Hashtag Strategy: Beginner’s Guide

There’s always something to learn when it comes to growing on social media, literally each day there’s something new you need to do to grow on Instagram or to reach your next milestone. Hashtags are a secret weapon when it comes to Instagram. You know “like three profiles, comment on the other, but don’t double tap…. use the heart.” I’m kidding.

There are so many contradicting statements and things that people say. Like someone will tell you the time you post is not important while the next person tells you that it is essential to post seconds to your ideal clients time. When I started my using my Instagram for business in 2020, I set out to figure what worked for MY Instagram. Whether it’s hashtags, alt text, content creation, consistency etc make sure you are trying things out! I set out to figure out hashtag & in majority of my post 50% of people that are not following me see my posts. All in all, I honed in on how to use hashtags, I figured out how to I could use them for my specific account.

In this post, I will tell you the things you need to keep in mind for your hashtag strategy for 2021 to grow on Instagram.

Why should I use hashtags?

When hashtags “stopped working” during the election, I reached over 5,000 accounts through hashtags. I also had friends who were reaching accounts and others who were not reaching anyone with hashtags. Hashtags are a way for accounts who do not know you to find you! Firstly, in 2021 you should USE hashtags on EVERY SINGLE POST! The more accounts that see your content, the more likely you are able to increase your likelihood to grow your community!

How do you find which to use?

Make sure to RESEARCH your hashtags especially if you are starting out! You can research hashtags on google, Pinterest, Instagram itself. Here’s the thing though, you need to make sure your hashtags:

1. Are not overused
2. Target your ideal client
3. Correlate with your picture or caption

How many should I use?

Instagram allows you to use 30 hashtags on a post, and you should test to see which works best for your account. If you have more than 10K followers, your strategy will be different.

What kind should I use?

It depends on what you are trying to accomplish on your Instagram page. Here are the 5 of the 9 types of Instagram hashtag groups. I am going to use Business Coach as an example, but you can apply these hashtags to anything you are doing online.

1. Industry hashtags

These hashtags are specific to what you do & who you serve. #businesscoach has 3.3M posts which means this hashtag is oversaturated and as a business coach you may use it for time to time but in the grand scheme of things you want a STRATEGY & not just luck! Industry hashtags are great because it lets Instagram know what you are doing on Instagram, so there’s a chance you could be on the explore page for the hashtag.

2. Niche Hashtags

Time to get a bit more targeted. Niche allow you to get even more specific on what you are doing. #businesscoachforwomen has 176K posts. This means you have increased your likelihood to be found and it targets your ideal client!

3. Brand Hashtags

I have created a couple of hashtags for my brand #heyatag for people to get my attention if they go to location I have been & #strubeladventure for anything that has to do with our adventure in Germany. Brand hashtags are great for your content to be in one place. It is not a growth strategy, but a future strategy. As you grow it is great to have a place with your content.

4. Community Hashtags

These are hashtags that are used to connect with other creators that are doing what you do. If you are thinking, “why would I want to do that?” Let’s chat. Collaboration over competition ALL DAY. Someone doing the same thing as you does not mean they are competition. You can work together because there is room for all of us. Instagram communities are what make Instagram. Make sure when following these hashtags to show support to your fellow creators. #bossbabesociete is a hashtag for female entrepreneurs.

5. Location Hashtags

This allows you to be very specific with your hashtag allowing people to find you easier. #Sacramentobusinesscoach has fewer than 100 posts, so if you are a business coach looking to narrow the results utilizing your location.

Mixing these hashtags will be essential to your hashtag strategy.