In a previous blog post, we explained how Twitter and Twitter hashtags are an important part of online marketing strategies. In this post, we’ll discuss a specific way that Twitter and its hashtags can help your business succeed. One of the most effective ways to use Twitter is by using Twitter hashtags to generate leads for your business.
Why Use Hashtags to Generate Leads?
As of February 1, 2017, Twitter announced that it would no longer create lead generation campaigns. According to a Twitter report, the network intends “to focus [their] efforts on building and improving other performance offerings that will help [them] drive the best performance for advertisers.”
While lead generation campaigns are not currently available, the best solution is to use strategic hashtags instead. By simply using hashtags, you are going to generate twice as much engagement as you would without one. The reason is that a hashtag allows for users to discover your content without even knowing it’s there.
As mentioned earlier, using any hashtag at all is better than not using one because doing so multiplies the chances of your post getting discovered. But the best way to use a hashtag is not just to throw up random ones on a post. Rather you want to use hashtags that are both relevant and trending.
How Can I Use Hashtags to Generate Leads for My Business?
- Research Trending Keywords. Before inserting hashtags into your posts, you want to be sure to research trending keywords that are relevant to your business or post. Doing so increases the likelihood that people will discover your post. The more relevant and trending your hashtag is, the more likely that post will generate a lead.
The most common way to do this is to go to Twitter’s homepage and view the trends for that moment. This is a great way to know what general trends are occurring in the moment you are viewing the page. Twitter actually tailors which hashtags you see on your Twitter followers and engagement. So, be sure you are following brands similar to you or people whom the people you follow may be interested in.
- Use Hashtags to Reach Your Target Audience. Don’t simply research trending keywords and use whatever is trending in general as your hashtag. While general visibility is a positive thing, it is much better to research the keywords that are relevant to your business or industry.
To find hashtags that are more geared towards your target audience, you’ll need to go a bit further than looking through “trending hashtags” on Twitter. There are several helpful apps and tools you can use to dig a little deeper. One great tool is Trendsmap. This tool lets you research trending hashtags by location so that you can keep a pulse on what’s going on around you and use that information to inform your posts. Another helpful tool is Sprout Social. This company offers a report that shows trending hashtags that are associated with your brand already. Their “Trends Report“ analyzes all of your incoming messages and shows which hashtags are trending with your personal brand,” according to Sprout Social.
- Use Hashtags to Connect with Similar Businesses. Not only can you use hashtags to allow people to discover you and your posts, but you can also use them to do your own research. YourStory explains, “If you click on the trending hashtags pertaining to your industry, you will be able to find a good number of influencers and prospects belonging to the same niche. A good way to increase your reach is to follow these influencers – there is a great chance that some of the might follow you back.”
By following key influencers, you will not only be able to have regular insight into what others like you are doing, but you will also be able to shape the hashtags you’re seeing. (Remember, Twitter tailors the Trending Hashtags topic for you so that you will see hashtags that are seemingly important to you, based on who you are following and the type of content you post.
Once you are using hashtags more strategically, your posts will be reaching more of the right people, naturally increasing leads to your business along the way. Researching trending hashtags and using them properly can be a bit challenging, but with practice and proper guidance, you’ll be on the right track to Twitter marketing in no time.
If you would like to learn more about using Twitter hashtags to generate leads for your business, we at VisionPATH Marketing can help! We offer free consultations and are happy to help you evaluate your business and social media strategy in order to help you get the most out of your online marketing.
