Building Your Brand With A Hashtag

By Meg Hodson

Hashtags are an old friend at this point on social media.  Hashtags have been commonplace since the inception of Twitter and Instagram; even on Facebook, hashtags are becoming the norm.  We use them to chat about fun topics like #WorldCup or the #Oscars.  We have live chats based around them.  They are also a huge identifying piece to campaigns and brands (think of the recent viral scope of the #IceBucketChallenge for ALS). 

Brands are seeing the importance of using hashtags.  It's fairly obvious that a beer company should use hashtags that correlate with their brand, such as #beer or #craftbeer.  But I've noticed (with a smile on my face) that many brands are finding their own unique, brand-specific hashtag to add to their logos, advertisements, cover photos, business cards, and other marketing materials. Why is this important?

1. Spreading A Message.  Whether your hashtag is your tag line as a brand or a motto, you can use it to spread a message.  Many of you might be familiar with Coca-Cola's latest campaign with names on cans and bottles, hoping customers will find their name and #ShareACoke. Coke gets a 2-for-1 with this hashtag, spreading both their brand name and a message.  They are directing customers to do something specific through a hashtag.....brilliant.

2. Creating A Culture Around Your Brand. I recently noticed Bud Light is using the hashtag #UpForWhatever with their brand. I've noticed it on posters and on their Twitter profile. While seeing that hashtag by itself would not make you think of beer or Bud Light, that's not the point. They are creating a culture, a feeling, a vibe by associating that hashtag with their brand. It''s an extension of the brand specifically for social media. It personalizes the brand, which is so important these days on social channels.

3. Show You Are Connected.  Hashtags are important. I get frustrated with brands that don't use them on social media. Hashtags are a way for people to talk about your brand on social sites. Why wouldn't you want to capitalize on that?

4. Don't Use Too Many Hashtags. Don't dilute your brand with too many hashtags. Choose 1 or 2 that you truly want to define your brand. You don't want to spread your message loosely across numerous hashtags; keep people together with less. 

What are some of your favorite hashtags you have seen brands using lately?

 

Must Have Blog Resource: Hashtags

You probably hear this term almost everyday if you are an active blogger or on social media daily.  Hash tag! Most of us are familiar enough with the basic function of hash tags.  Think of hash tags as search topics for the message or article you are posting.  But how can you use them to the best of your advantage to promote your blog?  Here are some basic guidelines.

1.  Hash Tags Aren't Just For Twitter.  Twitter revolutionized the use of hash tags.  But almost all social media outlets (Facebook is the exception) support and use hashtags.  So, when you are using Instagram, Google Plus, and other social media, don't forget your hash tags!  Hash tags increase your presence on social media and get you noticed.  So, don't forget to use them.  Furthermore, hash tags can also be used on blogging network sites, like Blog Her.  When you are prompted to enter a "tag", you can add a hash tag to the topics you are inputting.

2.  Hash Tags Help You Network.  Hashtags are a great way to search topics you might be interested in or bloggers you may want to network with.  For example, in the "Discover" tab of Twitter, you could enter a hashtag like #momblogger or #kids and see what comes up. You might discover bloggers you want to network with or topics to read about.  

3.  Hash Tags Increase Your Social Media Presence.  People will find you easier if you use hash tags.  Users on social media regularly search certain key hash tag phrases.  Some even auto-follow or like when certain hash tags are used.  Don't miss out on such an opportunity to be seen by users who would otherwise not know you exist.  

4.  Use The Same Hash Tags Regularly.  While it's fun to have hash tags that contribute humor to what you are posting (i.e., #ineverknewathingabouthashtags), it's important to use hash tags over and over, as well as ones that are common to your genre.  For example, beauty bloggers regularly use #bblogger in their posts.     Such use not only builds a following, but they also get picked up by search engines.  If you are unsure what a given hash tag stands for, you can always Google it to find out it's meaning.  

5.  Learn Hash Tag Days For Your Industry and Contribute Regularly.  Hash tag trends are occurring all the time.  Everyday of the week, it seems like there are hash tags that go along with that day.  #MM (Mention Monday), #WW (Wordless Wednesday or Wedding Wednesday), #TBT (Throwback Thursday), and #FF (Follow Friday) are just a few, but they are big ones.  Have fun with these!  Put the spotlight on your favorite blogging friends or sponsors.  Highlight an old blog post or photo for Throwback Thursday.  

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!

Instagram Party! Favorite Kids Gifts

We're excited to host our first Instagram party!  Let's gather some great kids' gift ideas.  Use the hash tag #favekidsgifts and post your photo to Instagram. We will periodically be sharing our favorite ideas on our blog.  Be sure to leave your blog address, Facebook or Twitter page, or however you would like to be credited for the photo.