8 Tips to Build an Engaged Community on Social Media
It can be so easy for all of us to get wrapped up in the content we are posting on Social Media, and not focus on the relationships we are building around our content. When you look at your most recent Instagram posts, how many individuals are commenting on them and how many of the accounts that liked your post do you recognize? If it feels like you are posting to a group of strangers and are often met with silence when you post, you don’t have a community!
We are big advocates for building relationships not followers on social media and here is why:
When you build a passionate community around your business, you have created a group of individuals with brand loyalty! These are customers who will tell their friends about you, share your content online, and be the first to purchase your newest offerings. To help you get started, here are our 8 building blocks to building an engaged community on social media!
Lead with Your Passion
The truth is, communities form around meaning. The best way to begin creating a community online is to share your story, and lead with what you are passionate about! This will attract individuals with the same interests and passions, and create a personality around your business that users can connect with.
Be Relatable
We have all seen the feeds that appear perfect online, and the brands that create an image that is unattainable. While these brands may build a following that is somewhat aspirational, they are not creating a community of individuals that relate to one another. Making sure your content is relatable allows your audience to feel comfortable engaging with your posts and sharing their journeys and experiences with likeminded individuals.
Post Content That is a Resource to Your Industry
While creating a community around your story and purpose is very impactful, you will need to provide value to maintain your community’s attention. No matter what industry your business falls in, there are endless ways to provide solutions and assistance for your customer’s problems. Make sure your page is somewhere that either provides education, offers an escape with humour, or sparks emotion. Your followers need a reason to come back to you everyday!
Engage, Engage, Engage
Once your content is up, it’s up to you to avoid the biggest social media sin: posting & ghosting! Make sure you are encouraging engagement by being online and active for 30 minutes after posting your content. We recommend encouraging comments by acknowledging or responding to everyone (yes, you heard that right! Everyone). Treat your comment section as a place to spark conversations with each of your customers individually! These individual touch points with your followers is what makes them feel like they are part of a community, and not just an anonymous follower.
Collaborate
If you’ve completed the beginning phases of building community online but feel like your growth and impact has plateaued, it’s time to collaborate! Find other accounts in your industry with similar follower demographics and find a way to grow together. This could mean hosting an Instagram live together, offering a giveaway that promotes each other, or even launching a product together. Anything you can do to get yourself introduced to other relevant audience groups will help you grow your community and help you build meaningful business relationships along the way!
Create A Space For Your Community to Connect
Once you are in a place where you are continuously inspired by your comment section and direct messages on social media, you have created a community. This is where we recommend considering creating a unique space for your community to connect virtually. A Facebook group is a great way to bring together your most passionate community members and allow them to share and engage in a safe space. Your Facebook group could be part of a paid membership service you offer, or an open invite for any community members to join and share on a topic they are passionate about. Either way this will offer your community a safe place to escape to, and when you have exciting company updates or exclusive offers, you have gathered your most loyal customers in one place.
Make Your Community Easy to Join
Regardless what platform or strategy you employ when it comes to building a community online, it is important to make sure it is easy to join. For example, nothing discourages someone from commenting on your Instagram post more than being met with dead silence. Another example many of us have encountered, the dreaded 10 step process to sign up for a mailing list. Make sure joining and contributing in your community is easy and welcome! Eliminate as many barriers to entry as possible so you encourage growth and engagement!
Listen to Your Audience
Our last and final tip when it comes to building a community online is to listen to your audience! They will guide you and help you determine what content and topics they are most passionate about. Social Media is a place for conversation, so make sure your communication with your followers is a two way street. Give them the opportunity to share with you what they want to see more of!
Want to join our community?
SMC Club is a place for our community to come together and learn, year round. Whether you are looking to expand on your SMC experience or looking for a virtual learning option, SMC Club will connect you with over 100 other business owners and individuals passionate about learning the world of social media.