include letters with diacritics (a sign, such as an accent or cedilla, which when written above or below a letter indicates a difference in pronunciation from the same letter when unmarked or differently marked), dashes, ampersands, question marks, and other characters.

Your post will then be classified according to the topic that you have highlighted making it easier and more convenient for other users who are searching for the exact or similar topic. That is how a hashtag basically works but as simple as it sounds, there are things that you need to consider when you use a hashtag.

THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND IN USING HASHTAGS:

  • A hashtag must begin with a hash character followed by other characters.

    Some of the popular hashtags on Instagram are: #love #ootd #tbt #beauty #cute #fashion #photooftheday #selfie

  • Remember to precede the hashtag with a space.

    For example: We travelled to Portugal and Spain! #TravelGoals

  • Make sure that it does not include letters with diacritics, dashes, question marks, ampersands, currency symbols, and other special characters.

    So, typing #Beyoncé will NOT give results regarding the singer Beyoncé. You can type #Beyonce instead. Numbers and underscores are allowed though. For example: #Samoa_Travel_2000

  • The misuse of hashtags can lead to account suspensions.

    The use of too many hashtags and irrelevant hashtags can distract your followers from the important content.

  • Your brand name is NOT needed in every hashtag.

    That’s gonna be an obvious hard selling tactic on your part. Sometimes, you need to use specific hashtags to let other people share their thoughts, talk about a particular topic, and etc. It does not have to be a business promotion at all times.

Hashtags are everywhere!

These are only the basics of what a simple hashtag can do. Hashtags have become widely used and popular that it has become a staple in every social networking posts and activities.

What is a Hastag? How Important Is It?

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WHAT’S IN A HASHTAG?

You have most probably seen hashtags being widely used on various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and most especially on Twitter highlighting the trending topics in the online world. The truth is: hashtags are more than just the most talked about topic. A hashtag may just be a simple number or pound sign, but it can also be a great promotional tool to boost your website and all of its content.

HOW CAN A HASHTAG BOOST YOUR WEBSITE?

  • First of all, let us start by discussing the significance of a hashtag. In the age of social media, we can say that hashtags have really been important in making posts, activities, topics more visible and accessible to online users. Since a hashtag is a symbol we affix to a topic that we want to put emphasis on, or to a topic that we want to reach thousands or millions of people locally and internationally, it has been a great tool for content creators to promote their websites or contents.
  • It is basically just typing a hash symbol preceding the topic of choice, and that’s it. When online users search for that same hashtag, or even a topic with a similar theme, your content will be categorized as one of the possible choices, allowing users to easily see your work. This increases the chance that they will click on your website and read its contents. In a simple sense, it works like an online filter, which classifies posts for the convenience of the online users. But there are a few pointers that we need to consider should we decide to use hashtags in promoting our content.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN USING HASHTAGS

  • It is important to remember that in using a hashtag in a general sense, especially for promotional purposes, that the characters preceded by the hash symbol should not be separated by a space, there should be no spaces in between those letters or words.
  • It is also important to remember that your hashtags should be in line with your website. Of course it is common knowledge to use a hashtag that relates to the content that you want to promote. You cannot just use a hashtag that has nothing to do with your content because that will mislead the users.
  • Also, using long hashtags can be a disadvantage because using hashtags that are way too long are not too memorable to online users. That is mainly because, it can sometimes be tiring and hard to remember long phrases so as much as you can use as little words to make it easier for the users.

A NEW WAY

These are only some of the most relevant things that you need to remember if you want to use hashtags as a promotional tool for your website. Hashtags are basically a fresh way to promote your website and its contents. It allows content creators to boost their social engagement and promote their contents in the most modern and convenient way possible.

How to Effectively Use Facebook and Instagram to Promote Your Website

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apple, applications, appsA good website also needs an equally good marketing strategy to promote the business, to increase audience reach, and to enhance visibility. Since Facebook bought Instagram, I thought of compiling a list of strategies to promote your website on both social media platforms.

FACEBOOK

  • Post Inspiring Quotes. People did not join Facebook to know drama and gossips. They want to connect and read something that will motivate them. You make can your banner that includes famous quotes and add a motivational caption along with a link to your website.
  • Use GIFS. One way to increase traffic is to use images. The best part is: Facebook now supports GIF. Why stick with just pictures when you can now attach animated pictures? You can use relatable GIFS to reach the millennial crowd.
  • Post on Facebook Groups. While there is an option to make a group private, most groups on Facebook are open to the public. You are free to post and promote anything you want.
  • Make Polls. With Facebook Business Manager, you can create your own poll. You can ask your followers to choose a color of your next product, or you can ask to choose their favorite from your new collection.
  • Boost Your Blog Post. Once you posted a new blog post, share it on Facebook and give it a BOOST after an hour or so. This is a paid service and the fee depends on the duration of the boost, but it sure will guarantee that your post will show up on your audiences’ timelines. Since this a paid service, utilize it wisely by boosting your best products or a sitewide sale.
  • Facebook’s Lookalike Audiences. This is ideal for bigger businesses. Lookalike Audiences is Facebook’s way to reach people who are most likely interested in your products and services. Facebook will be using your best existing customers to profile your Lookalike Audience. You can select a source and Facebook will indentify the common qualities these people. The selected source audience should be at least 100 people from one country, but the recommended about is between 1,000 to 50,000 people.

 

INSTAGRAM

  • Post on Instagram Stories. These stories are viewable for the next 24 hours only. After the time period, the story gets deleted and you can freely add another story of the day. Instagram Stories is great for previews and sneak peeks. If you have an upcoming event or sale, you can tease your followers with the items up for sale.
  • Use Instagram Bio. Instagram focuses on pictures, but that doesn’t mean you cannot include texts in your bio. Usually, people just add their choice of emojis as bio, but you can post links too! It is recommended include a catchy one line bio, a link to your latest promotion, and you can even add an emoji to attract younger audiences.

 

These applies to both Facebook & Instagram:

  • Use Videos. There’s a live feature for both Facebook and Instagram. From time to time, use this feature to interact with your followers. Ask them what they like about your website, what their favorite products are, what they like to see more on the website. They can even ask you a question! Videos make Q&As more personal and not to mention very fun. Your followers see the face behind the website. People can identify with you and they will feel at ease buying from you.
  • Post more than once. You would probably wondering why and think that it would annoy people off your feed. Nope, it won’t. Share your content twice or even thrice. Post them at different times across different platforms to introduce your material to new audiences.

 

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