How to Properly Use Hashtags for Twitter Success

Can you guess what 25% of daily status updates we see have in common? I’ll give you a hint: it’s one of the most popular current trends in social media.

If you guessed hashtags, then you are correct. These characters are small but mighty, especially when it comes to Twitter and can help your brand achieve its social media goals. When used correctly, hashtags can turn a few simple words into something powerful, ultimately elevating your content visibility to a wider audience.

On Twitter, a hashtag links the conversations of different users into one stream, which can be found by typing the hashtag in the Twitter search bar or by using a third-party monitoring tool like HootSuite. Creating hashtags can be harder than they seem — just look at the NYPD and their failed #myNYPD campaign — so in an effort to help you create content that is applicable to your target audience or noticeable to prospective new followers, we are looking at how to hashtag for Twitter success:

1. Participate in events. Research the types of events your target audience attends and incorporate those event hashtags into your social media editorial calendar. Does your brand target fitness enthusiasts? Find popular races and tweet tips or good luck messages with the event hashtag.
2. Engage with your target tweeters. Set up streams in your social media management dashboards to monitor hashtags relevant to your brand. Monitor regularly, and, if you see a tweet your brand could naturally respond to, do it. But don’t overdo it. Only respond when you can truly be helpful. For example, if you’re an air conditioning company, monitor “#humid.” If someone complains about the hot, #humid air disrupting their sleep, jump in and offer tips on best sleeping temperatures, followed by a solution (perhaps your services).
3. Raise awareness of events you host. Spread the word about your upcoming events by incorporating the city, state, or your target location as a hashtag in promotional tweets. Make sure to adjust the hashtag if the city’s has nickname is a common hashtag (e.g., #Cincinnati and #Cincy).
4. Know what’s trending with your key audience. In addition to Twitter’s trends section, try a tool such as Trendsmap to find out what’s trending near your brand’s target audience. If you’re targeting a California audience, search what’s trending in that state’s major cities and fit your brand into the conversation.
5. Get your chat on – strategically. Join Twitter chats in which your brand can thoughtfully contribute, share valuable knowledge, and offer insight. Doing so will increase exposure and, if the chat is chosen strategically, get your brand’s name in front of its target audience. Twitter chats are great for personal branding, too. Try a tool such as TweetReports to find upcoming chats.

Hashtags, though small, should be an important part of any brands social media strategy. What are some important lessons you’ve learned from using Twitter hashtags? Share them with us in the comments!

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