Hashtags are a powerful tool to increase brand visibility on social media. Using hashtags effectively, your content can reach a wider audience, boost engagement, and attract potential customers. However, to get the most out of hashtags, you need a clear strategy that aligns with your brand goals.
At Lesorcier Marketing, we specialize in helping brands elevate their online presence through targeted hashtag strategies. In this guide, we'll explore the dos and don’ts of using hashtags to maximize brand discoverability and avoid common pitfalls.
The Dos of Hashtag Strategy
Do Research Your Hashtags
Before you post, it’s essential to research which hashtags are relevant to your niche. Using popular or trending hashtags can help your content gain exposure, but don’t stop there. Explore industry-specific hashtags that your target audience is likely to follow. Tools like Hashtagify and RiteTag can help you identify hashtags that will increase your brand's visibility.
At Lesorcier Marketing, we recommend balancing broad hashtags with more specific, niche ones. For example, a luxury fashion brand could use general tags like #Fashion and niche hashtags like #LuxuryStyle or #DesignerWear.
Create a Branded Hashtag
Creating your branded hashtag is a great way to encourage user-generated content and build a community around your brand. A branded hashtag should be unique to your business and easy to remember. Encourage your followers to use this hashtag when they share posts featuring your products or services.
For instance, at Lesorcier Marketing, we help brands create personalized hashtags like #LesorcierLuxury or #ElevateWithLesorcier so followers can quickly identify and engage with branded content.
Do Use a Mix of Hashtags
When developing your hashtag strategy, mix high-traffic and niche hashtags. High-traffic hashtags can give your post immediate exposure, but they may get buried quickly in crowded feeds. Niche hashtags, on the other hand, have a smaller but more targeted audience. This mix will ensure that your posts gain short-term visibility and long-term discoverability.
Limit the Number of Hashtags
Although platforms like Instagram allow up to 30 hashtags, stuffing your caption with too many can look spammy and dilute your message. Aim for a clean, professional look using 5-10 highly relevant hashtags. The focus should be on quality, not quantity.
The Don’ts of Hashtag Strategy
Don’t Use Irrelevant Hashtags
One of the brands' most significant mistakes is using irrelevant or overused hashtags to increase reach. Using random hashtags unrelated to your brand or post can confuse your audience and hurt your credibility. Stick to hashtags directly related to your content, services, and industry.
For example, if your brand focuses on social media management, avoid using generic tags like #Love or #Summer, which are unrelated to your business.
Don’t Ignore Hashtag Trends
Social media trends move fast, and hashtags can go in and out of style. Don’t ignore current trends in your industry. Stay informed on the latest social media trends and incorporate relevant hashtags into your strategy to keep your content fresh and up-to-date.
At Lesorcier Marketing, we continuously track trending hashtags and adapt our clients' strategies to ensure they stay ahead of the curve.
Don’t Overcomplicate Your Hashtags
Long or complicated hashtags are complex to remember and difficult for users to engage with. Keep your branded and niche hashtags short, simple, and easy to spell. The goal is for your followers to use your hashtag without hesitation, so avoid anything that might cause confusion or errors. For instance, #LesorcierStyle is more effective than #LesorcierMarketingCampaignFall2024, which is too long and cumbersome.
Don’t Use Banned or Misleading Hashtags
Social media platforms regularly update their lists of banned or restricted hashtags. Using these hashtags, even unintentionally, can harm your account’s visibility and cause your content to be shadow-banned. Always double-check to ensure your selected hashtags are not on the banned list.
Additionally, avoid using misleading hashtags to get more views. For example, tagging #Giveaway on a post unrelated to a giveaway can hurt your credibility and frustrate your audience.
Maximizing Brand Visibility with Hashtags
Developing an intelligent hashtag strategy can significantly increase your brand’s discoverability on social media, but only when done right. At Lesorcier Marketing, we help brands harness the power of hashtags by balancing relevance, engagement, and industry trends. By following these dos and don’ts, you can build a strong hashtag strategy that increases brand visibility and fosters genuine connections with your audience.
Ready to enhance your social media strategy with the right hashtags? Let Lesorcier Marketing guide you to success with a tailored approach to your social media presence.
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