If you’re a manufacturer, you may wonder if social media is an important part of your marketing plan. It absolutely is, but are hashtags important, too? Ruby Rusine, President of Social Success Marketing, led an awesome chat covering this topic.
Q1. How important are hashtags to your company on platforms that actively use it?
Here are some of the responses:
Dave Meyer @dave1meyer with BizzyWeb: Hashtags are helpful, but only when properly used. The conventional wisdom says that LinkedIn only looks at the first 3 hashtags in any given post. Test and measure what’s working for you. A/B tests are your friend. Tracy St. Clair with Integrated Logistics Services replied, “I agree Dave on the 3-hashtag limit.”
Tracy @IntegratedLogi5 “Hashtags help narrow the search of what you are looking for. They show all the posts associated. Just like #USAMfgHour”
Nigel T Packer – Digital Customer Experience @NigelTPacker, President of Pelatis , All social media platforms use #hashtags as a way of collating information relating to the subject of the hashtag. They help people to find relevant, timely information from broadcasters.
Host Ruby’s answer: Hashtags are crucial for our social media presence on platforms like [platform name(s)]. They help us achieve two key goals:
-Increase Discoverability
-Market Research
Q2. How can I find relevant hashtags for the manufacturing industry?
Dave: Interestingly, AI can be helpful in finding good hashtags on your topics. SEMRush and Google has great input on keywords too – and of course the trending spots in each network.
Nigel: There are a number of websites that give trends in hashtags. It has a new title of “Hashtag analytics”. Search online will reveal many of these apps, mostly paid services.
Host Ruby’s answer: Here are several ways to find relevant hashtags for manufacturing:
• Social media platform search
• Competitor research
• Hashtag research tools
• Industry publications and events
Q3. What are some things to consider when choosing hashtags for manufacturing content?
Kirsten Austin from DCSC commented that sometimes it looks silly if a corporate profile on X has loads of hashtags. Dave Meyer agreed, “I agree—especially in profiles. Participate or refer to hashtags, but unless you have a specific reason or conversation that you’re actively inviting people into, no hashtags on profiles.”
Dave: My rules of thumb: 1) Relevant 2) Unique 3) Memorable/legible Host Ruby of Social Success Marketing replied, “Love this, Dave!”
Tracy: with Integrated Logistics Services : I have to go with focusing on low to medium-volume hashtags because you do not want one too busy, or you run the risk of attracting bots.
Host Ruby’s answer: Here are some key factors to consider:
• Search Volume/Popularity
• Relevance
• Competition
Q4. Are there any best practices for using hashtags in manufacturing social media posts?
Dave: One thing is to remember to keep it relevant without getting too deep in jargon. We all have very specific terms in manufacturing, but most times our audiences don’t know what we’re talking about without context
Nigel: What will your potential customers type? Will they use social media to research? Do they use Search in social media? These are questions you need to ask before preparing your content and hashtags. P.S. Search in X can reveal many opportunities. Ruby replied to Nigel, “This one is a good tool to find out what people are searching for: Answer the Public Of course, Google’s People Also Ask and search console are good ones to use as well
Amy.M.Anderson @snippetsbyAmy: Glad I found a minute to check out #USAMfgHour on #Hashtags! So important, so easily misunderstood, and, like most things digital, always evolving!
Host Ruby’s answer: Here are some additional tips for effective hashtag use:
• Don’t overdo it: Don’t add too many hashtags in a single post.
• Vary your hashtags: Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags.
• Incorporate them naturally.
• Track and analyze.
• Use a mix of evergreen and trending hashtags: Evergreen hashtags are popular all year round (e.g., #manufacturing), while trending hashtags capitalize on current events (e.g., #mfgday)
Q5. How can hashtags help me connect with a manufacturing audience beyond just increasing visibility?
Dave: Basically, hashtags are a way to eavesdrop on the conversations your prospects, customers and interested audiences are having. Search for the good tags and jump in on the convo. Nigel replied, “Dave, there is a fundamental instinct in humans to eavesdrop others conversations. This is why conversations work so well on social media.”
Nigel: Joining chat hours like #USAMfgHour is a great way to network. #USAMfgHour is a weekly get together that gets read far beyond those who participate. P.S. Hosting is a great way to demonstrate skills and get more followers, expanding your network. Have you tried hosting? Get in touch
Host Ruby’s answer: Hashtags can be powerful tools to go beyond just increasing visibility with a manufacturing audience. Here’s how they can help you connect and engage:
• Targeted Conversations: Relevant hashtags act like meeting rooms for specific interests within manufacturing.
• Community Building: Engage with others’ posts using your target hashtags.
• Industry Trends & Insights: Following popular manufacturing hashtags allows you to stay updated on current discussions, challenges, and innovations.
• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition: Use hashtags to find skilled workers.
• Brand Advocacy: Encourage customers and partners to use your branded hashtag when sharing positive experiences.
Ruby left us with an excellent resource to bookmark on her company’s Web Site, B2B Quick Guide: Do hashtags work? How to use it, why use it and how many?
About #USAMfgHour
Anyone who champions U.S. manufacturing can join in on a new conversation each week on X (Formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #USAMfgHour. The chat starts at 1 CT every Thursday. Please stop by to share positive blog posts, helpful articles, news, important information, accomplishments, events, and more with other manufacturers and supporters from throughout the country.
