This week I completed a fourteen day hashtag challenge on Instagram.
It’s the first time I’ve taken part in a hashtag challenge so I thought I would share my experience, and why I think you should join one too!
What is a Hashtag Challenge?
A hashtag challenge is where you are invited to share social media posts on a particular theme, at the same time. By using the hashtag you are joining a community all sharing content on that theme. By searching or following the hashtag, you can see what other accounts are sharing, too.
Hashtag challenges can take place on any social media platform but are especially popular on Instagram.
A hashtag challenge can last a day, a week or a month - so be sure you can commit before joining in!
An Example: #MeetTheSocialPro
I joined a challenge called #MeetTheSocialPro, set by fellow social media manager, Laura Davis from @virtuallysavvy_. In this challenge, lasting 14 days, Laura set a theme for each day, with questions such as:
Your ideal client is….
Your top 3 social media tips are….
What services do you offer?
And so on, for 14 days! To take part in the challenge, I posted daily answering the theme or question set for that day, and using the hashtag #MeetTheSocialPro.
Why Get Involved?
There are lots of reasons to get involved in a hashtag challenge. Here’s a few from my own experience.
It’s a great incentive to post consistently during the challenge
The challenge gives you a theme for each of your posts, so you don’t have to think of something to talk about!
By following the challenge hashtag, you discover lots of great new accounts. You get into conversations, make contacts, find awesome accounts to follow and even check out the competition!
It helps you get into good habits of posting consistently and with purpose, which hopefully will continue after the challenge is over.
Time to Reflect
The #MeetTheSocialPro Challenge was really useful for me because it forced me to talk about my work - which I don’t do very often. It also gave me a reason to reflect on my business, when I answered questions like those above. So, who is my ideal client? And how would I describe the services that I offer?
Again, it was interesting and thought-provoking to see how other people in the same line of business answered these questions too.
How to Find a Hashtag Challenge
So, if you want to join in, how do you find a Challenge?
Try searching #instagramchallenge. Even if a challenge has already finished, keep an eye on the account which launched it - they may do another.
Look at accounts you like to follow and see if they mention an upcoming challenge that fits with your business
If you see a challenge that you want to join, try to plan ahead so you have content to hand which fits the theme
Consider starting your own challenge! Come up with an original hashtag and get your followers involved!
some Great Hashtag Challenges
#MarchMeetTheMaker - creatives share insights into their work, in March! Started by @joannehawker
#onlineactsofkindness - a short challenge to build community and support other small and creative businesses. By @ruthpoundwhite.
#SocialMumsJune - An opportunity to talk about your business, from @socialmums.
Are you following me on Instagram? Come over and say hello @asocialnature.