Engaging with the people around you in your day to day life is important… right?
Well, yes, but as we continue to grow into a more technologically based community, face to face engagement is at an all time low. We now look to measures of social media and online engagement for satisfaction, success and for that human connection that was once only face to face.
The way you engage with your audience on social media is important, and always will be important. It always gets me when people say, ‘my Instagram isn’t growing, but I post everyday’. Yes, you may be posting consistently, but are you engaging consistently? Are you replying to every comment you receive? And are you returning this act?
These questions are important for growth on social media. If you are a highly engaging account on Facebook and Instagram, these platforms reward you in their algorithms for doing so, and to your audience you are perceived as more trustworthy and genuine.
If you are looking to grow a following on social media, it’s a good idea to follow these six tips every time you post. Always think of the value that you provide to your audience.
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Say ‘Hi’ to new followers - Click over to their accounts and leave genuine comments about what THEY are posting about. This will let the person know that you have seen them, and that you now value them as part of your community.
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Like a lot of photos - It’s important to be seen in the Instagram community looking for your ideal customer and on the hunt for people who may not be searching for you.
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Ask a question - Post without focusing on the fear of getting no responses at all. That will happen, but you must train your audience to interact. Questions that only require a short reply are much more likely to get answered.
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Respond to all your comments - and I mean it!! If you want an awesome, interactive and genuine community on social media, you must acknowledge all comments and messages that come your way. Responding makes your followers more likely to comment in the future.
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Leave meaningful feedback - Don’t be the person that comments the same generic thing on every single post you scroll past. Be genuine when you engage on other accounts or skip the comment altogether.
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Include a call to action - do you want your followers to click a link to your blog or website, download a free resource, sign up to your newsletter or tag a friend? Get in the habit of telling people what you want them to do.
When trying to implement these tips into your own online presence, just remember, if you want to see a genuine side of your audience, you must be genuine first.
This blog was written by our Business Member Jess Cook from Socially Squared who manages all of ShireWomen's social media.
Reach out to Jess at jess@sociallysquared.com.au if you'd like some advice or assistance with your own socials.