We are often asked questions about social media and the one question that comes up again and again is hastags. #. When and how to use them. When used correctly, hashtags can be an effective way to grow your reach, encourage engagement, and get discovered on Twitter. So, before you do your next Tweet, Twitter schedule or your final preparation for your next show or event, here are some key tips to consider.

Do:

• Make it easy to remember and spell - Don’t leave room for possible typos, which will make your Tweet undiscoverable.
• Be realistic - Don’t expect people to start using your brand slogan or other one-sided hashtags in their Tweets if it doesn’t fit naturally and there is no incentive for them to do so.
• Do your research - Check and see what hashtags people are already using when talking about your brand and capitalise on those. Also, make sure to check if your desired hashtag is already being used. If so, ask yourself if it's still relevant to your brand.
• Give people a reason to use your hashtag - Whether it’s an actual prize or just recognition in the form of a Retweet, your audience will respond better when it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.
• Partner with influencers/organisations - Influencers and organisations can help gain exposure and visibility for your hashtag.

Do Not:

• Over hashtag - Two to three relevant hashtags per Tweet is the sweet spot. But if you’re doing a show/event, five should be the max. Remember: character count matters.
• Expect your brand slogan to translate to a hashtag - A hashtag is meant to be inclusive, shareable, and discoverable. If it doesn’t organically fit within a Tweet, it'll feel forced and lose its intended purpose.
• Expect people to use your hashtag without a reason or incentive - The best hashtags have the ability to draw people in and invoke curiosity to explore and join in on the conversation.
• Neglect to educate on what it is and how to use it - Make sure you're clearly communicating the hashtag and more importantly, why someone would want to include it in their own Tweet.
• Use all CAPS LOCK - Unless it’s an acronym, this feels like shouting and also adds unnecessary work.