We are bombarded with many marketing and advertising messages on a daily basis. Social media websites are flooded with advertisers all looking to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
And then there is you. You’re the fresh face on the block looking to make your imprint on the world. Whether you operate a small business or are just looking to increase social awareness for your personal brand, having an engagement strategy is critical to your success. Here are 3 easy tips to improve engagement with your audience.
1. Ask for Feedback/Ask Questions
One of the easiest ways to begin engaging others is to ask open-ended questions. Ask questions that don’t default to a binary answer. For, example:
- How do you feel…
- What do you think…
- Why does…
This method of questioning provides opportunities for more detailed feedback to be gathered from your audience.
Other methods you can use to engage include:
- Surveys
- Interviews
- Focus groups
2. Schedule Social Media Posts
Consistently posting engaging, unique content is key to any social media engagement strategy. However, finding the time to post your content between work, family life, and many other daily distractions can be daunting. If you compound that with thousands of others posting content, you may be asking yourself how you can stand out in the crowd?
An effective way to address this dilemma is to schedule your social media posts. There are a variety of tools to help you accomplish this goal. Consider the following social media management tools.
There are many other social media management tools online. Do your research and determine which platform will work best for you.
3. Develop a Strategic Network of Contacts
There is a saying that your network determines your net worth. These words could not be more true online. Having the right people in your corner or talking about your brand can go a long way. Things such as celebrity endorsements or shout-outs from social media influencers can deliver a significant return on investment.
One approach you can use to develop strategic contacts online is to actually go offline. Join your local chamber of commerce, attend local, regional, national conferences, or align yourself with community organizations that have similar interests. Shake hands, make phone calls, send emails, and follow up with contacts that you meet. Make an effort to build relationships. Networking offline can be just as or more powerful than networking online.
