Week 8 Part A: Your Instagram Hashtag Use

Hashtags I Used on My Posts:

For my posts, I made sure to include a blend of widely-used hashtags and more niche ones related to my business. Some of the hashtags I used include:

• #OrganicSkincare

• #NaturalBeauty

• #GlowingSkin

• #EcoFriendlyBeauty

• #SensitiveSkinCare

• #SelfCareRoutine

• #MagnesiumForSkin

• #HolisticBeauty

I also added hashtags that were specific to my products and brand, such as:

• #BabySafeSkincare

• #MagnesiumSkinCare

• #CoconutButterSkincare

How I Found My Hashtags:

Finding the right hashtags involved a mix of research and experimentation. I first explored the popular skincare community on Instagram, looking at other organic skincare brands to see which hashtags were consistently used. I also looked into trending hashtags related to wellness, holistic beauty, and natural products.  By checking the engagement and reach of these hashtags, I was able to select those that were most relevant to my target audience.

I also took advantage of Instagram’s search feature, typing in keywords related to my business, such as “organic skincare” and “natural beauty,” and observing which hashtags popped up frequently in the posts of influencers and businesses I admire.

Specific Hashtags Created for My Business:

To build a stronger connection with my brand and community, I created a couple of unique hashtags:

• #GlowWithMagnesium: This hashtag focuses on the specific benefits of magnesium in skincare, a key ingredient in some of my products.

• #NourishNaturally: This one aligns with my brand’s philosophy of using natural ingredients to nourish and protect the skin.

These branded hashtags help create a more personal connection with my audience and encourage them to share their experiences with my products.

Timing of Posts:

• Tuesday Morning (8:00 AM on Facebook, 8:50 AM on Instagram): I noticed that posting in the morning, before work hours, helped me capture the attention of people looking for skincare inspiration while they were enjoying their coffee or starting their day.

• Tuesday Evening (8:59 PM on Facebook, 10:00 PM on Instagram): As people wind down after work, engagement spikes again. I found that many people are active around this time, likely browsing Instagram as they relax after a busy day.

• Wednesday Morning (10:20 AM on Facebook, 10:00 PM on Instagram): I tried a later morning post, which seems to catch people taking a break or catching up on social media during mid-morning hours.

What I Learned:

This exercise taught me a lot about how to refine my Instagram strategy to maximize engagement:

1. Hashtags Are Key: By using a combination of popular and niche hashtags, I was able to attract both a larger audience and a more targeted one interested in organic skincare.

2. Timing Matters: Posting at the right time can make a huge difference in engagement. I discovered that mornings and evenings were the most effective for my audience, particularly on weekdays.

3. Branded Hashtags Are Powerful: Creating unique hashtags for my brand allowed me to stand out and encouraged my followers to share their own experiences with my products.

This exercise has helped me fine-tune my approach to using Instagram for my business. I’ll continue to track my posts’ performance, and I plan to keep experimenting with different times and hashtags to further enhance my social media presence.

Smith, Troy  
Victoria, Alex
Winkle, Michelle