Once upon a time, in a world not so different from ours, existed an underused, underestimated character – the hashtag. This humble character has become the “key” that unlocks the gateway to an audience as broad as the world but as specific as a laser beam. What if I told you that this tiny symbol, this ‘octothorpe,’ could be your golden ticket on social media marketing? And how you ask? Well, the magic word is “Hashtag Research.”
Let’s imagine two florists, Daisy and Rosie, trying to bloom their businesses on Instagram. Daisy goes traditional, sharing pictures and using generic hashtags like #flowers. On the other hand, Rosie has heard about hashtag research and decides to give it a whirl. She discovers niche, less competitive hashtags like #TulipLovers and #OrchidObsession. Guess who saw her business blossom more? Spoiler alert: It wasn’t Daisy.
So, what’s the moral of this floral story? The better your understanding of the “hashtag landscape,” the more potent your social media strategy becomes.
Who’d have thought that the pound sign we casually drop into our social media captions is a goldmine of data? #NotYourAverageJoe, that’s who. Hashtag research is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Every piece – every hashtag – gives you more insight into the mystery of your target market.
In 2020, Instagram reported over a billion active users per month. Just imagine how many could be your potential customers, fans, or collaborators among this ocean of users! With a strategic approach, hashtag research can help you find your tribe and, in turn, help them discover you.
Let’s break it down:
Why not take a little break from all this talk and take our fun quiz, “Which Hashtag Are You?” Your result could spark some creativity for your next social media campaign.
As Hemingway once wrote, “To write about life, first you must live it.” The same goes for writing about your audience. To connect with them, first, you must understand them, and what better tool to use than hashtag research? By understanding which specific hashtags your audience uses and engages with, you’re one step closer to creating content that resonates with them, turns heads, and sparks conversation.
You’re a vegan baker (or maybe just a fan of #VeganBaking). With some Instagram hashtag research, you discover that your audience also uses #VeganTreats and #EcoFriendlyEats. Incorporating these into your posts could boost your visibility and attract like-minded eco-conscious foodies.
Hashtag research requires time, practice, and an insatiable curiosity like any skill. But the payoff? A nuanced understanding of your target audience, better engagement rates, and a few laughs.
Ultimately, our virtual florist Rosie didn’t just get more followers; she connected with an active community of flower enthusiasts who valued her unique offerings. That’s the beauty of a well-researched branded hashtag; it’s not just about reaching more people—it’s about getting the right people.
Hashtag research involves finding the best and most relevant hashtags to use in your social media posts. The study will help you discover famous, trending, and niche hashtags pertinent to your content that your target audience will likely follow or check. The aim is to increase the visibility of your content, connect with more people, and gain more followers.
The main benefit of hashtag research is enhanced visibility on social media platforms. Using the right hashtags will likely reach a wider audience, not just your followers. This can increase engagement rates, as people who follow those best hashtags can discover your posts, like, comment, and track your account. Hashtag research also helps you to understand trending topics in your industry, helping you create content that resonates with your audience.
There are various methods of conducting hashtag research. You can use social media platforms, like Instagram and Twitter, to see what’s trending or to search for specific keywords. Numerous online hashtag research tools and websites are also designed specifically for hashtag research. Additionally, looking at what hashtags influencers in your field use can be effective. The key is to keep a pulse on what’s relevant, trending, and impactful for your target audience.
It’s essential to understand that each social media platform has its unique hashtag culture. What works on Instagram might not work on Twitter. While some hashtags suggestions can be used across different platforms, it’s generally best to customize your hashtag strategy for each forum.
It was just another day in 2007 when Chris Messina, a social technology expert, tweeted with a hashtag for the first time. He proposed using the # symbol for groups on Twitter. Little did he know he was planting the seed for a social media networks. Here’s that historic tweet:
“how do you feel about using # (pound) for groups? As in #barcamp [msg]?” – Chris Messina, (@chrismessina), August 23, 2007
Fast forward a decade and a half, and hashtags are now a universal language, connecting thoughts, ideas, movements, and marketing campaigns across the globe. They’ve been instrumental in shaping online narratives, be it #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, or #IceBucketChallenge.
Choosing the right hashtag for your brand is much like matchmaking. You’re looking for the perfect partner to complement your brand’s essence, resonate with your audience, and bring out the best in your content.
Finding the right hashtags for your brand is both an art and a science. It’s a science involving research, data analysis, and trend spotting. It’s an art because it requires creativity, intuition, and an understanding your audience’s attitudes and behaviours.
Like our buddy Chris Messina, you could be one tweet (or post) away from a revolutionary moment. As you delve into hashtag research, remember this— it’s a journey, a process, and sometimes a rollercoaster ride. But isn’t that what makes it exciting? Now, conquer the world, one hashtag generator at a time!
Up until working with Casey, we had only had poor to mediocre experiences outsourcing work to agencies. Casey & the team at CJ&CO are the exception to the rule.
Communication was beyond great, his understanding of our vision was phenomenal, and instead of needing babysitting like the other agencies we worked with, he was not only completely dependable but also gave us sound suggestions on how to get better results, at the risk of us not needing him for the initial job we requested (absolute gem).
This has truly been the first time we worked with someone outside of our business that quickly grasped our vision, and that I could completely forget about and would still deliver above expectations.
I honestly can’t wait to work in many more projects together!
Disclaimer
*The information this blog provides is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. The information may not reflect current developments and may be changed or updated without notice. Any opinions expressed on this blog are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s employer or any other organization. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this blog without first seeking the advice of a professional. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this blog. The author and affiliated parties assume no liability for any errors or omissions.
