What Engaging on Social Media Looks Like and How to Do It Daily
Social media isn’t just a place to post pictures or promotions; it’s a powerful platform to connect with your audience. Engaging on social media builds trust, fosters loyalty, and helps your business stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.
But what does “engagement” actually look like, and how do you maintain it without spending hours every day? In this blog, we’ll break down practical steps and provide a daily engagement plan to help your Metro Vancouver business thrive online.
What Does Social Media Engagement Mean?
Engagement Defined:
Social media engagement refers to any interaction between you and your followers—likes, comments, shares, direct messages, and even clicks on your posts or links. It’s how your audience responds to your content and how you respond in return.
Why It’s Important:
- Builds Trust: Engagement shows your audience that you’re approachable and genuinely interested in their needs.
- Boosts Visibility: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook prioritize content with high engagement, making your posts more visible to potential customers.
- Encourages Loyalty: Regular interaction strengthens relationships, increasing the likelihood of repeat business.
Signs of Good Engagement:
- Regular comments or messages from followers.
- Shares and tags on your posts.
- Followers responding to polls, questions, or contests.
How to Create Content That Encourages Engagement.
What You Can Do Today:
Scroll through your last 10 posts. Which ones received the most interaction? Note any patterns to replicate in future posts. Keep a record of the date and content to make it easier to go back and create more of the same.
Creating Content That Sparks Interaction
What Kind of Content Works Best?
Not all posts inspire engagement. To spark interaction, focus on creating content that:
- Asks Questions: Invite opinions or feedback with posts like, “What’s your favorite coffee order?”
- Offers Value: Share tips, tricks, or behind-the-scenes content that your audience finds useful or entertaining.
- Promotes Participation: Use polls, contests, or challenges to get followers actively involved.
Examples of Engagement-Driving Posts:
- Post a “this or that” image (e.g., latte vs. cappuccino) and ask followers to vote in the comments.
- Share a video showing how one of your products is made, asking viewers to guess the process.
- Celebrate local events or trends with community-specific hashtags like #MetroVancouverEats or #SupportLocalBC.
Hootsuite’s Guide to Interactive Content
What You Can Do Today:
Create a quick poll on Instagram Stories asking, “What’s your favorite rainy day activity in New Westminster?”
Engaging With Your Audience: The Basics
What Does Daily Engagement Look Like?
- Reply to Comments: Always respond to comments on your posts, even if it’s just a quick “Thank you!”
- Answer Questions: Respond to direct messages or questions in the comments promptly.
- React to Shares: If someone tags your business or shares your post, acknowledge it with a like or comment.
Pro Tip: Personalize your responses when possible. Instead of saying “Thanks for your comment,” try “Thanks for the support, [Name]! Hope to see you in-store soon!”
What You Can Do Today:
Spend 15 minutes going through your latest post and replying to every comment.
Daily Routine for Social Media Engagement
Time-Saving Tips for Consistent Engagement:
You don’t need to spend hours online. A structured daily routine can make engagement manageable and effective.
Sample Daily Engagement Plan (30 Minutes):
- Morning (10 minutes):
- Check notifications and respond to any new comments or messages.
- Post a piece of content (e.g., a photo, video, or poll).
- Afternoon (10 minutes):
- Reply to any new interactions from your morning post.
- Engage with 5-10 accounts in your community by liking and commenting on their posts.
- Evening (10 minutes):
- Share a user-generated post (e.g., a customer photo) or highlight a testimonial.
- Review the day’s performance using your platform’s analytics tools.
Buffer’s Social Media Management Guide
What You Can Do Today:
Set a timer for 10 minutes and focus on commenting on posts from other local businesses.
Set the timer a second time, scroll through the feed of your Facebook page, and "snooze" any content that is not relevant to you.
DIY or Hire a Social Media Manager?
Should You Do It Yourself?
DIY social media engagement is ideal for business owners who:
- Enjoy interacting with customers online.
- Have a small audience that’s manageable to engage with regularly.
When to Hire Help:
Consider hiring a social media manager if:
- You struggle to maintain consistency due to time constraints.
- You want professional help creating a more robust content and engagement strategy.
Cost-Effective Alternatives:
- Use tools like Hootsuite to schedule posts in advance and streamline engagement.
- Hire a freelance social media assistant for a few hours each week.
What You Can Do Today:
Evaluate your current social media engagement. Is it consistent? If not, consider delegating parts of it.
Engaging on social media isn’t about chasing likes—it’s about building relationships that translate into loyal customers. By creating interactive content, responding to followers, and following a simple daily plan, you can maintain a strong online presence with ease.
Whether you’re managing it yourself or working with a professional, consistency is key. Take the first step today by trying out one of the engagement strategies from this blog, and watch how your efforts begin to build momentum!