To Hashtag or Not to Hashtag? When is a Hashtag Appropriate?

To hashtag or not to hashtag? In the constantly evolving world of social media, that is (one of) the questions. Businesses and marketers seeking to generate leads, engage with customers, and build brand awareness must ensure that they are following the latest best practices for each platform. Here are a few current guidelines to remember as you tweet, pin, snap, and post your business:

Posting Strategy by Platform:

Pinterest

  • Upload hi-res photos from device
  • Descriptions are important
  • DO NOT use hashtags
  • Create Pinterest boards that engage other users
  • Gain followers by sharing Pinterest on other platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc)
  • Do not worry about posting on here every day. Just post when you have new photos.

 

Instagram

  • Upload hi-res photos from phone only (cannot upload from computer)
  • Add description (descriptions are not as important as you cannot search photos by their descriptions or keywords)
  • Links do not work in descriptions.
  • MUST ADD HASHTAGS (hashtags are most important in Instagram as that is the only way people can search posts)
  • Gain followers by searching similar businesses and following their followers (this shows people with similar interests that you exist and encourages them to follow you back)
  • Do not post more than twice a day in order to not annoy followers with posts.

 

Facebook

  • Upload hi-res photos from any platform. Cell phone photos can sometimes be unclear
  • Add a description with as much detail as possible without making it too long.
  • Do not use hashtags on Facebook.
  • Always add a link.
  • Do not post more than twice a day or else it spams follower’s Facebooks and they will unfollow.

 

Twitter

  • Add a short description with a hi-res photo. It is still best to have a link when posting here.
  • 1-2 hashtags can be helpful if they are popluar (#transformationtuesday, #throwbackthursday for example..)
  • Gain followers by searching similar businesses and following their followers (this shows people with similar interests that you exist and encourages them to follow you back)
  • Post 1-3 times a day.

 

Snapchat

  • Can be beneficial if your employees do this every day. If you decide to do this, ask people to follow the account on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Google+

  • Upload hi-res photos from any platform. Cell phone photos can sometimes be unclear
  • Add a description with as much detail as possible without making it too long.
  • Do not use hashtags.
  • Always add a link.
  • Do not post more than twice a day.