Social media has become an integral business tool that even a small, one person salon can make use of. Are you paying any attention to the statement you make online? If you Google yourself or your salon, what comes up? Did you know that every post matters? How about the hundreds of hashtags? Do you know what a hashtag is?

I took a two hour social media class in Chicago on Monday night. Let me make a side note to express how disappointing it was to see so few people in the class. The class was only $35, so I am curious why every nail professional in the area was not there? If I can drive six hours there and back with the expense of fuel and tolls, those in the area could make time. OK let’s get back on track before I get distracted by the tangent of ignoring education that doesn’t come to your front door. The class was offered by Cosmetologists Chicago, yes it was geared toward hair; however, it was at least social media education tailored to salons. We are nail professionals, which means when the presenter says hair stylist, I have the creativity to insert nail technician and utilize the valuable tools she offered. It was a very valuable class!

There was a great point she brought up that I feel should be shared with you so that as small businesses we can be more visible and successful. Facebook has started looking at posts with more than three hashtags as spam and not letting them onto as many newsfeeds. This means if you use 20 hashtags on your Instagram post that feeds onto your Facebook page, that’s why the views on that post are so low. Not because it came from Instagram, because you gave it more than three hashtags. Just a heads up so you can reign yourself in and have more effective posts. Hope that helps!