Eimer Duffy is a Social Media Consultant and Trainer at FIT Social Media. Through bespoke solutions, Eimer helps Funeral Directors and Celebrants gain a better online presence, build communities and trust online with zero stress and hassle in a short space of time. She also co-hosts the only social media for business radio show in Ireland called “The Let’s Get Social Show” every Friday at 2pm on Dublin South FM and the show is on podcast too. Check out www.fitsocialmedia.ie to learn more.
To Hashtag or not to Hashtag that is the question… I
was asked the other week “What are hashtags?” “Can they help my Funeral business grow online?” These are great questions and I have added a few more that might help when it comes to using hashtags. What are hashtags? “A word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media websites and applications” is the definition on Google. So what are they for? They are topic or theme led eg: #Funerals #FuneralHome #FuneralDirectors, you add the hash sign to the front of a word or joined up phrase on a social media post.
32 | FuneralTimes
When you type a hashtag on a desktop computer or laptop then the wording goes blue and if you type it on a mobile then the wording goes embolded. The hashtag then becomes a clickable link (hyperlinked). So when you click that hashtag you will see all the posts that have used that particular hashtag. So in other words, any post that has added a particular hashtag to the caption will be found inside what I call a “hyperlinked bucket”. Why use them? Here are some benefits of using hashtags: • They increase your organic reach by being searchable as some people will come across your post who might not have found you any other way. • Another opportunity to attract new followers. • Use them as a monitoring and social listening tool to keep track of what people are commenting, posting and industry related news etc… • Helps you specify your niche and what you do. You can follow hashtags (eg: Instagram) and then see in your newsfeed what is showing up for that hashtag. • Type a hashtag you want to research (for your hashtag research) in the search bar of any of the social media channels and find top posts, recent posts, new content ideas, new accounts you want to follow and engage with as the business etc..
