#LifeatDolben certainly got more
interesting when we started utilizing social media sites such as Facebook,
Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and Twitter to reach our residents, prospects,
and really anyone who follows our posts. Whether it is politics, TV shows,
celebrity gossip, sports, the NAA conference, or anything in between, hashtags
are everywhere! The term was even added
to the Oxford Dictionary back in 2010. While some of you may be social media
rock stars, let’s bring it back to basics and first explain what a hashtag is.
A hashtag looks like the pound
signal on your phone: # It’s a way to label content, identify a topic, or
contribute to a conversation. It helps people find content on a topic they
might be interested in or that they are posting about, too. Hashtags have
become integral parts of major news stories, too. A popular one this month is #marchmadness which
already has 761,594 posts on Instagram using that hashtag. Because that hashtag is so popular, it would
be considered a “trending” topic.
Anyone can share content on a topic
and add a hashtag to their message. If you were to take a picture of yourself
at your desk and post it on Facebook right now, you could hashtag it #OfficeSelfie or #HardatWork
. Hashtagging is simple, but there’s some definite do’s and don’ts you should
follow:
DO:
- ~
Keep it simple. Especially on Twitter
where character count is limited, don’t create a long hashtag. #ShortandSweet
-
~ Make it something easy to remember!
Market Place at Fells Point uses the hashtag #LiveMarketplace
on their Instagram photos. Residents could post pictures on their own social
media sites with that hashtag and then it can be shared or explored by many
others
- ~
Be specific! Kensington at
Chelmsford uses their entire name as the hashtag because there are several
other “Kensington” related posts out there such as #kensingtongarden
or #kensingtonmarket
-
~Use multiple hashtags of a similar
topic to reach a wider audience. Say you posted a picture of #TomBrady during the #SuperBowl
– you could also put the hashtags #football
#champions #SuperBowlChamps #QB or any other related word or phrase
- ~
Make it relevant – Stockbridge Court
does a great job on their Facebook posts with relevant topics and hashtags.
When it was time for Daylight Savings, they posted a picture with the hashtag #SpringForward . Even something as simple as on a
Friday posting #HappyFriday keeps their
posts relevant and engaging.
- ~
Create your own! Maybe your property
is having their summer BBQ and created a photo booth for residents to use. Have
them use a unique hashtag to document the photos such as #SummeratSettlersLanding or #PineBrookPoolParty
DON’T:
- ~
Use spaces! Hashtags are one
continuous thought. To separate words, use a mix of upper and lower case
letters! #LifeatDolben #ApartmentsforRent #TeamDolben
or #FloorPlanoftheWeek are all examples
of multiple word hashtags with no spaces
-
~Use a non-relevant hashtag to get
attention. If you post a picture of your misspelled name on your coffee from
Starbucks and use the hashtag #MarchMadness,
you’re really not contributing to what the hashtag is intended for, although
that is a whole other kind of madness! What you could post instead would be #WrongName #GetItRightStarbucks
- ~
Don’t hashtag every single word in
your posts! #It #Looks #Sloppy (Example of what not to do!)
How can you use hashtags at your
property? Start simple! A popular
hashtag is #MotivationalMonday – post an
inspirational quote on Monday morning to your property’s Facebook page followed
by that hashtag and you’re on your way! Has your property recently done some
renovations or upgrades? Post a side-by-side comparison photo on a Thursday and
use the hashtag #tbt (Stands for
“Throwback Thursday”) and say something like “ #tbt
to when our kitchens were all white. Check out our newly upgraded kitchens with
all stainless steel appliances! #ShinyandNew
“ Maybe on a Friday you post a picture of a floor plan you’re trying to market.
Detail out all of the features and then use the hashtag #FloorplanFriday
Still unsure? Have a laugh and watch
Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake hash it out while you think of some hashtags
you can use at your property:
What hashtags do you currently use
at your property or which ones can you start using on your social media sites?
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