If you’re using Twitter, then you’ve definitely seen the use of hashtags. A hashtag is a keyword phrase without spaces that has a pound sign (#) prefix, such as #hashtagsarecool. The main purpose of a hashtag is to allow people to search tweets that have a common topic. You simply click on the hashtagged word and Twitter will pull up all tweets dealing with that word or phrase. And even though they are most commonly found on Twitter, you will also find them on Google+, Instagram and Facebook is now talking about incorporating them into their site.
Hashtags aren’t hard to use. However, there are some unwritten rules to use them correctly – the first being not to overuse them. If every one of your tweets is a hashtag, you will take away the value of what you’re writing. Usually, not always, but usually a hashtag comes at the end of the tweet. You want to explain what you’re tagging first and then add the hashtag. Lastly, keep it simple. A hashtag that is too long may not fall into another category making it hard to reach other tweets.
As a business owner, you can use hashtags to your benefit. When you post a tweet, be sure to add a hashtag related to your business. Make it an easy keyword phrase so that it is easily pulled up by more users. More people seeing your tweets can lead to more business! If you are using hashtags for your business, remember to track the progress to make sure they’re working for your particular marketing plan. You can find tips on how to track progress through different tools online or on Twitter itself.
With social media being so powerful, hashtags are becoming a very popular way for people to communicate all over the world. It’s a way for your customers to follow updates on your business and for you as an owner to follow conversations that pertain to your specific area. From Twitter to Pinterest and now possibly to Facebook, I think the hashtag is here to stay. Now it’s time for you to find a way to use it as a benefit for you and your business!