I know everyone visits my blog for the great writing so I am sorry to disappoint today – this will be short and sweet. Today we’ll scratch the surface of measuring hashtags for Instagram posts.
Why should I measure Instagram hashtag performance?
As I stated in my last post, “How to Research Hashtags for Instagram Posts” if you’re not measuring you’re wasting your time.
Here is a quick example:
I changed up my hashtags for my last Instagram post. I don’t mean a slight change. I mean a wholesale change. I really wanted to get a good baseline so I went from these 30 hashtags:
#contractorsofinsta #buildersofinsta #homerenovationlife #marketing #marketingtips #digitalmarketing #seo #website #websitedesign #webdesigner #homebuilder #homebuilders #roofingcontractor #deckbuilding #builder #builders #generalcontractor #commercialconstruction #plumbers #hvac #remodeler #fredericksburg #stafford #staffordva #spotsylvania #virginia #workonafriday
to these 9:
#fredericksburgvirginia #staffordva #offtheladder #buildersofinstagram #contractorslife #remodelers
#generalcontractors #marketinghelp #marketing101
Was there a difference? Heck yeah! And it was all bad!
Here are the resulting numbers:
Profile Visits ↓ 100%
New Follows = No change
Reach ↓ 38%
Impressions ↓ 38%
From Home ↓ 16%
From Hashtags ↓ 68%
From Location ↓ 60%
Now that I have started to measure I can learn which hashtags are effective at reaching the target audience I want to reach. If I’m doing a good job with hashtags and increasing engagement, I will get follows.
When I get someone following me I immediately go to their profile to check out who they are and what they do. If they’re part of my target audience I’ll follow back. If not, I don’t. And, I of course block the Instasex followers – you know the ones… the pretty girls with no posts and 1200 followers.
How do I continue with measuring Instagram hashtag performance?
Listen. Everyone will have their own methods. I know I’m going to get readers (haters) who question my methods and who think I have no idea what I’m talking about but this is how I’m doing it for now.
Since I just started I am in the midst of creating either a spreadsheet or Microsoft Access database to track the hashtags and their performance. Yeah, I know. You think I should just pay for one of the hashtag trackers. I may. But for now I’m going it alone since I don’t have much data yet. If I can figure out how to track without paying for it I’ll let you know.
Anyway, I am adding one hashtag to the nine I used for my last Digital Marketing in 60 Seconds or Less post. I am adding #roofingcontractor.
I will wait two days and visit my Insights to see how my post performed with the new hashtag. If I see a huge jump in engagement I’ll know, almost definitively ( I say almost because it is Friday), that the new hashtag was probably the catalyst. Then I will have to decide where to go from there.
Well, that’s how I’m doing it. You can follow my guide or decide on another path which may very well include hashtag tracking software. It’s totally up to you.
Like James Garner says in “Support Your Local Sheriff!” (great movie) when, Harry Morgan, the Mayor says to him “I guess you know what you’re doing, Sheriff” My response is “I don’t know what I could have said to give you that idea.”
I’ve said from the very first post about Instagram that I’m learning with you. Now, I may not be on my way to Australia, but I am embarking on a journey and I’ve been honest since day one. I’d love for you to stick with me and learn this stuff together.
Please let me know if you have any thoughts on this. I have the comments off to protect against SPAM but you can fill out this quick form and if you give me permission, I’ll post your questions / comments here.
