The word “social” defined is the interaction of people within a group, and, more casually, the pleasurable passing of time with friends or associates. If you take this definition into the realm of social media engagement, you will get one of the basics of how to engage existing followers and gain new ones.
Here are 5 quick “social” tips to increase engagement from your fans and followers:
1. Entertain
One of the number one uses of social media like Facebook and YouTube is for the entertainment value. People share funny videos, captivating photos, interesting quotes and much more. So entertain your fans and followers! You don’t have to go overboard. Cute animal photos, or even a funny photo of a coworker will show the human side of your business–just make sure it’s tasteful and that whoever oversees marketing for your company approves it first.
2. Get Visual
The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is true. Images immediately engage the eye. Balance visual components of a posting with a short, interesting caption.
3. Spark Curiosity
Most people are naturally curious. Spark curiosity through participation. Ask personal, meaningful questions that are relevant to the area of interest they’re following. Ask What, Where, When, How and Should questions. Quizzes are also great social media engagement tools.
4. Share Knowledge
Giving information that is educational and useful establishes you as an expert in your area of business. Share tips of the week and interesting facts. It’s okay to share information about your business too. After all, if you’ve got fans and followers already, it’s because they’re interested in what your company has to offer. A running timeline of your business’ founding and history, or its founder’s background, published in increments is a great way to engage your fans without “selling” a specific item or service.
5. Respond
If a fan comments on a post or tweet, make sure to respond, whether it’s with a simple thank you or by answering a question. Your fans and followers will know you care and are in touch with their interests and needs. You can also take the first step, and ask your followers if they have any specific requests or questions regarding your services or products.
One final note: always monitor your social media network on a daily basis to make sure you don’t miss any communication from your fan base. See our post, Apps to Make Your Social Marketing Efforts Easier, for tools to help you do this.