Social media is a great tool to growing your following, but how can you use it effectively?
After years of experience, I’ve learned that it takes time, but there are some rules to follow to make sure you're getting the most out of your efforts. Here are 3 tips to maximize your following with minimal effort.
3 Tips to Grow Your Social Media Following
What to Post
Ultimately your goal is to share something that will bring value to your viewer. It doesn’t have to be huge value either! Something simple enough to spark a smile can positively impact your following.
Think about the posts that you pay attention to in your personal social media. Chances are they make you smile, inspire you, challenge you, inform you, or spark your curiosity. Do the same thing with your content and you'll definitely see your influence increase.
How to Post
There are three things every post needs. Follow this formula to watch your following grow.
An Enticing First Line
The first line has to hook them, just like a book. Try to think of a question or curiosity-evoking statement. Then you'll be sure to grab your audience's attention.
A Picture
Simply put, posts without photos won't get the attention they deserve.
A Call to Action (CTA)
If you can get someone to engage with your post somehow, that's gold. Posts that prompt people to vote on different options, respond with questions or shared experiences, or “give it a like” do really well.
Engagement plays a big part in whether social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, choose to show that post to your followers.
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When to Post
I’ve found that the time of day or day of the week doesn’t matter as much as consistency. If you want your following to pay attention, you need to get in front of them on a regular basis. The professionals recommend multiple times a day is best, whether that be in the form of a post, story or something else.
If you're starting out, my advice is to start posting once a week. Then stretch yourself to post two or three times a week until you're ready to start posting every day.
What Facebook & Instagram Don't Tell You About Your Following
Unfortunately, even if you put all these techniques into practice, not all of your followers are going to see everything you post. But if a post is “performing well”, more people will see it. Exactly how they figure this out (their algorithm) is a well-guarded secret, but we know that part of it has to do with how many people respond to the post and how quickly.