Seven Ways to Increase Your Social Media Engagement
NEED A BOOST ?
From Bennett Marketing By Devon Fleetwood
Seven Ways to Increase Your Social Media Engagement
In today ’ s fast-paced and interactive world , an ever-increasing number of people are able to surf the web for endless amounts of information . In fact , nearly 68 % of America ’ s population uses social media as its main source of gathering info according to World Stream . What ’ s even more interesting is that 62 % of the American population uses Facebook and roughly 51 % of the 500 million active users of Instagram use it daily — with even 35 % saying they use it multiple times a day ! So , for someone who is looking to increase both social interaction and their audience on social media one pivotal question should come to mind : How can I gain their attention ? Although this may be a hard question to answer , luckily I ’ m here to provide you with this easy-to-follow 7 step guide to increasing engagement on your on social media .
STEP 1 : ANALYZE AND MONOPOLIZE Knowing your audience is crucial in planning how you are going to market yourself . Whether you ’ re promoting a brand , a lifestyle , or simply just sharing a recently snapped pic , posting with viewers in mind is key to getting the most feedback . With most Instagram users being between 18 and 29 years old , it is important to curate your content to its specific audience when posting across multiple social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter . For instance , nearly 81 % of millennials check for updates on Twitter at least once per day making it the perfect place to promote things such as flash sales , new promotions , or any important PR updates . Through shares and retweets , knowing which platform to use when marketing content is key in driving brand awareness and displaying content to those who may not have seen it otherwise .
STEP 2 : CREATE CONTENT WITH CARE Social media and aesthetics go hand-inhand with many platforms such as Snapchat , Instagram and even Pinterest being highly centered on images . In fact , studies have shown that using images can have profound effects on increasing interaction with consumers . When creating content , it is key to make sure that what you present is visually appealing whilst providing the reader with information in an attractive manner .
STEP 3 : POST AT THE RIGHT TIME Knowing when to post is vital in optimizing your engagement with your audience . Although Saturday and Sunday boast the highest level of response for platforms such as Facebook and Pinterest , other mediums such as Instagram and LinkedIn receive the most traffic on Thursday . That being said , Thursday and Friday are generally the two best days to post during the weekday as viewers scroll through social media hoping that each swipe brings them closer to freedom . Knowing what time to post is also a key factor to take into account when optimizing engagement . 8 to 9 am during the week is the best time to captivate people in the morning as they prepare for their day and catch up on the latest news ; whereas 5 to 6 pm is an ideal time to post as commuters sit through traffic on their way home .
STEP 4 : CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS As I ’ m sure you know , everyone loves receiving free things and the sensation of having won something . By simply offering products to consumers via contests or giveaways , you can easily boost engagement on your social media platform . For example , in an effort to win a promotional product , consumers are willing to do things such as like your Facebook page , follow your Instagram account , or even tag some of their friends . What this means is that people are actively spreading awareness of your brand which allows you to reach more people and attract attention to your media . Just remember the key is that you must give something away in return for their help .
STEP 5 : TAG + LINK WITH OTHERS Associating your account with others in your industry is a great way to increase your network . Not only does it allow you to do things such as gain more traffic to your site or social media account , it also helps to increase brand awareness by connecting you with leaders and influencers in your industry who may be able to help your brand grow further . Building a strong reputation with others is crucial in establishing yourself as an industry leader with a voice that matters and having prominent friends in the industry doesn ’ t hurt .
STEP 6 : CAPTION TO CAPTIVATE Getting creative with hashtags and captions can help to not only show your personality and give depth to your account , but can also lead to increased interaction . Research shows that using hashtags on Twitter can double your engagement rate with your audience . It also makes it easier for followers to find your content on networks like Pinterest and Instagram , where hashtags work to both categorize and associate your content with specific social groups and target markets .
STEP 7 : ENGAGE The last key to increasing your engagement on social media is to well … engage . No one wants to feel as if their comments are meaningless and being left on read , which is why it is important to offer feedback and start a conversation with your followers . Statistics suggest that « 59 % of Americans with social media accounts think that customer service through social media has made it easier to get questions answered and issues resolved » making it a great platform to interact with customers . By simply liking a comment or even tagging your fans , you inspire them to build a community of likeminded individuals in which social interaction is prized . In the end , using these 7 steps can help to increase your engagement on nearly any social media platform . Whether you simply want more followers on your personal Instagram account or are trying to market new products to a wider audience , increasing interaction and generating discussion are key to the growth and expansion of any social media account .
REVEAL | Q2 2017 36