5 Proven Strategies for Boosting Engagement on Your Small Business’s Social Media

Engagement. You hear that word everywhere, especially when you’re online reading about how to get your business’s socials noticed.

But how exactly are you supposed to get that all-powerful engagement? If you’re tired of posting and crossing your fingers that your followers engage, read on.

We’ve put together 5 proven strategies for getting your social media engagement sky-high. 

Know your audience

And we’re not talking about your follower count. We’re talking about the people behind the numbers.

How well do you really know your audience? Who are they? Why are they following you? What pain points do they have? And how are you the one to help them?

If you can answer these questions, you’re well on your way to knowing your audience. By understanding how they think, what they prioritize, and what they’re looking for, you’ll be able to create the most relevant content for them. Relevant content that lands with your followers = Increased engagement.

High-quality content

It’s 2023. While we can’t all be Greta Gerwig (though how cool would that be?!), there is a level of expectation regarding the quality of your content.

Ditch the shots with bad lighting or awkward cropping; it isn’t doing your brand any favours. Spend some time learning how to take the best photos or videos with the device of your choice. You don’t need a professional setup; we’ve all seen the content made with just an iPhone!

Don’t be afraid to retake a shot until you get it right, and get outside your comfort zone. You may surprise yourself with the results! If you’re using a phone to shoot content, ensure your camera settings are optimized to get the clearest shot. Do the same for your social platforms, and make sure to toggle on for uploading the highest quality photos or videos. 

Engage with followers

We’ve all been a part of conversations where the other person just isn’t giving anything back.

Don’t be that person on your socials! Get in there and reply to DMs, respond to comments, and ask questions. Let followers (or soon-to-be-followers) know that there’s someone behind the screen, and they’re listening.

Your industry and brand voice will dictate how you talk to them, but for most of us, it should be like we’re talking to a friend. Maintain an easygoing tone that encourages back and forth, and see where the conversation goes! Make sure you’re engaging with their content too; let them know it isn’t a one-way street of dialogue, and that you see what they’re creating! 

Consistent posting schedule

While a consistent posting schedule gives value to more than your engagement levels, it certainly helps boost engagement! People naturally like patterns, and your followers are no different.

A regular posting schedule lets people know when to expect you and helps you gain a regular presence in their feed. A sporadic schedule can feel disappointing to followers, especially if they’ve gotten used to seeing you on stories or dropping reels that they watch on repeat. You wouldn’t ghost a client, so don’t ghost your followers, either. Reliability on socials implies reliability in other ways, too, which boosts your overall credibility.

Showcase authenticity

People respond to authenticity. Lean into who you are and what sets you apart from the rest.

Your followers don’t expect (or these days, even want!) perfectly curated content at all times, they want to see, and get to know, the real you. Share your wins, but share your challenges too. Talk them through how you got through something you were struggling with, or what you wish you’d known when you’d started out.

Instagram stories are a great way to demonstrate this. These snippets only last for 24 hours, so they’re a great way to share your day-to-day activities, or what you’re currently working on. When you speak, imagine that you’re talking to one specific person (ideally your dream client!), and talk to them in a way that demonstrates your skills, while also being approachable. 

Increasing your engagement can be a bit of a long game. It takes time, effort, and consistency to see change, but we know that you’ve totally got this. And if you need a little help? Well, you know that For the Love of Socials has your back. Schedule a chat and see how we can help increase your engagement and shine a spotlight on your small business.