7 Simple Tips To Increase Social Media Engagement For Your Business

If you want your business to take off on social media, you’re going to need to engage with your followers. Of course, this can be easier said than done.

Knowing how to increase social media engagement can prove to be a conundrum for even an internet-savvy company, let alone one that has yet to dip its toe in social media waters. But engaging with followers and fans is actually easier than you think, providing you’re willing to put the work in.

We could share a plethora of hints and tips that would help you on your way, but we’ve decided to whittle it down to a magnificent seven to keep things easy.

So, without further ado, here are our seven simple tips to help you increase social media engagement.

1. Share & Share Alike

You remember how you were always told as a child to share? Well that’s something that still holds true in the world of social media.

Sharing is one of the keys to social media success. The likes of Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter all offer you a platform from which to show the world what you’re capable of. So go ahead and share links to your website and blog. Share reviews about your latest product. Share news about your company. Basically, if you think your followers will enjoy it, share it!

But don’t restrict yourself to sharing your own content. There’s no reason you shouldn’t share other people’s material. Read a blog you like? Share it. Seen an inspirational picture? Share it. Heard some good news? Share it. Furthermore, be sure to share content from your fans and followers. Not only does this give your other followers something to enjoy, it also serves as a pat on the back for the fan you’re sharing from. That’s a double whammy you can’t say no to.

2. Pretty as a Picture

Something as simple as a picture can send social media engagement through the roof.

One thing you’ll learn as you go along is that it’s not necessary to come up with amazing new concepts and plans to increase social media engagement. In fact, sometimes thinking well within the box is best. Adding a picture can help your post or tweet stand out from the pack as your followers scroll down their timeline. It can also spark debate and conversation, not to mention convincing people to click the share or retweet button.

The type of picture you share can vary wildly. From photos of your latest product to infographics detailing your industry via a beautiful landscape emblazoned with a motivational quote, the world is your oyster when it comes to social media.

3. Ask & You Shall Receive

A simple question can become a portal to heated debates, ground breaking ideas and long-hidden secrets. It can also help you increase social media engagement.

Questions are a great way to interact with your fans and followers. Ask them what they think of your latest product and you’ll probably get the best market research you’ve known. Ask them what they would like to see from you in the future and you’ll find yourself in a brainstorming session like no other. Ask them how they’re feeling and you’ll have a fan that wants your brand to succeed.

There are a variety of ways in which you can ask questions of your following. You can simply ask a question flat out and wait for a response. You can offer a multiple choice question with answers. You can include a poll. You can even use the very popular technique of asking your fans to fill in the blank. Mix it up a little and you’ll have a brain trust that will carry your business forward.

For a little fun, throw in the odd riddle or brainteaser. Social media should be fun after all.

4. It’s Not the Winning, It’s the Taking Part

Everybody wants something for nothing which is why competitions are and will always be popular. The world of social media is no different.

A good competition can help increase social media interaction exponentially. Competitions can be simple. Like and share contests can be seen all over Facebook. These require a person to do nothing more than click a couple of buttons. You can get a little more advanced if you like and make people think. Perhaps they can answer a question. Maybe they would enjoy a little online scavenger hunt. Get creative and see what happens.

In terms of prizes, you don’t need to break the bank to offer one of 50 iPads or the latest Samsung Galaxy. Money-off vouchers and free samples can be equally as effective. Of course, we all want to win but the taking part can be rewarding. If you take the time to thank everybody that enters your competition personally, you’ll sell yourself as a company that cares about its following. People like to be thanked, for whatever small reason, so your followers will look favourably upon you even if they don’t win.

5. Go Behind the Curtain

How about we let you in on a secret? People love being let in on secrets.

Probably the least obvious tip on this list, we recommend that you give your fans and followers a behind the scenes look at your company. You can share photos and videos of any number of things, including your office, staff, manufacturing process, or just about anything else. This will give your followers an insight into what it is you do and, more importantly, who you are.

As mentioned above, you can also share your plans for the future, including any upcoming products you’ll be selling. This gives your followers the opportunity to learn insider knowledge before over their friends, something everybody secretly or not-so-secretly longs for. All of this equates to a fan that is interested in your brand and will be more likely to engage with your future posts.

6. Keep It Simple, Stupid

In order to increase social media engagement, you need to keep things simple.

All of the above tips can be completed without too much effort, both on your part and the part of the person that will be viewing your post. If you’re going to post text, make sure you’re only writing a sentence or two. Anything longer is likely to be dismissed immediately. If you’re asking a question, try to direct the answer and avoid being too vague. This is why polls and fill in the blank questions can be so useful. If you’re posting a video, make sure it’s fairly short. As good as it looks, nobody really want to watch your 40-minute opus. A two-minute video is likely to garner more hits. Whatever you choose to post, just make sure you keep it simple.

7. Rules of Engagement

If you expect engagement from your fans and followers, you need to be engaged yourself.

Believe it or not, you can follow all of the above tips and still not increase social media engagement for your business. In fact, you can follow all of those tips and very easily fail in your mission to successfully promote your brand. Why, you ask? Simple, you can’t expect your follows to engage unless you’re willing to engage yourself.

If you truly want to increase social media engagement, you must be willing to get out there and mingle. After you’ve broadcast your message, be it status update, picture, video, or anything else, make sure you follow up. Respond to comments. Answer questions. Share your expertise. Don’t limit yourself to your own posts either. See what your followers have to say and see how you can get involved. Answer their questions. Like their posts. Share their content. But don’t plague them with self-promotional advertising. They won’t appreciate it and in the world of social media, that means you’ll have one less fan, one less follower, one less connection.

Follow the above seven tips and you should see an increase in your social media engagement sooner rather than later. Then, once you’ve got these tips down, start experimenting to find out if there are others ways to increase social media engagement for your business.