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with nostalgia constructed proper in, however the #TBT (or #ThrowbackThursday) hashtag in some way by no means will get outdated.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 the way to 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 commonest on Twitter and Instagram, yow will discover it used everywhere in the web.
TBT or Throwback Thursday posts will be selfies, audio or video recordings, and even textual content describing a reminiscence or a previous occasion. It’s a useful excuse to dredge up a reminiscence from the previous. (In actual fact, it may not even be a very good reminiscence — a Throwback Thursday put up might additionally play properly because the “earlier than” to a “earlier than and after” put up.)
When did TBT begin?
The historical past of this social media pattern truly 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 reviews {that a} man named Bobby first introduced the #ThrowbackThursday hashtag to life on Instagram with this photograph of Sizzling Wheels in 2011:
Folks 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.
In fact, you don’t wish to maintain your followers hostage when you present them each web page of a household photograph album (metaphorically talking), so it’s greatest to stay with simply one among these throwback days. You’ll doubtless get probably the most traction in case you use the preferred.
Why must you use #TBT?
Okay, so we’ve established what it’s, however why on earth must you put up your personal Throwback Thursday? Nicely, it usually makes for excellent content material on your model. Right here’s why.
It’s enjoyable.
Except it actually doesn’t align together with your social media technique, sharing the occasional TBT put up is a simple solution to have somewhat 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, trying again on the previous is a good way to maintain it mild and playful.
It boosts engagement.
Folks love something that appears like a peek behind the scenes or insider entry, so #TBT posts usually see robust engagement. You may even construct a call-to-action proper into the throwback. Put up 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.
When you’re getting robust engagement, the algorithm will share your put up extra broadly (yup, that is true on mainly each social platform). And in case you’re increasing your attain, you’re introducing potential new followers to your model. When you’ve received enjoyable, fascinating 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 give you recent angles or new methods to current your content material. And whereas TBT shouldn’t be the one factor you put up, it’s a superb solution to supply common, partaking content material. In spite of everything, Thursday rolls round as soon as per week.
7 concepts to encourage your subsequent TBT put up
Now that you realize the ins and outs of Throwback Thursday, it’s time to begin placing it into apply. Listed here are some nice examples which may assist encourage you to achieve 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 will 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 liked most:
You don’t want the legacy of America’s favourite pastime to get into the spirit, although.
Manufacturers of any measurement can get in on the enjoyable by exhibiting the evolution of their workplace over time. This firm has been in the identical workplace for the reason that Nineteen Seventies, which makes for some nice earlier than and after pictures:
2. Go retro
In actual fact, in case you’ve received any form of old-school pictures or movies kicking round from you, your life or your model, it’s all the time an awesome thought to dig them out for TBT. Not solely do they make for fascinating captions, however they normally look aesthetically pleasing, so that they break up the monotony of somebody’s timeline.
The Particular Olympics Minnesota is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this yr, so that they’ve been trying again on the previous with every Throwback Thursday. Some 19 years later, these pictures from 2004 appear to be 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 recreation 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 among the most infectious traits you’ll be able to have on-line, and Throwback Thursday is an ideal time to show you’re recreation for fun. When all else fails, use the hashtag as an excuse to get foolish.
Well being influencer Dr. Shriram Nene proved he’s a very good 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 put up 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 the way to 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 value remembering, TBT is a good time to put up one thing from the previous. Use outdated ephemera — assume posters, ticket stubs or different enjoyable objects — to focus on a novel milestone out of your model’s historical past.
The official Twitter for the Black Sabbath web page frequently marks time with TBT posts, posting ticket stubs for concert events that occurred on that day prior to now:
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 put up highlighting the ups and downs of its run:
Hey guys? Love you guys. 🥺 As our present about loss of life involves an in depth, 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 received 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 indicate how far you’ve come as a model by sharing your unique merchandise. Simply be sure your put up 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 recreation with this put up 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 chance to showcase an outdated comedian e book from the late Fifties:
Because it’s #ThrowbackThursday, let’s journey again to the Fifties for some #KatyKeene style enjoyable! pic.twitter.com/YCStUBaWSO
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) January 12, 2023
BMW makes use of its BMW Basic account to focus on its historical past of gorgeous vehicles. Right here’s a put up that makes use of the #ThrowbackThursday hashtag effectively:
6. …or share a brand new product
TBT also can immediately drive gross sales, notably in case you focus on classic, vintage or in any other case old-timey objects. Listed here 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 unit, an organization that reissues traditional 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 ascertain authority in your business, make a degree, 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 strong launch pad for an entire narrative that establishes them as an business chief. This 1974 pic of a Boeing over Mount Rainier factors readers to a listicle about how the jet modified the flight business:
#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 business: 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 wherever. As an alternative, he makes use of his TBT to make a degree about bodily promoting with a photograph of a FUBU billboard from again within the day:
Lately a variety of manufacturers are fixated on their digital presence. For good cause, however research are additionally exhibiting that, post-covid, persons are extremely receptive to bodily advertisements. That is to not say you want a billboard, however bear in mind to assume exterior 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. Nevertheless it’s a part of a much bigger marketing campaign as a result of it factors to a brand new health e-book accessible in his bio:
Throwback Thursday greatest practices
Prepared to begin creating your personal TBT posts? Simply hold the following pointers in thoughts.
Put up on a Thursday
It goes with out saying that you must do the Thursday hashtag on, effectively, the precise day in its title. In case your viewers spans a number of time zones, strive posting early within the morning to make sure you’re not exhibiting up too late to the get together. It varies from app to app, however we propose you put up on Instagram between 9 a.m. and midday.
Use the hashtags
When you’re going to take part within the hashtag, you must 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 put up to indicate up on the clickable tag. Don’t be shy! Use each #TBT and #ThrowbackThursday.
Share outdated content material
Once more, it may appear apparent, nevertheless it bears repeating. The entire level of Throwback Thursday is to throw it again to one thing from the previous. Be sure your posts embody outdated content material. And ensure it’s clear that the content material is outdated — you don’t wish to confuse customers into considering a product you now not have accessible 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 style 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 put up
When you’re searching for a TBT shortcut, Hootsuite’s received you coated.
Our Content material Inspiration tab is a useful useful resource that helps you create posts in document time. (We suggest bookmarking it whether or not you’re searching for a put up template for Throwback Thursday or one thing else fully.)
Simply comply with these steps:
1. Navigate to the Content material Inspiration tab. Be sure to’re logged into your Hootsuite account.
2. Click on into the Throwback Thursday thought. This can supply an summary of the idea.
3. (Non-compulsory) 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 of full your Throwback Thursday put up with out even leaving the Hootsuite dashboard.
5. Replace your imagery. You may 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 matter.
7. Publish your put up. Hootsuite saves all your social accounts when you’ve related them, so you’ll be able to simply select from the dropdown menu.
With Hootsuite you’ll be able to arrange streams to watch hashtags—together with #TBT—and see how successfully you’re utilizing them. Attempt it free as we speak.
Do it higher with Hootsuite, the all-in-one social media device. Keep up to the mark, develop, and beat the competitors.
