
What are Hashtags? How to Use this Simple Marketing Tool
by boxwell/March 3, 2022
- brenda@boxwell.co
What exactly are hashtags? At one point, we have all asked that question. To some, it’s honestly still a mystery. There is a pound sign (#) placed before a word or phrase, such as #BeBoxwell or #SelfStorage. But what do these hashtags mean?
To put it simply, a hashtag is a marketing tool to use within social media posts. You choose where you want to put the focus on your post. And you create a hashtag with it. Think about what is the most important message you want to deliver. How do you want to connect with your audience? #UnderstandingHashtags
Chris Messina invented the hashtag in 2007 with his post on Twitter:
“HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT USING # (POUND) FOR GROUPS. AS IN #BARCAMP?”
When you add a hashtag to your post on social media it is indexed and becomes searchable (and discoverable) by other people. Hashtags are a quick and easy way for people to find your material online. With so many posts on social media, it can be hard to find the ones you want to read and the people who discuss topics that interest you. Enter hashtags.
When someone searches a particular term, your hashtagged post will pop up along with other posts using that hashtag. This is great tool for boosting your brand and messaging. Plus, you can grow your audience beyond your typical followers.

We really like the following article from FineView Marketing, which digs into how to use hashtags when marketing your storage facility.
Give Your Social Media Marketing a Boost with Hashtags
Written by Marian Otong
When it comes to promoting your brand on social media, hashtags are a marketing staple to help your business reach more people and to help users find posts about specific content.
What is a hashtag?
A hashtag is a word or keyword phrase, preceded by a hash symbol (#). It’s used on social media sites to make it easier to find information with a theme or specific content. When using a phrase or name as a hashtag, spell it out without spaces like #FineViewMarketing or #onlinestoragerental. It can be placed in the beginning, middle, or end of your post or comment. Using a hashtag allows your post to be indexed by the social media network you’re using and located by people who are not followers.
What is the purpose of a hashtag?
Hashtags enable people to cut through digital chaos and find your content. Using relevant hashtags drives traffic to your content so that you can boost views, likes, and shares. The key is finding the right hashtags to match your content and appeal to your audience.
What is the best way to design your hashtag strategy?
A successful hashtag strategy starts with knowing your audience and understanding what works on each individual platform. Choosing specific hashtags is more likely to attract your target audience and using capital letters in front of each word clarifies your message.
