This is the sixth installment of KISSMIF: Keep it Simple, Social Media is Fun!
I shared in KISSMIF #5 how I have enjoyed the Social Media Examiner’s podcasts.
We listened to one called How to Boost Your Content with Social Media.
From this podcast, I gathered the following information:
Frequency of sharing your posts on social media in the first 24 hours:
- Facebook: share only once on the first 24 hours; only 2-3 times in the first week; vary the way you do it.
- Twitter: share 3-4 times in the first 24 hours; use hashtags, don’t completely fill up your feed with retweets and replies
- Pinterest and Instagram: share the image one time within 24 hours;
*Use Pinterest for followers that are middle age or older
*Use Instagram for followers that are younger - LinkedIn: post a short content link to your profile or long form blog post in the first 24 hours
- Google+: post a content link to your profile and/or communities in first 24 hours
There is much more information in the podcast; so if you have time, listen to it!
Social Media and the Use of Hashtags:
I also talked about how much I have enjoyed Peg Fitzpatrick’s posts in KISSMIF #5.
She recently wrote a post entitled The Philosophy of a Hashtag Strategy.
She talks about why you should use hashtags, what kind of hashtags you should use, hallmarks of successful hashtags, different tools you can use to find good hashtags, and how many hashtags to use on each social media platform.
From her post, I made up this picture so you can easily see how many hashtags you could be using on each different social media website.
Read her post to learn how many hashtags she uses for each social media platform.
I am often sharing news about Facebook and Pinterest, yet this year every blogger who blogs as a business should focus on Instagram.
Here is some information about how Instagram is growing:
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Instagram’s interactions to followers ratio is 30 times greater than that of other major social networks.
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On Instagram, raking in only a handful of likes and comments is a rarity; only 10% of Instagram photos and 6% of Instagram videos receive 10 or fewer interactions. Again, compare that to Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and LinkedIn, where well more than half of all posts receive fewer than 10 interactions (73%, 60%, 65%, and 68%, respectively).
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Instagram also has the highest percentage of viral content (posts with greater than 250 interactions); overall, 49% of Instagram pictures and 60% of Instagram videos get that level of engagement.
Quotes are taken from Everything Marketers Need To Know About Instagram Sponsored Content
All the experts are saying Instagram is now mainstream and must be utilized correctly.
Here are a couple of Instagram tips:
- Hashtags are a must! You can use up to 30, but it is recommended that you use less than 7. At least one hashtag averaged 12.6% more engagement.
- You can tag others on Instagram (sometimes that doesn’t work well on other forms of social media). Posts that include another user handle in the caption received 56% more engagement than those that didn’t.
- You can use ScheduGram to schedule posts to Instagram! I love these scheduling tools, like the free extension I shared for Google Plus on KISSMIF #5.
Do you love Instagram? You can follow Thinking Outside the Sandbox on Instagram HERE!
Stay tuned for more Social Media News!
If you find more social media or blogging news that would be perfect for these posts let us know.
Thank you Tammy! I love these tips!
Thanks, I’m glad they were helpful!
Great tips! I try to use hashtags as much as possible. I usually end up making my own up… which defeats the purpose… lol. I will definitely be working on this more with my social media accounts.
I like reading some of the unique/humorous hashtags; but I guess they aren’t very searchable.
Thanks Tammy for sharing such awesome tips about social media! I am in the process of learning the power of using hash tags and exactly why they are so important in social media.
I would find it interesting to hear what you learn! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I’ve just recently started using hashtags more often, as it was rare for me to do so before. I seem to be connecting to a lot of people and getting way more attention than I did in the past, strangely enough from people I don’t know. It’s been eye opening to say the least. Some people use hashtags as a way to get a final word in on how they’re feeling at the moment; I think that’s a waste of time but to each his own right?
It’s so good to hear that it is helping you connect to others. I agree, some people use hashtags for different reasons that are probably not very effective.
I love instagram but not really good at it yet. I have a hard time thinking of hashtags unless they are brand provided. I’ve got to get better at this. My word, if I had to think of 30, I’d never get a post out! my goal is to increase the number of relevant hashtags and shares as you suggested.
What kind of success have you had using this formula?
Well, Instagram is not my strongest social media. I just got a smart phone a couple of months ago, so I am getting better. I just research different social media blogs and news, and compile information for these posts to help other bloggers out so they don’t have to look all over for the information. I have read that if you consistently share a couple of posts a day to Instagram, that it will help your growth considerably. So I think that is what I will try to do. 30 hashtags is crazy! We would never get any blogging done.
I do not have an Instagram account yet, but you are peaking my interest! Thanks for the info!
I think it is wise to do a couple of social media very well before you add another one in.
These are great tips; thank you for sharing! I’ve never used Instagram but have considered it (our blog is used for our business) but it seems as though most of our followers and clients are not on it (most of them are age 35+). Now I’m wondering if I should open an account and give it a whirl just to see how it goes?
I haven’t really used hashtags much on Facebook, but I will now and see if/how they change our stats. Thank you for the info and ideas!
I don’t use hashtags much on Facebook either. Instagram is good to have if you want to do sponsored posts, because many of the companies want you to share a post to Instagram.
Love these tips for instagram!!!! I need to get an account set up asap. Thanks
Let me know how it goes and what your profile name is so I can follow you!
Super tips on using social media. I especially like the notes/tips on using hash tags. Hope you enjoy the commentathon.
Thank you so much. It is fun meeting “new-to-me” bloggers!
Thank you for the tips. These are going to be very useful for me to promote my blog.
I am so glad that you are able to use them.
Great tips! I need to learn how to better use hashtags! Thanks for sharing!
Miss–
Wonderful! We are always learning.
Oh gosh! This is very informative and I just can’t understand why I keep putting my IG account aside. Now I should pay more attention to my feed and start growing my following too. I have heard of bloggers growing their IG community and it helps them a lot. There’s indeed more to Instagram than just photos
I have read of many doing very well too. I need to focus on it more as well.
Interesting information. Most people are visual, so it is no surprise that Instagram is on the rise. It was doing well with growth until the Facebook takeover. A lot of users left. But as we know, millions returned. So its nice to see things are back in the upswing.
I am confused though by the no hashtags on Pinterest. Why is that? There are a ton of people who use Pinterest and many books who have suggested using Pinterest to help readers find your pins when they search. Like hashtags are being used for tagging purposes.
I have read that Pinterest doesn’t want you using hashtags and will dock it in the “smart pin algorithm”. So, they say don’t use it unless you need to for a campaign or sponsored post. Also, if you put a hashtag on your picture (like #recipe), people will just click on your hashtag and see everyone else’s recipes: not just yours. So it takes people away from your pins. And Pinterest has a search bar for people to go search topics, so they don’t need to search by hashtag. The no hashtags on Pinterest has become suggested more since the smart pin algorithm has come into play, from what I understand.
You have a lot of good content here, but suddenly I am feeling old. I am not yet middle aged, but I much prefer pinterest over instagram, as do most of my friends. At the risk of sounding old and crotchety, the term “hashtag” makes my skin crawl. Apparently my target audience is a little older.
It is the social media for the younger generation. They feel like Facebook is their mom’s social media, and they all have smart phones. I am not a lover of hashtags either.
I love Instagram but hate hashtags. They are difficult to come up with. I’ll have to work on learning to like hashtags more. #hashtagstupid
I sometimes just forget to use them! There is an app called TakeOff where you can post directly to Instagram or “schedule” a post (it will remind you to actually “post” it), but it will have several hashtags you can choose based on your description. So that may be helpful to you.
I admit that I am not a pro at blogging and haven’t used hashtags or instagram yet. I will have to look into this more and will return to your advice a little later.
I am not a pro either :). I read somewhere that a company that is doing terrific on Instagram posts twice a day–once in the morning and once in the evening, so it doesn’t have to be too time consuming. I don’t even do that.
I love this post! Super helpful and I understand it…yeah…I always feel like there are so many social media tips that I don’t even get…so thanks for your clarity!!
Oh, I am so glad that it was easy to understand. That is one of my goals!
I can not figure out Instagram….do you have a resource that explains how it works? I want to engage using it, but it’s so foreign to me!
Here is a rather thorough tutorial:
I find I learn when I just get on and do it. I rarely edit a picture. I just take it or get it from my camera roll, add a description with a couple of hashtags, and share it! You can like (heart) or comment on your friends’ pictures.
Thanks for this info! I am new to blogging and am still trying to figure out how much and when and where to post. Thanks for these tips. I will come back to reference them!
It can get overwhelming–and things change quickly! But we’ll try to keep you update. I would say learn one or two social medias and then add another. My strongest are Pinterest and Facebook, and my referrals show it!
Great information and tips I will use over again because your information is all about the latest in social media. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. I’m glad it was helpful.
Great information!! Thank you!
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading.
wow, I guess I’m going to have to use my Instagram more often. Great tips! thanks!
You’re welcome. I still struggle to remember to use Instagram the way I should.
Thanks Tammy for this usefull article! The Information are very clear and the article is well writen.
Thanks, Sinziana. I appreciate your kind words.
Wow, this is all new to me, so thanks for sharing this info 🙂
You’re welcome.
Social media is a beast HAHA I’m still learning about how to use it properly and have fun at the same time…and just when I think I’ve got it down, I learn something new or a new network pops up to join 🙂 Thank you so much for these tips. I would love to listen to the podcast soon. Also, it’s interesting that you say no hashtags on LinkedIn and Pinterest! I’ll have to check out the articles you linked to. And I’m going to see what I can do with those scheduling tools!
Most of these tips are from social media experts, and I just compile them together. I’ve seen variations about Pinterest, but usually no hashtags there unless you are participating in a campaign/sponsored post. LinkedIn is where you should show yourself to be very professional, so maybe that is why they do no hashtags there and maybe LinkedIn does not support a search by hashtag feature like the other social medias.
Great information, especially since Instagram is still a bit of a mystery to me. I will definitely explore this topic further because it is the currently riding the wave of popularity.
It really is, and I think you’ll be amazed at all the interaction you get on Instagram (after you get some followers.)
OK, you’ve convinced me. I have to join the modern world and embrace Instagram. I participate in your Linky parties frequently, but don’t even have an Instagram account.
Oh, I am so glad you got to read a post of mine over here! Instagram is still a weakness of mine, but now that I have a smart phone, it is easier.
Great tips, Tammy! Frequency of posting is something I’ve been thinking about lately, so I’m really pleased to have found this post with some guidance. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I am glad it was helpful.
What a great idea for a series! And so much information too. Thank you. I’m bookmarking your site and coming back to read more.
Thanks! I have fun writing them, and I am excited that you found them useful!
Thanks for the tips. I like using a few hashtags, but it is a pet peeve of mine when people use a zillion of them! I need to be more intention, especially on my instagram posts.
Me too! There is an app for Instagram called TakeOff where it will show you a ton of hashtags and you can choose the couple of hashtags you want.
I find it irritating too.
I LOVE these tips! I had no idea that Instagram had the most interactions. I use it often, but I will definitely be using it more. I love the hashtags tips too! Love this series idea. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for all the great tips! I had no idea that something like ScheduGram existed, though I had hoped something like that did. I’ll definitely be applying these tips on my next social posts! thank you!
Thanks for this very informative post. I have been planning my social networking but I had not thought about frequency of posting.
It’s amazing how far hashtags have come considering they were once reserved for only the twitter platform. I currently only use them on Twitter and Facebook but will now have to explore using them on other platforms as well. Thanks for sharing Tammy.
This is a super helpful post! I love the visual with all the hashtag #s.
I use Instagram personally all the time, but I just don’t get how to use it for business! Especially on the same phone that I use for posting pictures of the kid’s for my family on my personal account. I’m also going to hit the wrinkle cream, I guess; I love Pinterest. But at least I love Instagram, too, lol…
This is great information! I loved the hashtag information – I didn’t realize Google+ was unlimited. I have definitely seen a difference in engagement using 5-6 hashtags on Instagram. I try to spread them out through my sentence rather than just listing them at the end. I don’t see much of a difference using hashtags on Facebook.
Wow. Up to 30 hash tags?! Honestly, I feel more than 3’on any platform is overkill 🙂
I love the posting frequency tips! I’ll be referring to them quite a bit 🙂
Wow, this is a LOT of information I hadn’t considered. Thanks for sharing! Now I have to go back and read the rest of the series 🙂
I love hashtags and Instagram!! Here’s my question, how do I keep the spammers away?? It’s almost as if they lurk around the specific hashtags! Thanks for the post!!
Thanks Tammy! I will be putting Instagram to use after reading these tips.
OMGosh! This is one of the best posts I’ve ever seen! I’m keeping this in my bookmarks and going to refer to it all the time.
I feel like I won the lottery in finding this post. I have steered clear of Instagram for so long because I just didn’t want another social account. You have encouraged me to rethink my social media strategy!
It is an amazing post and you explained it in a detailed way. Nice to see this here. I will bookmark your blog for more details. Keep sharing new things like this.