Are your hashtags attracting the right followers?

Hashtags are more than just a trendy accessory to your Instagram posts—they are a powerful tool that can significantly expand your reach and engagement. We all use them to expand our reach and hopefully attract more followers - but are they attracting the right followers?

Understanding Hashtags: The Basics

If you’re a female entrepreneur or solopreneur looking to grow your Instagram presence, understanding and implementing an effective hashtag strategy is crucial. Hashtags are keywords or phrases preceded by the # symbol. They categorize content, making it discoverable to users interested in that particular topic. For instance, if you run a bakery, using hashtags like #BakeryLife or #CupcakeLover can help people interested in baked goods find your posts.

Crafting Your Hashtag Strategy

1. Research and Identify Relevant Hashtags

The first step is to identify hashtags relevant to your niche. Use tools like Instagram’s search function, Hashtagify, or All Hashtag to find popular and trending hashtags in your industry. Look at what successful competitors are using, and take note of hashtags that generate high engagement.

2. Mix Popular and Niche Hashtags

Popular hashtags like #Love or #InstaGood have massive reach but also high competition. Niche hashtags, on the other hand, cater to a smaller, more targeted audience but can drive more meaningful engagement. A balanced mix of both ensures your posts reach a wide and relevant audience.

3. Create Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags are unique to your business. They could be your company name, tagline, or a campaign slogan. For example, Ever Joy Media might use #EverJoyMediaTips. Encourage your followers to use your branded hashtag to increase brand awareness and create a sense of community.

Attracting the right followers with hashtags

Using the wrong hashtags might bring you the wrong followers. I see it all the time. People think that using hashtags in their industry will widen their reach - and even though it will - it will also bring followers that aren’t necessarily ideal clients. I see this often with my nail artists clients. A lot of the time, they use #nailsofinstagram, #nails, #nailsnailsnails #nailart, and although they are not wrong for using those, it’s only attracting other nail artists to their account. Instead, they should focus on what their ideal clients are using. In this scenario, one ideal clients might be busy moms. Take a busy mom for example - what might she use when posting? #momlife, #momofboys, #momofgirls, #busymom.

Why Hashtags Matter

Hashtags are essential because they extend the reach of your posts beyond your immediate followers. When used correctly, they can:

• Increase Visibility: By making your content discoverable to a broader audience.

• Boost Engagement: Encouraging likes, comments, and shares from people interested in your niche.

• Build Community: Creating a sense of belonging among your followers through branded hashtags.

  Use Different Hashtags on Different Days

  Varying your hashtags day by day offers several distinct advantages:

  1. Broader Reach: Different hashtags tap into various segments of your target audience. By rotating hashtags, you increase the chances of reaching diverse groups of people interested in your content.

  2. Avoiding Shadowbans: Instagram can limit the visibility of your posts if you repeatedly use the same hashtags. Changing up your hashtags helps prevent this and ensures your posts stay discoverable.

  3. Keeping Content Fresh: Using different hashtags keeps your content dynamic and relevant. It allows you to participate in trending conversations and engage with new followers.

  4. Targeting Specific Campaigns: You can align your hashtags with specific campaigns or themes you’re promoting on certain days, maximizing the impact of each post.Pro Tips for Effective Hashtag Use

  1. Limit to 5-10 Hashtags: While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, studies show that posts with 5-10 relevant hashtags perform best. But, if you are just beginning on instagram, you’ll probably want to take advantage of the full 30. Begin using less when you feel like you are getting a steady number of followers on a regular basis.

  2. Vary Your Hashtags: Avoid using the same set of hashtags for every post. Mix them up to reach different audience segments.

  3. Use Trending hashtags: You’ll want to take advantage of trending hashtags. Especially the weekday ones like, #MondayMotivation #FollowFriday #ThrowbackThursday, etc.

  4. Monitor Hashtag Performance: Use Instagram Insights to track which hashtags are driving the most engagement and refine your strategy accordingly.

  Lets Wrap it up

  An effective hashtag strategy can be a game-changer for your Instagram growth. By researching and using a mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags, you can significantly increase your reach and engagement. Remember to analyze your performance regularly and adjust your strategy to keep your content fresh and discoverable. Also, don’t forget to save your hashtags in this helpful hashtag sheet. Happy hashtagging!