For those of you who think Hashtags are just for your teenage kids, I’ll begin by defining what a hashtag is and how to effectively use hashtags on LinkedIn.
First, it is a designator, added to an article or post that identifies the topic. On LinkedIn, you can search for a hashtag to join a conversation based on common topics or interests.
For example, if my post or article’s core topic is about automation in financial services, then at the end of my text I would simply add #fintech #AI which designates what the post is about. I could add several hash tags which elevates my post in terms of getting found by multiple search engines.
Create hashtags for your personal brand eg. #Trevisan. What is your expertise? What are you known for? Never post to LinkedIn now sans hashtag as your post will pretty much disappear into a black hole.
How to Incorporate Hashtags into Your LinkedIn Marketing
Because hashtags are searchable, they are great for finding posts and articles with a core topic that you have an expertise in. This would give you the opportunity to see who is talking about your topic and second, this is an opportunity for you to comment on and share posts where you can add your unique perspective and value.
Before you start using hashtags, do some research. A good place to start is to look at posts from other leaders in your niche and see what they are using. You can extend this research to Twitter if you’re really time rich. I would advise keeping a note of your commonly used hastags using One Note or TextExpander. Using hashtags is invaluable for lead generation/
To find new hashtags to follow:
1. Enter the hashtag you’d like to find in the Search bar at the top of the page. For example: #impactinvestment. Select an option from the drop-down of suggestions that appears as you type.
• You can also click See all results for “#hashtag” and then select Content from the drop-down at the top right of the page to view posts that mention the hashtag.
Click the Follow button to follow the hashtag – you can then track people and posts for that hashtag.
Adding a Hashtag to Your Post
When you want to create a post from the home page tab, as you type the topic, LinkedIn’s algorithm offers suggestions based on the content for possible hashtags. This offers you relevant suggestions on hashtags LinkedIn tracks, so this is a good idea to click on them and they will add to the end of your post. I recommend after adding the ones LinkedIn suggests, add any others that you have researched.
Managing the Hashtags You Follow
Once you’ve followed a hashtag, you’ll be able to manage it from your LinkedIn homepage.
To manage the hashtags, you follow:
1. Click the Dropdown icon next to Hashtags you follow on the left hand side of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Click See all at the bottom of the list of hashtags.
If you’d like to unfollow a hashtag, click Following below the hashtag you’d like to unfollow. If you change your mind, click Follow to begin following the hashtag again.
You can also pin your favorite hashtags for quick access by clicking the Edit icon next to Your communities on the left rail of your LinkedIn homepage. In the pop-up window that appears, click the Pin icon next to a hashtag you’re following to select it.
Managing Hashtags in Your Newsfeed Preferences
Improve your LinkedIn feed by discovering new content and customizing your feed preferences. You can follow / unfollow people, companies and hashtags for topics you’re interested in from desktop and the LinkedIn mobile app.
Add Hashtags to Your LinkedIn Comments
I suggest using 1-10 hashtags in your engagement strategy with a comment but not 30 – it’s not Instagram!
Hashtags in Groups
When creating a post in a LinkedIn group it makes perfect sense to add a hashtag to your post. Because hashtags are searchable, your post inside a group can be found so why not leverage it!
Hashtag Tools/Resources
Hashtagify.me – For checking out the popularity of a hashtag and uncover influencers that are using them.
All Hashtag – Does what it says on the box – find all related and popular tags around a keyword
For bespoke social media marketing advice to take full advantage of the opportunities available to you via #LinkedIn, schedule an initial phone consultation here:
