3 simple strategies to boost your engagement on social media
Community is the buzzword of the year when it comes to social media marketing - And it’s about time too. Community-driven strategies work and have created some of the most successful brands. Building genuine connections with your audience is certainly one of the keys to success when it comes to social media. Fostering meaningful connections can make a significant difference when you come to sell your product or service.
Take it from me - I’ve spent the last 12 years building a personal brand and at least half of that time building a community of people in Milton Keynes who love independent food and drink. Communities work because people become actively involved, rather than passively viewing. What’s more, they will advocate for you far beyond the social media feed.
So if community is the fire, engagement is the heat and oxygen that fuels it. In this blog post, we’ll explore three straightforward strategies to help you engage with your community more effectively.
1. Go get that engagement
Instead of waiting for engagement to come to you, take the first step in reaching out to others within your niche or accounts who share your interests or values. This could involve starting conversations, sharing lighthearted comments, or offering insights on relevant topics. By proactively engaging with others, you can expand your network and increase your visibility within audiences that matters.
Oatly is a great example of this. Their Community Manager jumps on viral videos to keep Oatly front of mind and add to the conversation. You can read more about this strategy on LinkedIn.
We recently left a comment on a viral Reel on behalf of one of our client, Ueshima Coffee Company. They are a coffee brand, and the Reel suggested giving up coffee. The comment read: “Giving up coffee? We don’t even know what that means.” This comment had over 100 likes and led to new people discovering the brand. By actively participating in discussions and connecting with like-minded brands and accounts, you can grow your presence organically.
2. Don’t ghost your comments section
Being responsive to your community's interactions is essential for building trust and rapport. Whether it's replying to messages, acknowledging comments, or showing appreciation for tagged content, aim to respond within 24 hours. (Obvs if it’s a weekend, or you’re taking a break - that’s cool)
For instance, when someone shares content featuring your product or service, take the opportunity to engage with them and treat them like a good friend. Ask questions, express gratitude, or share additional information to build that connection. By being attentive and considerate in your responses, you can strengthen relationships with members of your community which puts your brand at the forefront of their conscience.
We do this successfully with my client, Ueshima Coffee Company. They are a well-known product-based brand that recieve a lot of tagged stories and posts where customers show how they enjoy their coffee. Instead of just reposting and liking the post, we respond with something like: “Thanks so much for sharing! We really hope you enjoyed your coffee - What’s your favourite blends so far?”
Agorapulse has a fantastic community management tool which means I can keep track of our most engaged followers and ensure I am responding to them in a way that feels real.
3. Give the community what they want (value!)
Creating content that resonates with your audience is crucial for keeping them engaged and interested. Take the time to understand their interests, preferences, and pain points, and tailor your content accordingly. Check out this blog post if you want to understand your target audience in more depth.
According to Hootsuite’s consumer social media report, social media users want to learn something new, be entertained or see something that makes them laugh. This won’t be relevant for every brand, but it’s worth exploring if a comedic or entertaining approach could work for you. A great starting point is to create content that is more about what your community needs than ‘you-centric.’
Experiment with different formats and topics to see what resonates best with your followers. By consistently delivering content that adds value to their lives, you can keep them coming back to your content for more.
Building stronger connections on social media requires genuine effort but it sure as hell pays off. By initiating conversations, responding in a meaningful way that feels real, and delivering value through your content, you can create a more engaged and loyal community on social media.
Ready to experiment? Join The Content Clinic!
If want to learn more about social media content strategy and come up with content ideas to engage your audience, consider joining The Content Clinic.
The Content Clinic is a space where you can share ideas, learn more about social media strategy, what is working for you and get live feedback on your content. We have two monthly workshops with one focussed on learning and one focussed on analysing what is working for you. You also get access to a WhatsApp community channel where you can ask for live feedback on your social media content.
Join before 1st May for just £42 a month. You’ll save £43 on the monthly subscription before the price increases to £85 a month from May.