How Do I Use Instagram Hashtags?
Before you see the title of this blog and think it’s just another post about what hashtags to find on Instagram, I’ll cut to the chase: this is not about which hashtags to use, but how to effectively use hashtags on Instagram. There’s a big difference, and thinking about it in that way could be just the mindset shift you need to dive in a little deeper.
While I do have a fairly good and consistent Instagram presence (see it here), it’s not necessarily a main focus of my business. My ideal client - a small business owner with a deep value for marketing but no time to do it - is certainly on Instagram, but is most likely using the platform to try and expand their businesses rather than find someone to fill the marketing holes they have. Of course I believe in long-term investment, but my main strategy on this fast-growing platform is interaction and engagement over posting, reels, stories, and live video.
The first thing to do when thinking about utilizing Instagram hashtags for your business is to sit down and brainstorm what your ideal client is talking about. What kind of posts would they make? Will they live more on stories or in the feed? What is in their feed? Once you determine this, find some relevant hashtags around those profiles and topics. It’s helpful to identify specific Instagram profiles your ideal client might follow, then look at a few of their posts to see what hashtags they are using.
Write those hashtags down, then go visit them and see what other tags are being used in conjunction with these. You want to keep the focus on words and phrases relevant to your business or sector - don’t spread the net too wide, or you won’t have the time to fill it. If you are a local business who has in-person sales or focuses on the market within a certain radius, make sure to look for location hashtags as well. Sometimes you will even find location hashtags connected with relevant topics (#austintattooshop, for example).
Once you have a list of about 10 to start, set aside 10-15 minutes each week and interact with those profiles and hashtags. Yes, you can use relevant ones in your posts, but tapping on the hashtag will literally bring you to the profiles of your ideal clients and the businesses or people they follow. Leave meaningful, relevant comments on some posts. Don’t try and spam as many as possible - instead, go for quality over quantity. Again, you are spending a small amount of time per week on this, so it doesn’t need to be a huge time waster!
Side note: if you do struggle with wasting time on social media, I would recommend setting a timer on your phone or an external source with a strict cutoff. When the timer rings, finish that comment and shut it down. This does not need to take hours.
It’s just as simple as that! If you are discouraged with a lack of engagement on your posts or very few followers, this hashtag strategy is perfect for your business. You are expanding your network far and wide on relevant topics and words without spending a ton of time creating content and posting it. It’s an evergreen strategy that is sure to grow your reach.
Leave a comment below and let me know some of the hashtags or profiles you find. I can’t wait to see what kind of growth this brings!