Have you been experiencing frustration in your attempts to get your posts noticed on social media? Maybe you’ve rolled out post after post but you simply aren’t getting the engagement or traction you’re looking for. The good news is that there are lots of little tips and tricks you can utilize to get increased engagement from your followers. Read on to find out what they are.
Be Authentic
People respond to realness. They like to know that others feel the same way they do. Tell a story. Show your human side and don’t be afraid of vulnerability.
Feel It
Your audience should feel something: Inspired, happy, relieved, sad, nostalgic, motivated. Whatever the feeling, make sure it’s present because those feelings are what will bring your audience back time and again.
Keep it Simple
Keep your paragraphs short, no longer than 3 sentences. This style keeps readers engaged and entertained and more likely to read till the end of the post.
Less is More
Try to limit blog posts to 1,500 words. Even the most avid reader will lose interest in a story that carries on endlessly. Delete the fillers and unnecessary explanations. Stick to the point and get there in time.
Give it Away
The truth is that when you’re just starting out, people aren’t going to want to pay for what you have to offer. Once you have a loyal following, they will, but it will take some time to get there. In the meantime, just give it away.
Try Just Text
Some posts are better kept to just text, as a video or photo can actually take away from what you’re trying to get across to your audience.
Minimalist Pictures
Don’t overdo it with the photo; let it simply be an enhancement of your post, not the whole message. In the same vein, be careful when using stock images. The internet is saturated with them, which means that they are not likely to draw any special attention from your audience.
Focus: Headline and Feature Image
When sharing your blog posts on social media, make sure your headline and feature image are attention-grabbing. The idea is that a user should pause in their scrolling when they see it. Disclaimer: an attention-grabbing headline is not the same thing as click bait. No one likes click bait and making that mistake even once can have a negative effect on your future posts.
Stay Humble
When speaking about your personal experiences, be careful not to brag. Posts that are brimming over with ego will be given a wide berth by the majority of the audience you are trying to attract. When telling your story, tell it from the perspective of what your readers can gain rather than how much you have to offer.
Inspire to Action
Keep it inspirational; keep it motivating and give your audience clear steps they can follow to make it work. It’s about adding value and delivering workable solutions, not just getting likes.
Collaborate
A great way to engage an audience is to collaborate with another person on social media who already has the kind of audience you are trying to attract.
There are a couple of ways to go about it:
- Email them and request a collaboration, or for them to share your posts or vice versa.
- Build a relationship with them on social media, or by email or chat and then ask them if you can tag them in your posts.
Don’t take advantage of these collaborations by overdoing it and try not to tag them without asking them first. That’s not good social media manners.
Kindness Costs Nothing
When readers and followers message you, respond. Help others who are just starting out – write the post, share the photo, do the shout-out, say thank you often. It’s the little things that gain you a loyal following.
Support Good Causes
There are a lot of causes on social media. When you see one that speaks to you, share it and support it. Don’t do it to get an audience; but to spread good and kindness.
Well, there you have it readers. Try these the next time you post something. By tweaking things just a little, you can get the social media gains you’re looking for.
