Some hashtags really feel like quaint relics of an web previous. However there’s one throwback hashtag that may by no means exit of fashion: #TBT.
Perhaps it’s as a result of this hashtag comes with nostalgia constructed proper in, however the #TBT (or #ThrowbackThursday) hashtag one way or the other by no means will get outdated. It appeals to folks’s deep want to share their favourite moments from the previous.
In different phrases, #TBT is right here to remain. Right here’s how one can use it in 2023.
What does TBT imply?
TBT stands for “Throwback Thursday.” Social media customers use this hashtag on posts that “throwback” to an older model of themselves. Whereas the hashtag is most typical on Twitter and Instagram, yow will discover it used everywhere in the web.
TBT or Throwback Thursday posts may be selfies, audio or video recordings, and even textual content describing a reminiscence or a previous occasion. It’s a helpful excuse to dredge up a reminiscence from the previous. (In truth, it may not even be a superb reminiscence — a Throwback Thursday publish may additionally play properly because the “earlier than” to a “earlier than and after” publish.)
When did TBT begin?
The historical past of this social media development really goes again fairly far. Vox says that blogger Mark Halfhill was one of many first to make use of the phrase on his sneaker weblog in 2006, whereas Time stories {that a} man named Bobby first introduced the #ThrowbackThursday hashtag to life on Instagram with this photograph of Sizzling Wheels in 2011:
Individuals now love throwing it again a lot that they’ve developed a sequence of competing hashtags for various days of the week, together with #MondayMemories, #TakeMeBackTuesday, #WaybackWednesday and #FlashbackFriday.
After all, you don’t need to maintain your followers hostage whilst you present them each web page of a household photograph album (metaphorically talking), so it’s greatest to stay with simply one in every of these throwback days. You’ll doubtless get essentially the most traction should you use the most well-liked.
Why must you use #TBT?
Okay, so we’ve established what it’s, however why on earth must you publish your personal Throwback Thursday? Properly, it usually makes for good content material in your model. Right here’s why.
It’s enjoyable.
Until it actually doesn’t align together with your social media technique, sharing the occasional TBT publish is an easy solution to have slightly enjoyable. Whether or not you’re laughing about your early model flubs or posting pics of your very first workplace in your mother and father’ storage, wanting again on the previous is a good way to maintain it gentle and playful.
It boosts engagement.
Individuals love something that seems like a peek behind the scenes or insider entry, so #TBT posts usually see sturdy engagement. You possibly can even construct a call-to-action proper into the throwback. Publish the primary draft of your marketing strategy and ask folks to share their early concepts within the feedback, or encourage readers to tag you in a throwback of their promenade photograph.
It expands your attain.
For those who’re getting sturdy engagement, the algorithm will share your publish extra broadly (yup, that is true on principally each social platform). And should you’re increasing your attain, you’re introducing potential new followers to your model. For those who’ve obtained enjoyable, attention-grabbing or distinctive TBT content material, you’ll construct model consciousness and acquire new followers very quickly.
It occurs each week.
We get it — it’s laborious to provide you with recent angles or new methods to current your content material. And whereas TBT shouldn’t be the one factor you publish, it’s a superb solution to supply common, partaking content material. In any case, Thursday rolls round as soon as every week.
7 concepts to encourage your subsequent TBT publish
Now that the ins and outs of Throwback Thursday, it’s time to begin placing it into apply. Listed below are some nice examples that may assist encourage you to succeed in TBT greatness.
1. Location, location, location
TBT is all about nostalgia, and few issues tug on the heartstrings fairly like remembering the locations from our pasts. Posting up a spot from your personal historical past may be a good way to rake within the TBT likes.
The MLB tapped into nostalgia whereas opening up the remark part by asking their followers to touch upon which outdated ballpark they beloved most:
You don’t want the legacy of America’s favourite pastime to get into the spirit, although.
Manufacturers of any dimension can get in on the enjoyable by exhibiting the evolution of their workplace through the years. This firm has been in the identical workplace for the reason that Nineteen Seventies, which makes for some nice earlier than and after images:
2. Go retro
In truth, should you’ve obtained any form of old-school images or movies kicking round from you, your life or your model, it’s all the time an incredible concept to dig them out for TBT. Not solely do they make for attention-grabbing captions, however they normally look aesthetically pleasing, in order that they break up the monotony of somebody’s timeline.
The Particular Olympics Minnesota is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months, in order that they’ve been wanting again on the previous with every Throwback Thursday. Some 19 years later, these images from 2004 appear like a blast from the previous:
MMA fighter John Maguire had these pics of his Ninja Turtles assortment in 1990 and managed to recreate it for a satisfying before-and-after TBT in 2023:
On a classier degree, the BBC Symphony Orchestra hopped on the hashtag to boast about their double bassoon sport means again in 1942:
📸Double bassoon in 1942, with principal Archie Camden. #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/w1K50kklQq
— BBC Symphony Orchestra & Refrain (@BBCSO) January 12, 2023
3. Awkward enjoyable
Humor is without doubt one of the most infectious traits you possibly can have on-line, and Throwback Thursday is an ideal time to show you’re sport for amusing. When all else fails, use the hashtag as an excuse to get foolish.
Well being influencer Dr. Shriram Nene proved he’s a superb sport and in on the joke when he shared this hilarious promenade pic from his “awkward teenage years” for TBT:
Nothing like our awkward teenage years, proper? #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/YIgFQbIW34
— Dr. Shriram Nene (@DoctorNene) December 8, 2022
Different radio DJ St. Pete Sam pulled off a double whammy by incorporating the #NationalBaconDay hashtag into her TBT publish with this slow-motion video of herself munching on some bacon:
in honor of it being #nationalbaconday, right here’s an excellent awkward #tbt video of me consuming bacon with @budlight at #kegsandeggs in 2019. 😂🥓 @stpetesam #bacon #budlight #brandambassador pic.twitter.com/6RdCx3INAd
— 97X (@97xonair) December 30, 2021
Writer Patricia Cornwell upped the ante with some ’90s cheese, posting a TBT pic straight out of 90210:
Right here’s a tacky pic taken in California after I was studying how one can scuba dive (mid-nineties).💕🤿#TBT pic.twitter.com/mVGpSc9E35
— Patricia Cornwell (@1pcornwell) December 8, 2022
4. Mark a milestone
Whether or not it’s an anniversary, a birthday or any outdated event price remembering, TBT is a good time to publish one thing from the previous. Use outdated ephemera — suppose posters, ticket stubs or different enjoyable gadgets — to spotlight a singular milestone out of your model’s historical past.
The official Twitter for the Black Sabbath web page repeatedly marks time with TBT posts, posting ticket stubs for live shows that occurred on that day previously:
January 12, 1999
Seattle, Washington#tbt #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/sCOAkBZ7jO— BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) January 12, 2023
The Broadway model of Beetlejuice celebrated its remaining present in NYC with a TBT publish highlighting the ups and downs of its run:
Hey guys? Love you guys. 🥺 As our present about loss of life involves a detailed, we’re dedicating this #TBT to a few of our favourite #BeetlejuiceBway moments. pic.twitter.com/lEtr7TqBDi
— Beetlejuice on Broadway (@BeetlejuiceBway) January 5, 2023
The Home of Blues took it a step additional and paid tribute to the late rapper DMX, sharing a clip from his remaining present at their venue to mark what would have been his 52nd birthday:
In honor of DMX’s birthday on Sunday, we obtained a BIG #tbt when he performed his final Chicago present at Home of Blues on Might 4, 2019! ❤️ 🖤
RIP a rap icon, hip-hop legend and Ruff Ryder, @DMX 🙏🐕🦺 pic.twitter.com/VVhCogsyrY
— Home of Blues Chicago (@HOBChicago) December 15, 2022
5. Share an outdated product
Throwback Thursday can also be nice to point out how far you’ve come as a model by sharing your unique merchandise. Simply be certain your publish is clearly labeled as being from the previous, so that you don’t confuse your viewers!
The London-based recumbent bicycle model Brompton demonstrated simply how lengthy they’ve been within the sport with this publish of their 1977 mannequin, The Fold:
#TBT to our awkward pre teenage years! The Fold from 1977! #MyBrompton #MadeForCities pic.twitter.com/NRAU9DKqJ6
— Brompton Bicycle (@BromptonBicycle) June 29, 2021
Archie Comics went much more retro, utilizing Throwback Thursday as a possibility to showcase an outdated comedian guide from the late Nineteen Fifties:
Because it’s #ThrowbackThursday, let’s journey again to the Nineteen Fifties for some #KatyKeene trend enjoyable! pic.twitter.com/YCStUBaWSO
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) January 12, 2023
BMW makes use of its BMW Basic account to spotlight its historical past of lovely cars. Right here’s a publish that makes use of the #ThrowbackThursday hashtag nicely:
6. …or share a brand new product
TBT may straight drive gross sales, significantly should you concentrate on classic, vintage or in any other case old-timey gadgets. Listed below are some examples of how folks use the hashtag to promote.
Nothing ages fairly like wine, so Ranchero Cellars cleverly makes use of the hashtag to promote this classic vino from 2010 — a product they nonetheless have on the market.
Shout! Manufacturing facility, an organization that reissues basic TV on Blu-ray and DVD, equally used the hashtag to advertise their new Little Rascals field set:
7. Name to motion
As a result of they’re so partaking, Throwback Thursday posts are highly effective methods to determine authority in your trade, make some extent, or drive site visitors to an article or name to motion on a product.
Boeing is discontinuing its 747 jets, however they’ve used that as a robust launch pad for an entire narrative that establishes them as an trade chief. This 1974 pic of a Boeing over Mount Rainier factors readers to a listicle about how the jet modified the flight trade:
#TBT The unique 747 soars excessive above Mount Rainier in Washington state in 1974. 🛫 Although manufacturing is ending on the 747, the primary jumbo jet’s legacy will endure for many years.
Discover seven 747 improvements that modified the trade: https://t.co/bKHKETd9Nq pic.twitter.com/WRV4LWxZ9h
— The Boeing Firm (@Boeing) January 5, 2023
Shark Tank host Daymond John doesn’t have to hyperlink out anyplace. As a substitute, he makes use of his TBT to make some extent about bodily promoting with a photograph of a FUBU billboard from again within the day:
Today numerous manufacturers are fixated on their digital presence. For good purpose, however research are additionally exhibiting that, post-covid, individuals are extremely receptive to bodily advertisements. That is to not say you want a billboard, however keep in mind to suppose outdoors the telephone!#TBT #FUBU pic.twitter.com/2D0ftmf9VT
— Daymond John (@TheSharkDaymond) August 11, 2022
Arnold Schwarzenegger leans into his standing as a strolling meme with these comical outdated pics of his former health pamphlets. But it surely’s a part of an even bigger marketing campaign as a result of it factors to a brand new health e book obtainable in his bio:
Throwback Thursday greatest practices
Prepared to begin creating your personal TBT posts? Simply maintain the following tips in thoughts.
Publish on a Thursday
It goes with out saying that it’s best to do the Thursday hashtag on, nicely, the precise day in its title. In case your viewers spans a number of time zones, attempt posting early within the morning to make sure you’re not exhibiting up too late to the social gathering. It varies from app to app, however we recommend you publish on Instagram between 9 a.m. and midday.
Use the hashtags
For those who’re going to take part within the hashtag, you need to use the hashtag! Whereas it’s true that social media websites have tailored to make use of context clues and captions in searches, you continue to need your publish to point out up on the clickable tag. Don’t be shy! Use each #TBT and #ThrowbackThursday.
Share outdated content material
Once more, it may appear apparent, however it bears repeating. The entire level of Throwback Thursday is to throw it again to one thing from the previous. Make sure that your posts embrace outdated content material. And ensure it’s clear that the content material is outdated — you don’t need to confuse customers into pondering a product you now not have obtainable has come again.
Have a plan
Some intelligent copywriting could make TBT an integral a part of your advertising plan. Perhaps you’re about to launch your newest trend line — why not level to it by throwing again to your first-ever launch? These sorts of benchmarks will assist spotlight simply how far you’ve come as a model.
The quickest solution to create your personal Throwback Thursday publish
For those who’re searching for a TBT shortcut, Hootsuite’s obtained you coated.
Our Content material Inspiration tab is a helpful useful resource that helps you create posts in report time. (We suggest bookmarking it whether or not you’re searching for a publish template for Throwback Thursday or one thing else completely.)
Simply comply with these steps:
1. Navigate to the Content material Inspiration tab. Be sure you’re logged into your Hootsuite account.
2. Click on into the Throwback Thursday concept. This can supply an outline of the idea.
3. (Elective) Click on Extra about this concept. The dropdown menu will supply loads of thought-starters to encourage your TBT.
4. Click on Use this concept. You’ll be capable to full your Throwback Thursday publish with out even leaving the Hootsuite dashboard.
5. Replace your imagery. You possibly can add a number of pics, or use our cool cassette graphic.
6. Customise your caption. Use the prompts as a place to begin to make it your personal. Along with #ThrowbackThursday and #TBT, add a few hashtags that relate to your subject.
7. Publish your publish. Hootsuite saves all your social accounts when you’ve linked them, so you possibly can simply select from the dropdown menu.
With Hootsuite you possibly can arrange streams to observe hashtags—together with #TBT—and see how successfully you’re utilizing them. Attempt it free right this moment.
Do it higher with Hootsuite, the all-in-one social media instrument. Keep up to the mark, develop, and beat the competitors.