In our pursuit for growth, we tend to focus solely on the vanity metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and saves.
We may find ourselves being obsessed with chasing numbers, breaking through goals upon goals.
What we may fail to realize is that Social Media is called "social" for a reason. While we are occupied with trying to produce better results, better content, better videos, or better posts, we may forget where all of the growth is coming from - the people, your audience.
Don't just ask them for likes and comments, saves, or shares. Appreciate them, engage with them, give them the same effort, care, and attention you want them to give you. While you're at it, make sure to be genuine. Keep the conversation going.
Treat your business account like it's a person. When you don't speak much when you don't smile and barely move, how do you expect others to be like and talk to you?
Here are some steps that are necessary to take to improve your engagement:
Keep Conversations Going
When someone engages with you, you must reciprocate.
Keep the wheel rolling and you won't regret it. You'll make genuine connections.
Speak Up, Avoid Just Emojis
Always answer in full sentences. Do not just simply reply. It may not be enough to just reply with an emoji. Don't do that, ever.
Let's say you posted something about the weather. Then they proceed to comment with "I agree, nice weather!". If you comment with just a cloud emoji, you're ending the conversation.
Instead, reply as to how you'd reply in real life.
"Right? It's been rainy lately, it's so refreshing to have sunny days like this. How's it like around your area?"
That's one way to do it. Don't end the conversation.
Don't always make it about yourself too, ask them questions. What's it like for them? What do they think about this or that?
As long as it doesn't stray too far off from the content you posted, it's all good.
Appreciate Their Gesture
Instagram now has more features for interacting in the comments section, it's a good idea to use them too.
You can like and even pin a comment.
If you felt that they sparked something in you, feel free to give them a like, or even pin.
Whether the person commenting is a big player in your niche, or just a normal person appreciating your great work, treat them equally.
These people went out of their way to show that they appreciate your work, so it's only natural to be kind and talk.
Produce Tailored Content
Listen to your audience.
If you continue to produce what YOU think is best for them, you might have a couple of misses. But if you listen to what THEY want, you hit the sweet spot, at least for some of them with similar interests.
How do you do this?
Leverage Stories
One way to do it is simply by asking.
Instagram has great features on Stories. There's a sticker that allows you to use polls, open questions, and a sliding scale. When run out of ideas or get stuck. Simply ask them.
"What would you like me to cover?"
"What would you like to hear?"
"What do you want me to do next?"
Finding Inspiration
You can also get great ideas based on what they comment.
When you post and engage, there may be some comments lying around with questions just waiting to be answered.
Maybe even a DM from someone who was interested, and wanted to know more.
You can answer them in private, but you can also use those questions as a compass for the direction of your next post.
You aren't assuming problems now, you're solving real ones, and you're sharing it with your audience.
Engage With Your Audience's Content
Reciprocate. Give more than you take.
What you give out, you will receive.
Much like how you work hard to produce great content for your audience, they do, make an effort to produce content.
With this in mind, treat them as to how you would like them to treat you.
If you see great work and it resonates with you, take a step and comment, drop a like, share it to your story to show your audience.
Go a bit further and drop them a DM and tell them how much you appreciate their work.
But you might be asking, What's in it for you?
More Visibility
By interacting, sharing, and engaging with users, the IG algorithm will set you up for success.
If you've followed more than 100 users before, do you realize that you don't see all 100 people on your feed?
That's because IG prioritizes those users with who you interact the most. This puts them up on the list of your feed, your stories, etc.
The more you interact with your audience, the more chances of your profile showing up on their feed, over and over again.
That's exactly what you want, for them to be reminded that you exist.
Let us know if you found this post helpful. And if you haven't, feel free to check other blogs for more tips on Social Media, Branding & Design from us at AiCreativv.
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Elevate your social media presence with a content strategy that gives value to your customers and generates more leads. We help companies align their business with digital goals by creating impactful brand awareness through social media.
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