It’s no secret by now that the secret sauce to having a strong (and lucrative) social media presence is having strong social media engagement. Currently, there is a long list of terms that social media marketers use to define social media engagement. Organic likes paid likes, shares, comments, and links clicked — these are all terms that play a great factor in your overall social media engagement “score.” But, what are the actions you can take today that impact those metrics?
We curated a list of strategies that you can implement now that’ll improve your social media engagement tomorrow, the next day and forever if you continue executing them. Here are our top 5 ways to boost your social media engagement:
Answer the questions your audience is already is asking
It’s easy to tell your audience that your product is the best. But, adding value by explaining how your product is used… that’s social media engagement gold. Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re a photographer, and you’re trying to book more clients. Instead of posting a ton of beautiful photos (which you should still do occasionally), you could post information about the best outfits to wear to a photography session. Or what time of day is best to be photographed. Or, if you want to get bold, you could post your different cost levels/package prices. These are all questions your audience is likely asking, and by coming out with your answers right away, you’re showing transparency. If you’re providing them free value on the front end, they’ll be more likely to buy from you later.
Focus on the prospect, not the product
Instead of always telling your audience about what you offer, focus on the client that uses the product. If you own a gym, don’t only focus on your high-end equipment or your flexible hours. Focus on the people who use your gym. What kind of results have they seen from your program? How has your product improved their life? By focusing on the prospect and their needs, you’re making the product about them. They can more easily visualize what their experience with your product will be like. And, they’ll be more likely to engage with your content because it feels like you’re speaking directly to them and their pain points. Focus on the prospect, not the product.
Add VALUE!
This can’t be stressed enough. Whatever product or service you’re selling; you should constantly strive to add value in your social media presence. What does this look like? It looks like…
- Posting tips
- Writing blogs
- Giving away free content (e-books, podcasts)
- Providing life hacks
Let’s go back to the gym example. If you want to add value to your audience, then you should be posting workout videos they can do at home. Free recipes. Podcasts featuring people in the fitness industry. The list goes on and on. More than half of your social media content should be a free value that you’re giving to your consumer. Soon enough, they’ll start coming to your content regularly because they know you offer something great. Then, when they’re ready to make a purchase, you’ll be top of mind.
Tell stories
People remember and respond to stories. It’s a fact. You can tell your audience that your product delivers results, or you can tell them a story about a client who had their life completely improved or transformed by your product or service. They’ll remember the story — every time. Make sure your social media strategy includes a steady stream of client testimonies or stories of how you have personally used the product or service. You should always be the number one ambassador and believer in whatever you’re selling.
Promote your enthusiasts
Piggybacking off the storytelling strategy, you should always promote brand enthusiasts when possible. This can be as big as dedicating an entire blog post to a client, or as small as retweeting a positive review. Whenever someone gives your product or service a thumbs up, you need to be sharing that so others can see it. This not only strengthens your relationship with that existing client (hello, retention!), but it also allows your broader audience to see that your product is legitimate. By promoting your enthusiasts, you also encourage others to review your product when they have a pleasant experience because they know you’ll likely share their words. It’s a win-win for all.