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LinkedIn hashtags were first implemented on the site in 2018. Since then, they’ve been successfully used as tools by companies and professionals to expand online connections and broaden their reach.
But correctly using hashtags isn’t as simple as it might seem. There are certain practices everyone needs to be aware of to extract the most value out of these special symbols.
If you want to make the most of your #, here’s everything you need to know about how to use hashtags to their full potential.
What Are LinkedIn Hashtags?
Like Instagram or Facebook, LinkedIn hashtags are phrases or words that start with the symbol “#,” such as #Business, #Marketing, or #CircularEconomy. They are typically popular buzzwords or words associated closely with the user’s line of business.
Using LinkedIn hashtags is a simple way to participate in the business networking culture of LinkedIn and attract more visitors to your business profile at the same time. LinkedIn hashtags also help to categorize content on the site – users can filter through specific topics by following certain hashtags.
These small but mighty symbols are typically inserted at the end of a text post, status update, or article in order to become more discoverable and attuned to LinkedIn trends.
What Are The Benefits Of Using LinkedIn Hashtags For Your Brand?
There are many benefits to incorporating LinkedIn hashtags into your brand growth strategy. If your brand’s LinkedIn profile is struggling to hit its monthly growth metrics, leveraging hashtags could be the key to unlocking better performance.
Here are some of the main benefits of using LinkedIn hashtags:
1. It makes it easier for clients to find you
If a potential client is looking to hire an excellent marketing brand, they might filter down their search using a #Marketing hashtag. Many LinkedIn users search for jobs, clients, and associates using the hashtag tool, which means you and your brand should be using it if it wants to throw its name in the hat.
2. Grows your network
When you know how to use hashtags on LinkedIn, it connects you to all the other brands and profiles with similarly aligned values and interests.
Online networking has become an essential part of contemporary business growth methods, and hashtags are one of the simplest and most effective ways to achieve it.
3. Keeps you up to date with business trends
You can tell a lot about what’s trending and what’s popular in your industry by following hashtags. Popular hashtags come and go like trends, but they always reveal something about the mood of the business world. By following and using hashtags, you enable your brand to stay current.
How To Use Hashtags On LinkedIn In Different Ways
You might be wondering where the best place is to insert hashtags on LinkedIn. Well, the answer is that there are several places. You don’t have to limit your hashtags to one place. You have options:
In a LinkedIn article
Weaving a couple of hashtags into your LinkedIn articles (if your brand posts them, which it should) can be an attractive and effective way to increase readability and promote the concepts, products, or brands of your choosing.
In a LinkedIn status update
For a quick yet efficient way to bulk up visibility levels, you can add a few hashtags to the end of your LinkedIn status updates.
On your LinkedIn profile
One of the best ways to incorporate LinkedIn hashtags is to add them to your “Talks About” section on your profile. You could add hashtags like #Ecommerce, #CreativeAdvertising, or #DigitalSustainability to showcase your interests and boost visibility.
Knowing where to post your LinkedIn hashtags is just as important as knowing why you use them in the first place. But before you start working on a hashtag-heavy social media strategy, let’s move on to the next section, where we discuss some best (and worst) hashtag practices to be aware of.
LinkedIn Hashtag Do’s And Don’ts To Boost Performance
Like most things in life, there are good and bad ways to go about using LinkedIn hashtags. Or rather, effective and ineffective ways. To get the most out of your brand, here are some classic “do’s” to embrace:
Do diversify your hashtags
It’s good to have a balance of popular, trending hashtags and then some more niche ones. Variety is a good approach to LinkedIn hashtags.
Do create a company hashtag
Creating a hashtag for your brand’s name is a great way to get people talking about it online. You can also create a short phrase hashtag to use as well.
Do use location-based hashtags
Hashtag trends vary depending on location. Find out which ones are popular in your area and use them to attract local clients.
Do research your competitor’s hashtags
Check the hashtags that other brands are using. This will give you a better idea of what kind of content your target market is interested in reading about.
You can also search hashtags to find out how many times they have been used. The more prevalent, the better.
Now that you know some of the best ways to implement and execute LinkedIn hashtags, let’s look at some common mistakes people make in this area and how you can avoid them.
Don’t hashtag every word
#Hashtagging #Every #Word #Reads #Uncomfortably. Instead, complete your sentences normally and add your hashtags at the end of your posts.
Don’t use too many hashtags
Even though LinkedIn doesn’t put a limit on how many hashtags you can use, you should refrain from adding too many. 3-10 is considered the happy medium.
Don’t use punctuation
There’s no need to punctuate the end of your hashtag phrases. Simply add the hashtag and leave it be. #Easy
Don’t forget to check for other uses of your hashtag
If you create a unique company hashtag or a hashtag for a specific campaign, make sure it isn’t being used elsewhere first. You don’t want to create a message that has a different meaning or is already being shared by someone else.
How To Use LinkedIn Hashtags For Employee Advocacy
In addition to knowing how to use hashtags on LinkedIn, you need to teach your employees how to use them to benefit your brand too.
Employee advocacy can play a significant role in driving hiring, marketing, and sales. And on LinkedIn, this type of advocacy not only attracts new talent but also creates B2B connections that are not always likely on other social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
By creating a LinkedIn employee advocacy strategy using hashtags, your employees become micro-influencers for your brand. However, once again, it’s not all about just adding a # in front of a few words and hoping for a boost in engagement. You need to follow clear and concise steps to build an employee advocacy strategy that’s best suited to this platform.
To maximize the potential of hashtags and a LinkedIn employee advocacy program, you can do the following:
1. Set strategy goals
Do you want to attract and nurture prospects? Or is your focus more on building trust and fostering long-term relationships? Determine this upfront and choose hashtags that are purpose-driven. This will motivate your employees to reach goals and to be part of the process.
2. Start with already-active employees
If you have employees that are already actively using LinkedIn for recruitment, growth, or marketing, incorporate your hashtags into their strategy rather than vice-versa. Employee advocacy programs built on enthusiasm and authenticity are the most successful. By working in tandem with employees who are already active, you’ll reinforce this feeling and create a natural link.
3. Create clear policies
You can use our dos and don’ts as a starting point for your policy, but it’s also important to clarify what’s acceptable and what’s not. While you don’t want to discourage employees from posting, you need to ensure that they’re empowered with the correct information and guidelines. Create a playbook or guidelines that everyone has access to at all times.
4. Offer training and upskilling
The ability to engage and interact with an audience on social media is a valuable skill. Training your employees not only benefits your business but also improves their skillset. This will create a favorable impression with potential new hires who are looking for a business or brand that’s interested in a lot more than just their bottom line.
Feeling #Overwhelmed? Clearview Social Can Help
Keeping up with the constantly evolving tools and trends of the digital business age is not easy. Fortunately, Clearview Social can help. Our employee advocacy platform is dedicated to providing businesses with the guidance and experience they need to take their social media strategies to the next level.
With Clearview Social, your brand can develop a succinct and high-performing LinkedIn hashtag campaign and provide you with the resources needed to increase exposure and boost online revenue through various other channels.
Ready to get started hashtagging your way to better brand exposure and increased audience engagement? Request a free demo today.