Understanding the Hashtag
Increasing your digital footprint with hashtags
Social media sites are equipped with lots of unique tools and functions that can be both fun and helpful to use— if you know how to use them that is. Arguably, one of the most effective tools is the hashtag (#).
Hashtag (n.): On social media sites (Facebook, Twitter)-a word or phrase preceded by a hash or pound sign (#) and used to identify and categorize messages on a specific topic.
Hashtags have become an integral part of how we communicate online. If you’re not using hashtags or using them incorrectly, you could be missing out on an opportunity to strengthen the success of your social media accounts.
Hashtag Benefits
When you use a hashtag, you are contributing your message to a trending topic. When you put the # in front of your keyword or phrase, it becomes a hyperlink that your users can click on and get directed to all other social media content connected with that keyword or phrase.
Not only do hashtags make your messages more accessible, they make you more relatable.
When buyers and sellers are searching for a potential agent to represent them, they’re looking for someone with a successful track record and someone who is affable and doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Hashtags are a great way to show-off your lighter side to potential clients.
Research Terms and Phrases
Before selecting the perfect hashtag to accompany your social media post, it’s important that you take the time to research popular real estate terms. You want to make sure that the keywords and phrases you choose to hashtag are relevant to your brand. You can research the popularity and usage of hashtags by looking them up on sites such as Hashtag.org.
Great real estate hashtags include:
- #RealEstate
- #justlisted
- #Listing
- #ForSale
- #home
When is it ok to add a Hashtag
Hashtags are a great way of increasing your site traffic and expanding your digital footprint. They also make you relatable to potential clients. However, there can be too much of a good thing. Overusing hashtags can cause more good than harm. Below are a few tips to follow to ensure your social media users don’t suffer from a hashtag overload:
- A good rule of thumb is to limit your hashtags to no more than two per posts.
- Use hashtags sparingly and respectfully—adding hashtags to all your social media content becomes overwhelming.
- Make sure other people are using your hashtag-If no one else is using the hashtag, there is no existing connect with which to connect your content.
Hashtags are a great tool that can help you keep your social media content organized, and they make it easier for you to connect with potential clients. For more advice and hints on how to get the most from your social media accounts, check-out our Social Media Essentials eBook.