How Do Hashtags Work on LinkedIn?

The next edition of?The Mango Effect is out! ?? If you're new, this is where we talk about all things related to growing our businesses and personal brands "the mango way" on LinkedIn -- from personal branding to growing our networks to attracting more ideal clients to optimizing our profiles... and everything in between!

Each week, I share ONE strategy that you can use to optimize your personal brand or grow your business on LinkedIn. Whether you're a subject matter expert at the top of your field, a business leader looking to get on more boards, or a gritty entrepreneur trying to craft an ideal sales & marketing machine -- you'll find one action item you can take away and implement each and every week to get you one step closer to your goal.

No topic is off-limits. We discuss the good, the bad, and the fugly. I do take topic recommendations, too!

My mission is to help more professionals learn how to use LinkedIn, so we can all "up our game" on the platform, build thought leadership, and grow as leaders in our careers and businesses. And, I like to keep things fun, practical, and inspiring.

Now, onto this week's topic!

How Do Hashtags Work on LinkedIn?

Which hashtags should you use on LinkedIn? ?? How many hashtags are too many? Should you create your own hashtag to build thought leadership? Do hashtags work the same on LinkedIn as other channels?

Hashtags have helped us share the nuance of a topic, get into larger conversations, spark movements that change the culture, cleverly help us share insider knowledge, and even kickstart new trends!

LinkedIn was a slow adopter, but now hashtags definitely "are a thing" that every LinkedIn user should know how to use effectively.

In this episode of Mondays with Mindi, we discuss all things LinkedIn hashtags and cover the gamut from how to get started with them on LinkedIn as a beginner to how to use hashtags like a pro!

What You Need to Know About LinkedIn Hashtags

When it comes to hashtags on LinkedIn, it can be a bit confusing trying to figure out the basics especially if you’re not big on Instagram or TikTok. I often get asked questions like:

• How do I get started with hashtags on LinkedIn?
• Which hashtags should I use on LinkedIn??
• How many hashtags are too many??
• Should I create my own hashtag to build thought leadership??
• Do hashtags work the same on LinkedIn as other channels?

Since 2007 when the first hashtag was used on Twitter by a "too nerdy" Tom Huddleston Jr. Chris Messina, they have since exploded onto the scene to help us better communicate on the socials.

Hashtags have helped us share the nuance of a topic, get into larger conversations, spark movements that change the culture, cleverly help us share insider knowledge, and even kickstart new trends!

LinkedIn was a slow adopter, but now hashtags definitely "are a thing" that every LinkedIn user should know how to use effectively.

I’ve had a number of people ask me if they even need to use hashtags if they’re happy with their network size…

If you’re NOT using hashtags, you’re missing a HUGE opportunity to increase the visibility of your posts beyond your immediate LinkedIn network.

When you don’t use a hashtag, the only people who will see your post appear in their feed are your first degree connections AND if they don’t like or engage with your post, it dies right then and there.

No chance for anyone else to see it!

Even if you are NOT trying to become the next LinkedIn influencer, you want your potential reach to be as extensive as possible.?

Your post engagement depends on it, which leads to building trust with the people who will eventually want to work with you (or hire you, if you’re a job seeker.)

Hashtags are a very EASY way to instantly increase your post’s reach without having to attract new followers or build a massive LinkedIn network.

Hashtags are excellent for those new to LinkedIn posting to get some traction with a small network. They’re also important for those of you with an extensive, growing network to continue to build thought leadership by increasing your reach.

Sold on hashtags, yet? Let’s get into the details!

Are LinkedIn Hashtags Actually a Big Deal?

If you’re a job seeker or not actively trying to grow your network, you might assume that hashtags are NOT a big deal for you.

But wait! Did you know that hiring managers, headhunters and recruiters use hashtags to find good candidates on LinkedIn?

Thing is… hashtags can be used in other places besides your LinkedIn posts.?

Have you heard of digital creator mode? Yeah, where you get to choose five hashtags that speak to the topics you’re an expert in.

Hashtags are a way to show that you’re “in the know” on LinkedIn when you use them well, and they instantly allow people to figure out what you’re talking about.

There’s nuance with hashtags, and you can actually leverage hashtags to become the dominant voice on a hashtag if that’s your goal.

So many ways to use hashtags, but where do you actually start?

You want to start simple.

It’s not about using too many hashtags because the algorithm doesn’t like that. It’s about using hashtags in a way that makes sense for your personal brand or your LinkedIn Page.

Stand Out on LinkedIn with Hashtags

Hashtags are a way to make your posts and profile stand out from the crowd.?

Think of them as an accessory, like Social Curator expert, Jasmine Star, likes to call them.

They’re not the full outfit you’re putting on, but they do add that little extra something that makes the outfit feel put together.

When I use a hashtag for my own posts or with my clients, I think about the different types of people who use those hashtags and may be searching for those topics on LinkedIn.

Your hashtags should be used appropriately and match the content on your profile or in your posts. Don’t use a hashtag just because it’s popular - it needs to be what you specifically want people to think about when they read your post.?

You’re “categorizing” your post or your profile by the hashtags you use. Make sure they’re aligned with your overall business strategy.

Hashtags are important to your business strategy on LinkedIn and on other channels. They’re not something you just use willy-nilly.

Let’s talk about 10 hashtag tips and answer your questions for those of you ready to make the most of your hashtags… ready? Let’s do this!

10 Ways to Use Hashtags on LinkedIn… like a pro!

Let’s talk about how you can take that next step towards crafting thought leadership content with your hashtags -- not just posting well-thought out content and a great profile, but helping people understand what you’re REALLY good at… instantly!

This is all about changing peoples’ perspectives and helping them to see something they assumed to be unequivocally true through another lens.

Here are 10 of the most common questions people ask about using hashtags on LinkedIn.

#1 - Which hashtags should I use on LinkedIn?

#2 - Which 5 hashtags to use in Creator Mode?

#3 - Are hashtags picked up by the LinkedIn algorithm?

#4 - How do hashtags increase visibility? engagement?

#5 - How do I pick the popular hashtags in my niche?

#6 - How many hashtags should I use per post?

#7 - What are hashtag followers on LinkedIn?

#8 - How do hashtags work on LinkedIn?

#9 - Where should I use hashtags on LinkedIn - profile, posts, elsewhere?

#10 - How do I create a hashtag strategy for my profile?

There is no perfect way to use hashtags on LinkedIn, but you need to match your hashtags to the types of topics your audience would be looking or would be interested in on LinkedIn.?

I’ve seen too many people make assumptions about hashtags and either totally overdo hashtags because they think “more is better” OR ignore hashtags because they either don’t understand them or think they’re unnecessary.

Match your hashtag choices to your audience. They’ll start knowing which topics you enjoy discussing, and you’re well on your way to building trust with them.

Remember: your goal is to create more meaningful 1:1 connections with the people you want to serve and do business with, and LinkedIn hashtags is one way to kickstart the trust that leads to those connections. Start adding them to your LinkedIn strategy and using them in a way that works with your personal brand.

My challenge for you -- think about your target audience and your people. Which hashtags do they use? Are there any that seem really popular? Should you create your own hashtag? Based on that information, determine which hashtags you should experiment with.

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If you’re ready to dial in that About section once and for all, so you can start getting new leads or land your next opportunity in 2022, join me inside The 90-Minute LinkedIn Profile program where we’ll get your LinkedIn profile up-and-running in just 90 minutes! We’ll discuss exactly how to make LinkedIn the number one source for new business opportunities using your LinkedIn profile.

I’ll see you next week on Mondays with Mindi! Feel free to leave questions or comments below - and my inbox is open if you want to message me directly! :)