Are you wondering how to use hashtags on Instagram?
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Resources
Listen to Ep. 89: Building Authentic Connections with Kim Stewart
Listen to Ep. 87: Mastering Platform Consistency: The Key to Growing a Super Engaged Following
Listen to Ep. 85: 7 Online Marketing Tools for Entrepreneurs
Listen to Ep. 79: Strategies for Maximizing Your Instagram Live Views
How would you like to up your hashtag game? If you’ve ever wondered what is going on in the nebulous world of hashtags, you’ve come to the right place today. And, we’ll talk about what kind of topics to share on Instagram. All this and more, coming up on our monthly member Q&A episode where I answer podcast supporter’s questions. And if that sounds intriguing, stay tuned because I’ve got a hashtag resource you won’t want to miss!
How to use hashtags on Instagram (Member Q&A)
1. How do you get that “see post” sticker on a shared post?
From Pat Fenner @breakthroughhomeschooling
Here’s what she’s talking about – have you ever watched someone’s story that had a graphic on it? And when you tapped on that square graphic, a rectangle with the transparent words “see post” popped up? That’s because the person shared someone else’s feed post! So, If I share Pat’s feed post to my story and you view that story and you tap on it, a transparent “see post” sticker pops up. Then, when you tap on that sticker, it takes you to Pat’s feed post so you can read it! Make sense?
Instagram gives us fun little ways to interact and support one another like this! I usually like to go the extra mile and click the @mention sticker to tag the person so others can know that this photo belongs to Pat or whomever. It’s just nice to go the extra mile.
2. How narrow should your niche be on IG? Is there an ideal number of topics to stick to?
From Dawn @dawnklinge
Your niche doesn’t have to be super narrow, but you should have one over-arching topic. The more you do that the better off you are because it helps you to stand out. But before you go into a brain cramp, just know that another thing that makes you stand out is the variety of posts you share, and that’s where the topics Dawn mentioned comes into play. There is no set number of topics – you can have anywhere from 5-9, some experts even say up to 12!
I don’t advocate having that many because you could be super all over the map. However, you could have 5 topics and then subtopics. I personally have 7 and it’s a challenge to keep up with them. However, just know that in some seasons – like a podcast launch for example AHEM – you may only use a handful of your topics and not hit on all of them. Some people have monthly topics, which I’ve seen that work quite nicely. It kind of helps your audience to associate what you’re teaching that way.
For instance, my topics are:
Instagram education
My coaching services or other Instagram products like my Authentic Instagram Engagement Course or my new Go live Jumpstart Kit
Testimonies
My faith
Personal – family, marriage
Travel – although that’s pretty sparse lately
Funny Quotes on mid-life
The main thing is – remember to be real and share the person behind the account frequently – in stories, in the feed, in IGTV, and by going live. Change it up! Don’t’ share your product in every single post – that’s the surest way to deaden your audience. Use variety and jot down a few topics you can share.
3. I’d like to know how to use hashtags on Instagram
From Meg Gleesner @Lettersfromhomepodcast
First, go for the hashtags under 100,000 posts so you’ll have a chance to show up at the top of the hashtag hub. Under 10,000 is even better. More on this later.
Secondly, make sure some of your hashtags relate to your photo, even if that’s not what you’re caption is about. Instagram is cracking down even more on this.
This is how they determine your photo or gra
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