Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram have given businesses, organizations, and individuals the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience. By using hashtags, social media posts can be easily found when users search for specific topics. As an eye care professional, whether you are an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician, you can use hashtags to increase your visibility and grow your practice. In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose hashtags and how to use them.
Choose Relevant & Popular Hashtags
It’s important to ensure your hashtags are relevant to the post you are sharing. For example, if you’re sharing an interesting case study, you might consider using #EyeHealth, #VisionCare, or #OcularDisease. Using a popular hashtag that relates closely to your post is an effective way to get exposure, gain new followers, and drive more engagement. Additionally, using a mix of general and specific hashtags relevant to your eye care practice can increase the chances of getting found by potential patients near your location.
Analyze Competitor Hashtags
Another way to choose a trending hashtag is to analyze the hashtags your competitors are using. You can use this information to stay on top, reach your followers, and improve your social media content. Analyze the hashtags your competitors are using and find out which ones genuinely help them reach a larger audience. Also, notice the hashtags that created a buzz in the previous months and replicate them.
Use Location-Based Hashtags
Using hashtags in your local area can help you potentially reach new clients that are in close proximity to your practice. For instance, if you have an optometrist clinic in the city of Miami, you might consider using hashtags such as #MiamiEyeCare, #MiamiOptometrist, or #SouthBeachOptician. This will help people in Miami find you quickly and easily.
Use Branded Hashtags
Branded hashtags are specific to your clinic, and this can help in creating awareness around your brand. This could be as simple as using your clinic name or slogan as a hashtag, for example, #DrJayEyes, #ProVisionClinic, or #SeeBetterFeelBetter. The idea of branded hashtags is to get your patients to share your content and increase your visibility in the process.
Use the 250 Rule
When in doubt, follow the 250 rule! Don’t choose hashtags that have less than 250 photos associated with them. You will have a limited chance of being interacted with and the less people looking for that hashtag. Don’t choose hashtags that have over 250,000 photos associated with them. Content will be filtered through more quickly, and it will be harder to get noticed.
Take These Steps for Hashtag Success!
A well-thought-out strategy and research on the hashtags that matter most to your audience can be key to growing your following and getting more eyes on your content. By incorporating relevant, popular, and easy-to-remember hashtags, you can increase engagement and improve your visibility. Make sure to constantly analyze and adjust your hashtag strategy to enhance your online presence and stand out from the competition. Use this guide to kickstart your hashtags game to reach more patients and increase engagement with your social media content.
