Social media was a fun, easy way to connect with friends and family in the early days. It has since evolved into a global industry and powerful marketing tool. According to Statista, in 2021, 91.9 percent of U.S. marketers in companies larger than 100 employees were expected to use social media for marketing purposes. In 2013, the share stood at 86.2 percent.
While many businesses post content on their social media channels, they struggle to get engagement. Engagement is key to social media marketing success because it indicates resonance and depends on relationships cultivated over a long period. But what is engagement aside from likes, shares, or views? It’s a two-way conversation. It’s a finger on the pulse of what matters to your audience. It’s a way to bridge the gap between consumer and commodity. Audiences who engage with content are more likely to become customers because they have a relationship with the brand and trust what is being published.
But with over 90% of brands and businesses active on social media, how can you make sure that your content efforts stand out? Here are some fun and effective ways to drive social media engagement to get your audience talking and your business in front of more people.
Initiate the Conversation
One of the fastest ways to get engagement on social media is to start a conversation. Remember that if people are liking or following you it’s because you’re doing something right or creating something that they feel they can connect with. By having a dialogue with your audience, you will see an increase in brand awareness and results from your online efforts.
Mention your Top Fans
Deeply connect with your top fans by mentioning them directly. Being personally recognized by a brand gives your audience a feeling of worthy investment, which translates into brand loyalty.
Connect Content with Current Events
National holidays, hashtag holidays, local events, etc., post content that is relevant to current events for an easy engagement booster.
Promote UGC on your Brand Channel
User-generated content is a powerful asset because it shows real people using, loving, and championing your brand of their own volition. This generates trust among prospective customers.
Use Hashtags that Relate to Your Business
Hashtags are a global tagging system that makes content easily searchable. In addition, hashtagged content makes it more readily seen by an audience outside your fan group, hopefully drawing more people to your brand.
These are just a handful of ways to drive your brand or business engagement. Social media marketing success requires dedication, hard work, and consistency. We’d love to chat about your social media strategy. Send an email to ed@mittcom.com for a complimentary audit.
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