Whether it’s a simple event or a major branding decision, hashtags can connect users with content that you create, as well as what other users create.
Here are a few simple steps in creating the perfect hashtag:
Keep it simple
It can be easy to get carried away in creating a highly-specific tag for an event or brand. Remember that if users can’t easily search your hashtag, they won’t find the content you’ve vigorously created for them.
Make it part of your brand
This goes for weddings, events, brands, everything. Your hashtag should have a piece of your brand within it. Chaco, the famous sandal brand, uses #ChacoNation, putting their brand directly within the tag.
An outdoor brand like Moosejaw has always used the slogan, “Love the Madness,” so they’ve adopted “MyMadness,” as a way to connect to the slogan, as well as user’s love for outdoor adventures.
Many wedding hashtags have something to do with the last name of the groom, or something between the couple’s names.
In a sense, don’t get too far away from your brand, to create a hashtag for it.
Only make one
Just because you can make endless custom hashtags, doesn’t mean you should. Just make one overall hashtag for your brand. There may be instances where a campaign would need a specific tag to go along with content, but be sure to not confuse users with several brand-related tags. They won’t know where to go.
Note, this is different than using hashtags to reach audiences. We are just talking about the hashtags you are creating to brand your content and create a database of related information.
Have fun with it
Hashtags should be easy, brand-related, and fun. Events, anniversaries, and brand hashtags can be loose, fun, and something users will like to add to their content.
Capitalization
Not so much political, but when you are creating a hashtag, it can be easy to confuse readers when everything is lower case. What word you thought you were spelling, apparently can say something else if you don’t capitalize each letter.
For example, a brand I work with is Freetail Brewing Co. For Freetail, their hashtag is #HangWithALocal. Now, if that tag says #Hangwithalocal, it can be more difficult for users to catch where the spaces should be.
When you create your hashtag, make sure to capitalize. Do that for all tags – it looks classy and won’t confuse your readers.
Share your hashtag
Once you’ve created those four lines and a beauty of words behind it, don’t just hide it, share it! Add it to your profiles, images, ads, everything. It, not only, is a place for users to share their content, it’s a place for all users to find content. It will also be the most important place for you to curate user-generated content of your own.
How to actually, physically create a hashtag that never existed
Maybe you read this article, waiting for this point. Well, here we go. If you have a hashtag that doesn’t exist, and you want to create a new content community, just hit the pound sign (hashtag), type in your new, amazing tag, and publish your content.
Whew, got nervous there.
It’s really that easy. If it didn’t exist before, it does now. Feel free to look at that hashtag, watch it grow with content of your own, a few others, and happy tagging!
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Dave Solce 