How Do Hashtags Work on TikTok?

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How Do Hashtags Work on TikTok?

Over the past few months, I’ve been diving deep into TikTok as a content creator and researching the questions that spark my interest along the way. Last month, I investigated optimal posting times and how often you should post. This month, I’ve been wondering about how the heck hashtags work on TikTok. Are they important? Effective? In the past, I’ve wondered the same thing about Instagram. While hashtags don’t tend to make or break your social media presence, they can be useful.

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Do Hashtags Actually Matter?

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Do Hashtags Actually Matter?

In so many conversations with clients, one topic that comes up again and again is hashtags. Do they actually matter? How many are you supposed to use? Where do you put them? What’s the point? Over the years, the way we’ve used hashtags on Instagram has changed significantly, and so has how Instagram treats them in the algorithm. Ultimately, the goal with hashtags is to be intentional rather than spammy. It can be difficult figuring out how to do that well! That’s why today on the blog, I’m sharing my tips for making the most of hashtags.

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Why I Use a Social Media Scheduling Tool

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Why I Use a Social Media Scheduling Tool

For years now, I’ve been a fan of scheduling tools to tackle the daunting task of social media management. While social media may seem easy to the untrained eye, not everyone who has an Instagram account can do a great job managing social media for a brand. Social media requires a thoughtful strategy, with clear goals and a solid plan for execution. So many businesses launch social accounts and quickly let them fall out of date because they don’t have a plan for posting consistently. That’s where scheduling tools are a lifesaver! Here are a few of the main reasons why I use a scheduling tool.

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A Conversation with Rachel Barnhart & Ana Liss: On Dealing with Negative Comments

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A Conversation with Rachel Barnhart & Ana Liss: On Dealing with Negative Comments

This is the 12th post in the “A Conversation With” series, where I interview smart humans about their experiences in the world of social media. You can read past features here.

This month, I interviewed Rachel Barnhart, a Monroe County Legislator, and Ana Liss, the Director of Planning & Economic Development for Monroe County. Both women are intelligent, hardworking, and have dealt with negative comments and online harassment. In this blog post, we dive into how those negative comments impact mental health, what platforms and people can do better, and more.

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A Conversation with Jackie Ortiz: Holding Space & Creating Community

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A Conversation with Jackie Ortiz: Holding Space & Creating Community

This is the 11th post in the “A Conversation With” series, where I interview talented folks about their areas of marketing expertise. You can read past entries in the series here.

This month, I interviewed Jackie Ortiz, a social media professional who currently does community at Doist and runs her own business, Sarap Tees. We discussed community management, lessons learned from the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and how marketers can play a role in the pursuit of equity at their companies. I hope you enjoy her insights!

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How to Run a Social Media Giveaway

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How to Run a Social Media Giveaway

You’ve seen them before: the social media giveaway. They’re all over lately, especially on Instagram! Why would you want to give free products or services away, though? And if you do decide it’s the right move for your business, how do you execute on it effectively? We’re exploring all that and more on the blog today!

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Headshots Matter. Here's Why.

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Headshots Matter. Here's Why.

The first time I had a headshot taken, I was 21 and starting my first office job after undergrad. I was working at my alma mater and the university photographer snapped a quick photo in front of a generic backdrop in his basement cubicle. I didn’t love the end result, but hey, it was just going up on our department’s website and nowhere else, so no big deal, right? A “meh” headshot wasn’t the end of the world, but it was a missed opportunity.

As my career has progressed, I’ve come to learn the value of a great headshot. It can make you feel way more confident and awesome as you market yourself online! For awhile, I used a black and white headshot an intern at another job took, but it never felt like me. When I finally got headshots I loved, it made a world of difference! I recently got new headshots and love them so much, which got me thinking about what makes a great headshot and how often you should update them. I figured I wasn’t the only one who has wondered about these things, so I talked to some of my photographer friends to get their best insights and tips!

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Why I Ended My Passion Project

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Why I Ended My Passion Project

This month, I did something that I could not have envisioned doing at this time last year. After investing four and a half years into it, I finally decided to end my passion project, I Heart ROC. I will always value the relationships I built by interviewing my fellow Rochesterians and sharing their stories on the site. It was an incredible experience and I am so grateful for it.

So, why did I end it? That’s exactly what I want to share on the blog today. In our society, people are always launching side hustles or passion projects. There’s tons of pressure to monetize your hobby. Do you enjoy baking? Start a bakery! Like making candles at home? Sell them on Etsy! It seems like you can’t do something just for the sake of enjoying it anymore. When I googled “passion project,” I got 470 million results; “side hustle” got 67 million results. Articles like “50 ideas for a lucrative side hustle” and “14 reasons to start a passion project” are everywhere.

There’s an abundance of advice about why you should start a passion project, but no one talks about when to end a passion project. When I googled “end a passion project” the results were mostly things like “how to stop procrastinating on your passion project.” That’s why I thought it would be valuable to share why I ended my passion project. Maybe you’re in the same place I was and need some help deciding. I hope this is useful for you.

Here’s why I ended my passion project.

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A Conversation with Quajay Donnell & Jessica Gasbarre: For the Love of Memes

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A Conversation with Quajay Donnell & Jessica Gasbarre: For the Love of Memes

This is the ninth post in the “A Conversation With” series, where I interview talented folks about their areas of expertise, whether that’s social media, communications, or PR. You can read past entries in the series here.

This month, I interviewed two meme enthusiasts, Quajay Donnell and Jessica Gasbarre. We discussed the definition of a meme, what makes a good one, and why they’re so popular. I hope you enjoy their insights!

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12 Things Not to Do on LinkedIn

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12 Things Not to Do on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a strange platform. While it can be great for networking and professional purposes, many people seem unsure of how to use the platform well. It can lead to inappropriate behaviors and cringey mistakes. In order to use LinkedIn effectively, you need to understand its purpose and why you’re there.

So, what is LinkedIn for? LinkedIn is a much more formal platform than Twitter or Instagram. It’s designed for creating a compelling profile to highlight your professional experience and connecting with people in your field. Ultimately, the goal is to craft a strong network that helps you move forward in your career.

What is LinkedIn not for? So many things! It’s not a dating site. It’s not a sales platform. It’s not for making new friends. Here are 12 things you should not do on LinkedIn.

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