#Strategy

Hashtags are so common on every social platform that it’s easy to think of them as a sort of joke (anyone seen that sketch with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake?) Well, we’re here to tell you that hashtags are actually a serious marketing tool and should not be dismissed!

The power of a hashtag lies in community. By adding strategic hashtags to your post, you are entering into an entire group of brands and individuals who are already interested in what you are producing. The people behind these accounts are actively searching and following other accounts that relate to their industry. So many of our clients have found us by searching things like “#luxurypr” or “#fashioninfused.” Not only will more people be able to find you, but those people will likely already be your ideal client!

So, how to decide which hashtags to use…

The trick is to strike a balance between general and specific. You want to cast your net wide enough to get seen, but something like #love is going to be so overrun with posts that yours will be lost in the crowd. On the other hand, no one is going to be researching something like #richmondwomanownedpragency. When you begin typing your hashtags, Instagram will provide a dropdown with the most commonly used hashtags (it should also tell you how many posts use that tag!) so there’s no excuse not to use them!

You can use up to 30 hashtags in one Instagram post, and 10 in a story. So try a variety! If you have a business Instagram account, you will even get analytics on which of your hashtags are most successful.

If you’re still stumped, trying checking out other brands and influencers that have high engagement in your sphere. Are there any recurring hashtags their posts? Here are some we use:

#womeninbusiness

#pursuepretty

#publicrelations

#agencylife

Go out and tag away, dolls!

Xo,

#ThePRdolls