Curious about whether or not you should be using a custom-branded hashtag for your business on Instagram?

The answer to that question is really, ‘it depends’…… super helpful I know!

In this blog post, I’ll break down the benefits of using a custom-branded hashtag for your business on Instagram and I guarantee you that you will have your answer by the end of our time together, ok? Ok!

What is a Custom Branded Hashtag?

First things first, what in the ‘hey is for horses’ is a custom branded hashtag? A custom branded hashtag on Instagram is a hashtag that is a unique identifier to or for your business! For example, mine would be #lattesforlunch – straight forward and matches my business name, easy peasy.

Your custom branded hashtag can also be a fun descriptor of your business! Instead of using a hashtag that directly relates to the name of your business ex #yourweddingplanner, you can choose a tag that will pique the interest of those who come across it and instead use something like #planningninja! If your business is centered around a community or following that you have built up, a custom branded hashtag can also be a tag used as a descriptor for that group, ex #communityovercompetition

What’s the benefit of creating a custom branded hashtag for your business on Instagram?

Behind door number one, a few amazing benefits await! Kidding, there is no door!

Having a custom branded hashtag for your business can be an amazing easy to use tool to have at your disposal. It adds an element of fun to your brand, and it is also a great tool for shareable content!!!

This new (or old) hashtag also serves as a touchpoint for your brand. End consumers need to experience your brand a total of at least seven times (the rule of seven) before committing to an action.

The end desired action could be anything like signing up for your mailing list, downloading your pricing guide, buying a product, or sending you an email that expresses interest in your services!

Having a custom branded hashtag in place that is highly visible to your ideal client helps to build your brand’s know, like, and trust factor!

Here’s my favorite reason – your custom branded hashtag can be used by your clients when showcasing the work that you have done for them!

If you finished up building a brand new website for the hottest cafe in town and they shared that excitement by dropping in your custom hashtag, #awesomewebdesign, they are now spreading your branding to their audience which increases your reach, your engagement, and oh YEAH – brand touchpoint!

Who is a custom branded hashtag for?

A custom branded hashtag can be for literally any business. 

It is especially effective for a business that has a visible product!! Keep in mind that your visible product doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical product. In other words – if you are a web designer, photographer, etc. you still have a visible end product that can be showcased to potential clients, though it cannot be ‘touched’ the same way a physical product can be touched.

A business selling physical products (handcrafted or boutique) should definitely have a custom branded hashtag! But, take care not to create multiple tags if you have multiple lines of product. The goal is brand recognition, not confusion.

If you are a shop that sells planners, jewelry, and mugs – do not create a custom hashtag for each singular product. I

Instead, think of the products as part of one cohesive line and create one custom branded hashtag! A tag that quickly identifies that the line ties back to your business!

As mentioned above, a custom branded hashtag is also effective for a business that is centered around a community or membership.

That gives the members the chance to readily and easily identify themselves on Instagram.

Where do you need to use your business’s custom hashtag?

Now that you have an idea of a custom branded hashtag that you’d like to use for your business, where does it go?

Anywhere and everywhere, sprinkle it around like confetti, throw your hashtags in the air like you just don’t care! Ahem…. What I really mean is let’s be strategic!

First, make a commitment to when and how this tag will be used on Instagram and other social media outlets. Every single feed post? Only at the arrival of new products/services? Just for your clients or community? On IGTV? (PS: there is no wrong answer here)

Once you have chosen your custom branded hashtag and you now have an idea of the type of content that it will be popping up under, the next stop is in your Instagram Bio.

Why?!

Hashtags in your Instagram bio are clickable. Don’t send your potential clients and followers away from your brand but instead to a bite-size portfolio of your brand.

If a potential client is lurking Instagram and comes across your bio and they can click the custom hashtag from within your which redirect them to a sort of mini portfolio that consists only of the content that you used the hashtag under.

This feels like a less invasive way for others to get to know your business. And they won’t have to scroll all the way back in your feed and feel like an Insta-Stalker.

Now that you have a scope of the benefits of using a custom-branded hashtag for your small business on Instagram, will you begin using one?

Ready to work 1:1 with an Instagram marketing strategist? Click the >> contact button << and let’s chat!