5 Ways to Leverage Hashtags in Your Press Releases
Hashtags can play a key role in the success of your press releases. As part of your content marketing strategy and your overarching marketing strategy, hashtags help increase awareness. They can also brand your business, drive traffic, and capture the attention of key media people. Choosing the best hashtags to use in your press release can take a bit of patience. Be strategic about it. Test and track your efforts for the best results.
#1 Events
Hashtag the name of the event in your press release. For example, #yourwebinarnamehere. Or #yourcharityfundraiserhere. By hashtaging the name of the event, you bring awareness to the event, you brand it, and you make it easier to find your information online. Additionally, make sure that your other event marketing efforts also use that same hashtag. For example, photos from the event should be tagged on Instagram and Facebook. Content about the event and emails can also be tagged.
#2 Trending Topics
If your news is relevant, then capitalize on trending topics to build your audience. You might even plan your press releases around potential trends. For example, National Dog Day received an abundance of tagged content. Any pet business would be smart to plan content and press releases in advance and to capitalize on the #nationaldogday hashtag.
#3 Keywords
Use common search keywords as hashtags. For example, if you’re posting a press release about a new study you’re releasing on knee surgery you might use the hashtag #kneepain #kneesurgery to ensure you’re attracting the people who will be interested in your information and actively searching for it.
#4 Names
If your organization has recognizable names either on staff or affiliated with your business, use them in your press release. Quote these people and include their names as hashtags. For example, #marthastewart. Keep in mind that you should only hashtag names if they are relevant to your business and you won’t be infringing on anyone’s rights.
#5 Location
Location hashtags can be useful if you are trying to attract the local media or a local audience. For example, if your business or business news is in Austin, Texas you might use the hashtag #AustinTexas or #AustinTX. It helps the media find you and it brands your business as a local one.
Finally, don’t hesitate to create your own hashtags. Get creative. You can really strengthen and build a brand when you have some fun with your hashtags. And you never know what might catch on. Hashtags are a simple yet powerful way to get more traction for your press release marketing efforts.
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