#Hashtag - Understanding Hashtags and How To Get Started Using Them With Your Business

Either you run the day, or the day runs you.

- Jim Rohn

While I've been tweeting and posting my way through the Social Media World quite regularly, I have to admit that I've been a late-comer to utilizing hashtags as part of my social media strategy. I finally decided it was time to bite the bullet and get started utilizing hashtags. 

What is a #Hashtag?
Simply put,a hashtag is an easy way for people to categorize, find and join conversations on a particular topic.by a number sign (#), the hashtag is paired with a word or phrase to perform a variety of functions. attach hashtags to tweets and posts as search mechanisms, categorizing tools and marketing tactics.


Hashtag Formatting 
The hashtag is used to highlight key words or topics, and can be placed anywhere within a post or tweet.

• Not case sensitiveMust contain at least one alpha character. 
• Cannot be all numbers (ex: #1234)
• Can be combination of letters and numbers (ex: #4change, #iPhone5, #good4you)
• No special characters (ex: !@$%&*)
• Must be all one word with no spaces (ex: #SocialMedia, Not #Social Media)

Why Should You Use Hashtags For Business
First and foremost, it increases your exposure on popular social sites. More visibility and exposure is why we're on these social sites. More exposure gets you more followers, and since hashtags are used to categorize subject matter, it helps you get the right type of followers by targeting your audience. 

 
4 Steps to Getting Started With Hashtags
If you're a complete newbie to hashtags, these 4 steps will get you going in no time.

Step 1: Find Popular and Relevant Hashtags In Your Industry

• Start following companies in your field to see what hashtags they are using and what type of engagement they receive. Look for a mixture of large and small companies, including your direct competitors.
• Check Hashtags.org for trending and popular hashtags.
• Search glossaries or directory of terms published by professional associations or other groups.
• Input hashtags at Tagboard.com to see how they are being used by other people and companies.
• Search Iconosquare.com for hashtags used in Instagram.  

Tagboard.com

Here's an example of a typical display by entering the hashtag '#handmadejewelry' into Tagboard. I can then view other hashtags users entered in the same post.

Iconosquare.com
In the below example, I entered '#handmadejewelry' and looked through the feed until I found some posts that looked interesting and had good engagement. I then clicked on the photo to display the hashtags being used. 

  

Step 2: Create a Hashtag Spreadsheet

Below is an example of a spreadsheet I started. In the first section, I listed other jewelry designers I follow. Then I created columns for typical jewelry categories I use. The bottom group of columns list my other interests, hobbies, and topics I also tweet, blog, and post about, so I also needed hashtag ideas for them.

This is a living document that I modify on a regular basis. It's great to have it handy whenever I'm posting so I always have a list of hashtags I can use.

Step 3: Start Posting With Hashtags on Your List
Now that you have a good list of starting hashtags, start tweeting and posting. If you are getting stuck on where to begin, here are some good suggestions:

• Participate in Daily Trends. #ThrowBackThursday and #FollowFriday are examples of popular daily trends. There are also numerous daily trends in many industries. Find one that matches your business and post every week.
• National Day - There is a 'national day' for just about anything you can think of. Find some that pertain to your business or interests and post something relevant on that day. You can always find a hashtag that describes the day.
• Look for trending topics or search a hashtag to join the conversation.
• Post or tweet while you are at events, conferences, or even out to dinner. Be sure to take pictures and include them in your post.
• Do you have a good tip or advice related to your field? Tweet about it.
• Retweet other posts that you find interesting. People love to be retweeted. Make sure to thank people who retweet your posts too.

Below are some examples of good tweets:

Humorous take on a trending topic.

 Great tip that people will tend to retweet.

Thanking people for retweeting is always appreciated.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Only use 1 – 3 hashtags per post/tweet. Overuse of hashtags leads to less engagement
• Don’t use the same hashtags in every post or tweet -  mix it up.
• Don’t input hashtags that are not relevant to your post. 
• Don’t hijack hashtags involving sensitive situations. 
• Don't hashtag every word (i.e. #I #am #so #excited #today)  
• Don't hashtag the same word more than once (i.e. It is my #birthday. Here is a photo of my #birthday cake, my #birthday presents, and my awesome #birthday party!) 

Epic Hashtag Fails

Don't try to capitalize on a sensitive issue.

Asking for retweets is always bad. It looks spammy when linked to a disaster.

 I don't even need to explain this one.

Or this one.

Step 4: Create Your Own Hashtags
Now that you've gotten comfortable using existing hashtags in your posts, it's time to create your own hashtags. This is where branding comes into play, so be sure to create hashtags that are unique to your business name. I use #TheresaRoseDesigns and #TheresaRoseJewelry often in my posts.

• Keep hashtags as simple and short as possible.
• Don't customize beyond what's necessary. For example, there is no need to add the year to the following hashtag: #JewelryTrends2014.
• Test your hashtag on social sites such as Tagboard and Twitter to make sure it's unique and more importantly, appropriate.
• Make sure your hashtags are clear, unique and relevant.
• While you can design a hashtag using CamelCase (for example: #TheresaRoseDesigns), it's always a good idea to test it using all lower case. Can you spot the problems with the below hashtags?

Finally, here are a list of useful sites that help you while researching hashtags: 

Hashtags.org 
Lists popular and trending hashtags, along with article and news about hashtags. Includes analytics for a fee.  

Tagdef.com 
Lists most popular hashtags for the week, all-time, new tags, and top users. Gives definitions for popular hashtags. 

Tagboard.com
Input a hashtag to see how a hashtag is used across multiple networks. The results show posts from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Vine, and App.net. 

Trendsmap.com 
Shows relevant hashtags that are being used in your geographic area.

My Essential Oil Face Moisturizer Recipe

My DoTerra Essential Oil Face Moisturizer Recipe

I have recently discovered DoTerra essential oils and I'm hooked!

I love the idea of using natural products wherever possible and there are no shortage of uses for essential oils, from skin care, health care, housekeeping, etc. I've really enjoyed experimenting with them and I'm looking forward to sharing my homemade recipes that I've started developing.

My first recipe I want to share is for my own facial moisturizer. I've never hesitated to spend money on good quality products and have spent that last year using (and praising) Arbonne. I still love my Arbonne products due to their natural, beneficial ingredients, but I'm also now supplementing them with my essential oils.

I made a very small batch of moisturizer - .25oz. I prefer to make a small amount at a time to keep it fresh. However, even at this small amount, it's enough for about 1 month (using it both morning and evening). A little goes a long way.

My Face Moisturizer Recipe:
.25 oz Rosehip oil (preferably organic)
3 drops Frankincense oil
3 drops Geranium oil
2 drops Lavender oil

Why I Chose These Oils

Rosehip oil is harvested from the seeds of rose bushes predominately grown in Chile. I chose it because it is full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that are known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all while reducing scars and fine lines. It's non greasy and very light.

Frankincense oil promotes regeneration of healthy cells and also keeps the existing cells and tissues healthy. It is known for its anti-aging benefits and can help you to eliminate sun spots, remove micro-wrinkles around the eyes and cheeks, and generally tone and tighten skin all over your body, while simultaneously replacing old or dying cells with new, healthy ones.

Geranium oil is a powerful cicatrisant, so it helps the scars and other spots on the skin to fade and vanish. It facilitates blood circulation just below the surface of skin and also helps promote a uniform distribution of melanin.

Lavender oil benefits can be attributed to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions. It is commonly used to speed up the healing process of wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns because it improves the formation of scar tissues.

Approximate Cost:
Rosehip oil: $2.50
Frankincense: .99
Geranium:  .39
Lavender: .20

Total cost for 1 month supply: $4.08.

I've been using this recipe for 2 weeks now and love how soft and moisturized my skin feels and looks!

May Giveaway - $20.00 Gift Certificate

It's the end of the month and time for my monthly giveaway! This time the prize is a $20.00 gift certificate for my shop.

The contest begins today and will run through Friday, June 6th.

Please read the following before entering:

1.  This contest is open to U.S. entries only.

2.  Only one gift certificate will be awarded and is only valid at www.TheresaRose.etsy.com I do not take any responsibility for lost or misused codes. Once the certificate is redeemed, no other certificates will be re-issued.

3. Invalid entries will be deleted. I will check all entries before picking a random winner. Make sure you fill  in the correct information required for your points. Otherwise, your entries will be invalid for the drawing.

4. Winners will be notified via e-mail with certificate code.

Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why Every Etsy Seller Should Also Have Their Own Website

Every Etsy Seller Needs To Have Their Own Website!

I've been selling on Etsy for over 5 years and have been very happy with the traffic and sales I receive on their site. However, I also have my own website and I'm so glad I do.

Launching my website only took me 1 week from start to finish. It's a simple site and at this time, just consists of the following pages:

1. Home - I have a slideshow featuring my jewelry.
2. The Shop - This page links directly to my Etsy store.
3. Blog - Links to my blog.
4. About - This tells my story .
5. Contact - All my contact info (e-mail, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter) is located here.
6. E-Mail Updates - Link to sign up for my e-mail newsletter.

Each page also has direct links to my Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter accounts.

Reasons to have your own site, even if you are selling successfully on Etsy

1. You own your brand name. TheresaRoseDesigns is my name, forever. As long as I pay my $10 every year, no one can take that name. Even if it takes you a while to build the site, grab the domain name asap!
2. Your entire online presence can be accessed from one location. From my main site, you can link to:
• Etsy Shop
• Blog
• Facebook Fan Page
• Twitter
• Pinterest  
• Instagram
3. Increase your web exposure.  The more places you have your name, the more you will be found.
4. Complete control over content. While I love the way Etsy looks, I do not control the picture sizes, color, or logo. I want the first look a customer has of Theresa Rose Designs to be the image that I want to project.
5. SEO, SEO, SEO! I can drive customers to my site via SEO (which I'm still learning). I can't do that on Etsy. 
6. Credibility. Having my own site shows that I'm serious about my business. If I'm invested in my business, then that builds trust with potential customers. It shows professionalism and legitimacy.
7. What is the future of Etsy? I'm pretty sure that Etsy will be around for a long time, but if anything happens, I'm positioned to link to a new store. If Etsy disappears and that's my only on-line presence, I disappear.

Your website doesn't have to be a massive undertaking. I have a few pages. I use it mostly to link to my other sites at this time. Once I realized that this was the way to start, the task didn't seem so daunting and I was able to get to work on it.

All my communication links to my website, not Etsy. I want to drive people to my site and they can select the Shop link to go to Etsy. This serves a couple of purposes:

1. If anything happens to Etsy, whether temporarily or permanently, people still have a link to find me.
2. I can find out (through analytics) how many people are coming to my Etsy shop from TheresaRoseDesigns.com. (good info!).
3. Customers can directly link to my social media sites and blog. 

So, if you haven't started your own site, what are you waiting for? Go for it!

Is Going Wheat Free All It's Cracked Up To Be?

Is Going Wheat Free All It's Cracked Up To Be? Well, I'm about to find out.


I'm going on a 30-day wheat-free diet. For many reasons, I've decided to give my body a rest from wheat and processed sugars for the month of May. I actually started this last Monday, so I'm already one week into it. I'm trying to limit my carbohydrate intake to 40 to 50 grams per day.

My reasons for doing this are:

1. I want to try to lose a little weight. Getting rid of sugars (empty calories) is an obvious first choice, but I'm also reading that wheat is a big source of carbohydrates and converts those sugars into fat.
2. I have suffered from insomnia (extreme insomnia, at times) for more years than I can count. Many people on wheat-free diets have stated that they sleep much more soundly and longer once they gave up wheat. It's definitely worth a try!
3. Energy - need I say more? A couple of weeks ago, I decreased my intake of carbohydrates and sugars for about a week and I noticed a HUGE increase in my energy level throughout the day. It isn't the Energizer-bunny kind of energy, it's a consistent, steady flow of energy that starts the minute I wake and continues until bedtime. I don't have the usual highs and lows, so it's a calmer energy (and very productive).
4. After reading Grain Brain and Wheat Belly, I feel compelled to limit my wheat intake. The authors of these two books give very compelling reasons that wheat is not the health food we've been told it is.

So, after one week, I can say this:

1. It's been really easy to give us wheat! I'm not a big bread eater any way, so this may be part of the reason why I haven't felt deprived. I've been eating more cheese and avocado (which I absolutely love!), so I'm getting the opportunity to try some new recipes and enjoying it a lot.
2. My stomach is flatter and I've lost about 1 1/2 pounds. It's hard to know if that loss is just typical weight variance that naturally happens from day to day (or water weight), but I do feel good.
3. Sleep has been good this week. Normally, if I don't get a full 7 to 8 hours sleep, I'm in a brain fog all day. It's seems that I'm sleeping more soundly and I'm not waking up as often in the night. Instead of waking up about 3-4 hours after going to bed, I'm waking up 5-6 hours later. I usually fall back to sleep quickly, and I'm wide awake after 6 - 7 hours. I really do feel very well rested.
4. I feel so much fuller than usual. It doesn't take much food to fill me up and I'm satisfied much longer. I also have found that I don't feel the need to snack.
5. My energy level is definitely higher. Like I mentioned above, it's a steady, feel good energy that lasts throughout the day. No brain fog either!

I'm happy with the results so far. We'll see how it goes the rest of the month.

Don't Downplay Yourself or Your Business! - Day 33

Don’t underestimate yourself, and never downplay the value of your business, skills, and talents.

I have an acquaintance that I talk to you every so often. One of the first things she always asks me (in this exact phrase) is 'How is your little side business going?'. She's a really nice person and I know she is genuinely interested in how my jewelry business is going, but it has always grated on me whenever she refers to my business as my 'little side business'. Last time she asked, I sort of bristled and said 'Well, it's not so little anymore.' Then I moved on to another subject.

During one of my morning walks, I started thinking about how people unintentionally minimize my business efforts with their off-handed remarks and how easily I get offended. But then I had a sudden epiphany. As in the example above, it wasn't her fault that she refers to my business as 'little' and 'side'. It's my fault! I must obviously be conveying that message to her otherwise she wouldn't use those words. In fact, each time she asks that question I only reinforce her belief by quickly changing the subject - and I do this all the time! If someone asks me a question about my business, I usually make a brief statement that it's going well and then move on to another subject. I find it difficult to talk about myself and always have a tendency to downplay what's going on in my life, and especially my business.

But if I don't take myself seriously, how can I expect someone else to?

So, next time someone asks me how my business is going, I'm going to respond like this:
It's going great! I was finally able to quit my corporate job late last year and I'm really excited with the direction my company is taking. I've added some new product lines and they have been really well received. I have some exciting plans for this year and I've been really busy implementing them.

Now, isn't that so much better! Why haven't I done that before?

Is this common? Do most of us have a tendency to downplay our business achievements? Are we sometimes too wrapped up in our identities as mothers, wives, corporate professionals, etc. that we don't give ourselves the same recognition as independent business owners?

I'm sure I'm not alone in this mode of thinking. I think many of us do this unconsciously and it doesn't serve us well. I am going to work on presenting myself and my business more enthusiastically. I wonder how many opportunities have passed me by because I gave the impression that I wasn't serious or confident about my business.

What do you think? How do you present yourself to others when asked about your business?

Theresa Rose Designs April Giveaway

April's giveaway will be for a sterling silver bangle with your choice of birthstone.

The contest begins today and will run through Wednesday, April 30th.

Please read the following before entering:

1.  This contest is open to U.S. entries only.

2.  Only one bangle will be awarded.

3. Invalid entries will be deleted. I will check all entries before picking a random winner. Make sure you fill  in the correct information required for your points. Otherwise, your entries will be invalid for the drawing.

Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway