7 Ways to Boost Engagement on Social Media

2023 is the year of social media. Why? Social media channels are ever-evolving, and current shifts across various platforms (hello, Twitter) mean there’s room for everyone to take advantage of new tools and a new audience. With over two-thirds of the US population using at least one social media account monthly, businesses not utilizing this mostly-free advertising are missing out.

But it can sometimes be hard to assess your return on the investment you do make, whether that be money or time. Engagement, which accounts for how much time your audience spends interacting with your page and content, is one of the most reliable parameters when gauging a healthy online presence. If yours could use a boost, here are seven ways to attract more attention to your posts.

1. Learn about your audience 

To reach your audience successfully, know who it is you’re speaking to. Researching follower demographics is helpful when planning content, especially if your business is location-specific.

2. Respond promptly to messages and comments

According to a Hub Spot survey, 79% of consumers expect a response within 24 hours or less. That can be tough for business owners juggling multiple roles, so consider designating a trustworthy employee to oversee your inboxes. Outsourcing your social media also ensure that all messages, comments, and reviews are acknowledged and responded to quickly and professionally.

3. Remain authentic 

Accounts gain followers because people are interested in knowing more about their business and brand. They also love hearing about the backstory of a company, or a look behind the scenes at development or production. In a sea of generic social media posts, it’s easy to spot inauthenticity. Stay true to your core values and use opportunities to speak to your audience. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to feel real.

4. Stay on brand

Consistent branding is essential. Keep colors, fonts, logos, and messaging cohesive. Your content should be distinguishable when scrolling through newsfeeds. Recognizable content encourages users to like, comment, or engage in some way.

5. Utilize stories and reels 

The more people viewing your content, the higher engagement will be. And right now, two of the biggest platforms (Instagram and Facebook) are all about videos. Snip-its of about 15-30 seconds are favored by algorithms and can help extend your organic reach. Even better? Try going live! These authentic, unedited segments appeal to viewers and draw in new followers.

6. Use relevant hashtags

Did you know posts with hashtags get double the amount of engagement as those without them? This easy add-on is a must-have every time you post. Create hashtags that are brand-specific, but also include those that are trending, like #love, currently holding the top spot for popularity on Instagram.

7. Sponsor a contest or giveaway

Everyone loves a freebie, and holding a contest or giveaway is a sure way to build momentum. Look at samples of other companies that utilize this tool for inspiration. Maybe you offer a free product or service when your page reaches a certain number of followers, or ask your audience to tag a friend in the comments for the chance to win a prize. Most importantly, remember to share the winner(s) in your newsfeed and stories!

Boosting engagement is a sure way to increase your visibility, brand awareness, and in the long run, your net profit. Try incorporating some of these strategies into your content planning, and let us know what’s working! You can also reach us at alison@officiallysocial.com anytime with questions.

Why Successful Growth Campaigns NEVER Bring Fake Followers

By Jamie Johnson • March 28, 2025
One of the biggest questions we hear from business owners is how they can grow their social media quickly. Many have been led to believe that social media growth equals success. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case! It’s a common misconception that the bigger your following, the more credibility and sales you will have. Expanding your audience is important BUT the quality of that growth matters far more than the quantity. Anyone can pay for followers, but what matters is choosing your growth campaigns carefully; even better when they're done with the help of an industry expert. With the right strategy, you can develop a meaningful, engaged community rather than chasing empty followers. Here are three rules we recommend following when creating growth campaigns for your social media channels. Rule #1: Focus on Finding a Genuine Audience We know that total follower count is a distracting number, but an engaged, loyal audience is what matters in the long run. Fake followers will only hurt your visibility, and the algorithms will not favor your content. A solid growth campaign should prioritize attracting your target audience—people genuinely interested in your brand who will interact, share, and like your posts. Rule #2: Make Your Growth Campaign Intentional Don’t be fooled by the promise of quick results and a quick following. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Social media platforms make it easy to run campaigns, but there are disparities in effectiveness because rapid growth doesn’t always translate to value. It pays to be patient and strategic when building your audience. A bigger number that lacks any real connection will make finding your true followers harder. Rule #3: Rely on Data Data and analytics are a crucial point of any growth campaign. If you’re investing money for better results, you want to see the ROI. The key is to look past your follower count and focus on engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), external link clicks, and audience retention. These things will lead to long-term success rather than just a bunch of uninvested followers. One more thing to remember is that boosting posts, while valuable and serving a purpose, is NOT a growth campaign. A proper growth campaign is a strategic effort to increase your following, engagement, and overall reach. If this sounds like something your business could benefit from and you’d like to learn more, visit us at officiallysocial.com or email alison@officiallysocial.com anytime! 

How to Increase Followers Organically

By Jamie Johnson • February 28, 2025
One of the biggest questions we hear from clients is how to get more followers. And that’s because most people assume that the more followers you have, the more exposure and reach your content is likely to get. And while there is some truth to that, the number isn’t the only important thing—the quality of your audience also matters! Yes, a strong following is essential for your business. But while paid promotions can give you a temporary boost, growing your audience organically ensures long-term engagement and credibility. Here are six ways to do it effectively: 1. Post Consistently : We can’t say it enough—content is king. If it’s been a while since you’ve shared something, don’t overthink it. People aren’t looking for perfection on social media. They’re looking for a connection. Create valuable, engaging, and visually appealing content that aligns with your brand, and utilize a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience tuning in. 2. Research Trending Hashtags : Hashtags aren’t dead, we promise! In fact, they are a big help in increasing discoverability because they categorize your posts, making them easier to find when users search for related topics. Try incorporating a mix of popular and niche hashtags relevant to your business to maximize your audience. 3. Engage with Your Audience : Social media is meant to be social! There needs to be a give and take, so be sure to reply to comments and messages promptly. You'll also want to like, share, and simply acknowledge others’ content. The more active you are, the more likely people are to follow and interact with you in return. 4. Collaborate with Others : Know another local business that’d be interested in partnering in an event? Or perhaps some influencers might want to work together to increase brand awareness. Don’t be afraid to reach out! Cross-promotions and shoutouts can boost your visibility without the additional cost of paid ads. 5. Seek User-Generated Content : Authentic, user-generated content is trending across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Ask followers to share pictures, videos, and reviews related to your brand. You can then feature this content to create a sense of community and encourage others to participate. 6. Be Patient: Perhaps the hardest on this list is understanding that solid organic growth takes time. If you stay consistent, track your progress, and refine your strategy as needed, you’ll work toward building a loyal following that sticks around. With such an inundation of social media, people are simply looking to follow accounts they can connect to. By implementing these strategies, you’ll see steady, meaningful follower growth—so stay authentic, be consistent, and remember the value you are providing your audience. 

Five Ways a Social Media Manager Can Change Your Life

By Jamie Johnson • January 31, 2025
Having a strong social media presence has become less of an option and more of a non-negotiable for business owners. Regardless of the size or niche of your company, maintaining consistent branding and messaging on various platforms is a MUST for driving traction. If you’ve tried managing your social media content independently, you know how time-consuming it can be; time that could be much better allocated toward other aspects of growing your business that you actually enjoy! This is where a designated social media manager comes in. An effective social media manager will create exclusive content in an authentic voice that resonates with your audience. Yes, it is a financial investment, but the time and freedom you gain is invaluable. Here are five more reasons why outsourcing social media may be the right choice for your business. 1. They are experts in their field: Social media managers thrive off of the exciting, ever-changing landscape of Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Yes, it’s hard to keep up with the latest algorithms and trends, but when you hire a manager, you can trust their decisions are driven by proven strategies that will help build your brand. 2. They study and utilize monthly analytics: The numbers don’t lie. So, the easiest way to ensure what you’re posting is reaching the right audience is to examine your analytics every month. An experienced social media manager knows exactly what performance metrics to look for and will provide actionable insights for continuous growth and improvement. 3. They are huge time savers: Perhaps the biggest benefit, outsourcing your content creation to a professional frees up time, letting you focus on what you do best running a business! Leave the engagement, responding to comments, and managing DMs to someone else and you’ll be amazed at what a weight is lifted from your shoulders. 4. They help you stay ahead of the competition: Today’s online presence is all about staying relevant. If you’re not reaching your target audience, someone else is. Hiring a social media manager will help your business stay ahead by identifying trends and opportunities others might miss. 5. They create consistency: Your brand’s voice and messaging should be kept cohesive across all platforms. A social media manager will work to develop consistent messaging that builds trust, credibility, and recognition with your audience. Regardless of how busy YOU are, with a social media manager, you can guarantee your posts will run like clockwork. Investing in a great social media manager can help your business reach its full potential. Their expertise, creativity, and strategic content planning will elevate your brand and audience, all while freeing you your time, energy, and most importantly—less stress. Ready to take your social media to the next level? Email the team at Officially Social today- alison@officiallysocial.com.

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