How to Get People to Use Your Destination’s Branded Hashtag

In today’s digital age, a catchy, well-promoted hashtag isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for engagement and reach.

Wondering how to get your visitors on board with using your branded hashtag? We’ll walk you through some actionable strategies that will transform those casual browsers into passionate promoters. 

User-Generated Content (UGC) Hashtags

Before we dive deeper, let’s just revisit why UGC is like that secret sauce in your marketing gourmet burger. It’s authentic, engaging, and, most importantly, it’s content that your audience trusts. So when travelers share their stories using your branded hashtag, they’re not just posting pictures on social media, they’re becoming your most credible marketers.

Why Hashtags? 🤔

Hashtags on social media posts help categorize content and allow users to search for broad and specific content they like. While there’s no limit to the number of hashtags in a post, it’s best-practice to only use ones that are relevant to the content.

Branded hashtags are a great way for destinations to add even more relevancy and refinement to their content, since hashtags help keep all tagged assets in one place. For example, instead of users simply tagging #Amsterdam or #Maldives, #Iamsterdam and #VisitMaldives have leveraged their hashtags to create communities, share awe-inspiring UGC, and inspire wanderlust worldwide.

For CrowdRiff customers, branded hashtags are an essential way to collect content on the platform. It tracks every use of the hashtag and automatically pulls that content from social media. This gives you a convenient, at-a-glance view of all tagged posts, eliminating the need to search social media manually or request usage rights for each post. 

Creating a Branded Hashtag ✍️

Now, creating a branded hashtag strategy may seem as intimidating as navigating a new city without Google Maps, but it’s all about keeping it simple and memorable.

In creating your hashtag, consider factors like length, distinctiveness, and relevance. You want your hashtag to fit just right: not too long that it’s forgettable, not too obscure that it’s unsearchable.

Take #ExploreBC, for example. Simple? Check. Memorable? Absolutely. Does it inspire you to share every corner of British Columbia from your POV? Absolutely!

Hype Up That Hashtag 💪

One Hashtag For Every Platform, Everywhere

An important part of a hashtag strategy is to use it consistently across all social media platforms.

Make like Frank’s Hot Sauce and put that stuff on everything. Include the hashtag in all of your digital and physical spaces. Websites, brochures, email signatures, even welcome signs at the airport—no spot is too sacred. 

The only way folks can use it is if they know about it. So consider it an extension of your brand identity. 

Engagement Is Key

Make your hashtag even more usable with a clear call to action, like “Tag us using #[BrandedHashtag] to be featured!” Then they know this is a hashtag you endorse and want them to use. 

Remember, every post with your hashtag is a high-five from your audience, so don’t leave them hanging! Feature their content on your channels and watch as more travelers clamber to join in on the fun. Even if you don’t request the content, reacting to the post or leaving a comment is great for your brand.

Scale with Contests and Giveaways

Contests and giveaways are your foolproof way to motivate hashtag use. If every entry has the hashtag, it skyrockets the results that pop up in search. Here’s an example to get you started: “Win your dream stay in our city! Share your favorite hidden gem with #[InsertBrandedHashtag]”

Creator Collabs: The Dream Team

Content creators are like the popular kids in school: everyone listens to them. Collaborate with those who resonate with your brand and watch your hashtag’s popularity soar.

But, remember, it’s not just about follower counts—it’s about alignment with your destination’s vibe and values. Find the storytellers who will genuinely connect with your audience and share content that will resonate with them.

Need help acquiring videos that align with your goals? CrowdRiff Creators can help you source authentic video from creators in your destination. No contracts or travel details to manage, just input your content needs and we’ll handle the rest.

Perfect for Events

Both in-person and virtual events offer a golden opportunity to promote your branded hashtag. Create engaging, interactive sessions where posting with your hashtag becomes a part of the experience. “Snap a selfie with our mascot and share with #[InsertBrandedHashtag]”. Simple, fun, and interactive.

See #Results with Hashtags 📊

All strong strategies have the numbers to back them up. And, lucky for you, great hashtags also mean great analytics.

Keep a close eye on your hashtag’s performance with tools that track reach, engagement, and all that juicy data. This will not only tell you who’s joining the conversation, but how you can also steer it moving forward.

Go On, Get Hashtagging 

Your branded hashtag serves as a beacon, calling out to those who want to be a part of your destination’s story. It’s not just a tag—it’s a ticket to endless engagement and unforgettable stories. 

One more hot tip: you should also tap into trending hashtags to increase your engagement and visibility! Along with your branded hashtag, aim to add 2-4 other relevant hashtags to your posts. You can find trending/related hashtags by using tools like Sprout or Hootsuite for social media listening, competitor analysis, and hashtag generators.

Eager to turn those hashtags into trending topics? CrowdRiff can help you unleash the full potential of user-generated content. Book a call with us and we’ll find the best solution for you.