5 tips that increase engagement on social media
We all want more engagement and people talking about our brand. Before social media, word of mouth marketing was only tracked through business to customer interaction. It was difficult to really measure the impact of word of mouth marketing and truly know how much people were talking about your business and what they were saying.
Social media helps in determining what people are saying, who they are recommending your services to and can help you pinpoint the ambassadors of your product.
Engagement on social media networks is the holy grail that many small businesses are seeking. These tips will inspire your to look at your social media interactions and see if you are hitting all of the options for increased engagement.
Inspire your fans and followers to respond
People will talk if you provide them the opportunity to do so. Inspire people on social media, don’t just through information out there and think that they will respond. Inspiring others is tough and we all a need a little inspiration ourselves but if you plan out your inspiring tales to increase engagement you will be amazed at the responses.
The best way to inspire is through emotion. If your post on any of the networks is an emotional based message, you will touch the deepest part of us, our heart and our soul. as we have previously mentioned the addition of emotions in facebook posts will help to build your emotional social media voice. Take a moment and think of some emotionally driven opportunities that your business, destination or location can provide to your social media platforms.
Listen, listen, listen
Listen to what is being said on the social media networks so you can join in on the conversation not BUTT INTO the conversation. Lets use our cocktail party metaphor again on this idea. There is a group of you having a conversation at a party. An additional guest joins in and jsut blurts out some non related information in the group. Hmmmmm, odd…..and not very friendly. As you each look at each other, you ignore the comment and continue on with your conversation. Have you done this on social media…We would bet money that you have done this more than you think, unintentionally, but more than you think. Instead of just hanging out on your timeline, go to your home and listen to what others are talking about. If the conversation is about dogs, or pets, or cooking, or kids, comment on others posts and let them know you are listening. Once you have engaged in the conversation as a participant then you can switch the direction of the conversation.
Search for relevant conversations where you can add value
Searching can be done on almost all the social media networks. Search your destination, your business, location activities and news. Add value to other peoples posts and inspire the conversation! There is more value sometimes in adding to a conversation than there is in starting a conversation. Think about it.
Encourage sharing
When you share, so do others. When people see that you have influence they want to follow, like and become closer to you on social media. If you support and respond through listening, searching and sharing, guaranteed your engagement will increase three fold.Everyone likes smart, engaging, and knowledgeable people. Be this person on social media!
Share your guests business information too!
B2B support is important. When you support your guests businesses they will want to support your business. Find ways to interact with your guests business profiles so that you can support each other. If you are loyal through sharing of a customers business, they will be as loyal to yours.
The holy grail of social media – Engagement
Peer to peer networking takes time, earning a reputation in your industry also takes time. Social media is no exception and it takes time. Giving up is not the answer, moving forward and networking online differently or more intensely will build your engagement. If you think of engagement as networking, a tried and true tactic for business success when done authentically, you may find it easier to gain momentum in social media.
