Successful social media marketers actively engage their audiences and niche communities. Engagement means that your tweeps, fans, and subscribers react when you post. A reaction can be watching a video, visiting a link, buying a product, or posting a reply.
The content that you produce (video, posts, tweets, etc.) will effect the level of engagement that you receive. If you are posting news like, “Just went to the supermarket and bought some milk” , then nobody will care, nor react. The three tips below are effective ways to engage your audience on social media. Always keep in mind your audience and what they care about.
Ask Powerful Questions. Questions force your audience to think. I like observation-themed questions with a humorous edge. For example, “Why do banks charge a fee on ‘insufficient funds’ when they know there is not enough?” and “If the ‘black box’ survives every plane crash, why not make the entire plane out of that stuff?”
Instigate Brainstorming and Problem Solving. Post a problem to your audience and ask for advice or help. Asking the audience to brainstorm ideas or solutions gets them directly involved. It’s a natural human tendency to want to give opinion or criticism. For example, a blogger I follow took 3 pictures of herself in different dresses, and asked her audience which one she should wear to an awards banquet. She received over 60 replies, and it was a way to talk about the award she was receiving without sounding self-centered.
Acknowledge. Social media is a two-way street. Follow other people’s streams and engage with them. Answer their questions and suggest resources to solve their problems. This is one of the best ways to get people to notice you. If you have something of value to say, most of the time people will look up your website and profile for more info. If you get your audience to reply and engage with you, acknowledge them, let them now that you appreciate their ideas and input. A simple thank you, or a personal note can go a long way in building a strong following.
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