What the Heck is a Hashtag and Why Should You Use Them?

This blog is dedicated to all the hashtag-challenged direct sellers and network marketers (and anyone else) who have no idea how or why people are using that pound sign thing.

Let’s start with the official definition of a hashtag:

“(On social-networking websites) a word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#), used within a message to identify a keyword or topic of interest and facilitate a search for it.”

That was confusing. How about this:

Hashtags will organize your content into a single discussion thread of people who are talking about that topic. In other words, when you use a hashtag you’re saying, “Hey, I’m joining that convo!”

Twitter started hashtags, but all social media platforms use hashtags now including Facebook, Instagram and Google+.

Hashtags explained in 7 steps:

1. Hashtags are clickable and searchable: Like a blog or website. When you click on a hashtag you’ll go to a single page where everyone who used that hashtag is talking about the same subject, idea or theme. Go ahead. The next time you see a hashtag, click on it and this will all make sense.
2. Create a hashtag by starting with the # sign – no spaces – and insert caps to make your hashtag easy to read. Add the hashtag to the end of your message or include the hashtag in the message itself. Example: Learn #HowTo use hashtags on Facebook. PS: #HowTo is a popular hashtag on twitter

3. Hashtags can be used to communicate a point…just like an emoji. My roomies at a Direct Sales Conference a few years back were in their late 20s and I found myself stuck in conversations that sounded like this:

#thestruggleisreal #firstworldproblems

4. Click on a hashtag before you use it to make sure it’s appropriate for your audience. All I’m saying is don’t use #SantaBaby on Instagram when you’re posting cute pictures of your 2 year old granddaughter with Santa. #HashtagWarning

5. Don’t be a Hashtag Ho: Yeah, I went there. Over-using hashtags on Facebook & Twitter (I recommend 3 max) will make you look like a spammer. You can use up to 30 hashtags on Instagram – where hashtags rule. Using hashtags that are not relevant to your content is also spammy, which means if you’re not selling Tory Burch clothes, shoes or accessories you shouldn’t use #ToryBurch

6. Trending hashtags can help you create themed content that is consistent so your fans know what to expect, and when.

For example, days of the week hashtags:

Monday: #manimonday #MotivationMonday
Tuesday: #Tuesdayshoesday #TransformationTuesday #GoodNewsTues #TastyTuesday
Wednesday: #WednesdayWisdom #HumpDay #WellnessWednesday #WineWednesday (my personal favorite) #WomenCrushWednesdays
Thursday: #Thursdate #ThankfulThursday #tbt
Friday: #FridayFeeling #fbf #FridayReads #FriYay
Saturday: #Caturday #SaturdaySwag
Sunday: #SundayFunday #SelfieSunday

7. Hashtags can help you find your ideal client, and help your ideal client find you! You can also use hashtags to connect with people going to the same Conference or Incentive Trip and market your business with a contest or promotion. For example, when I held my Leadership Retreat I used #VisionistasLead2019 so attendees could connect with each other.

Here’s an example of hashtags that could help you connect with your ideal client:

Want to connect w/ brides on Instagram? Follow:

#BridesMaidHair #BrideSquad #BridesMaidGift #BridesMakeup #BrideStyle

How about Moms on Instagram? Follow:

#MomBun #MomLife #WAHM #MomBiz #MomBoss #MomLifeIsTheBestLife #MomOfBoys #MommyToBe #MomOfGirls #MomProblems #MomPreneur #MomCommunity #WorkFromHomeMama #MomLifeBeLike #MomLifeQuotes

Now that you’ve learned more about Hashtags, I have a challenge for you. Invent your own hashtag! But remember…type it in the search (on Facebook and Instagram) first to see what others might be using it for. Just to be safe.

#MillionDollarPartyGirl

Ready to really rock your direct sales biz?