Part 11 – Social Media Back to Basics Series.
It’s called social media for a reason. One of the most powerful (and often underestimated) ways to build your brand online is to actively engage with your audience.
That means not just posting content and walking away, but creating space for connection.
Engagement isn’t just a nice bonus – it’s a key signal that platforms use to decide how widely to show your content. The more people interact with your posts, the more likely your content is to be seen by others.
But beyond algorithms, engagement builds relationships. And relationships lead to loyalty, recommendations, and sales.
Here are a few ways to start engaging more effectively:
- Reply to every comment on your posts. A simple thank you or follow-up question keeps the conversation going.
- Like and comment on posts from your followers, customers, and collaborators.
- Use questions and polls to invite responses in stories or captions.
- Share user-generated content when your followers tag you or mention your business.
- Respond to DMs promptly and in your brand voice.
- Tag people or locations where relevant to open up new visibility.
Engagement also helps you learn. By listening to what people respond to and how they speak, you gain valuable insight into what your audience cares about.
It doesn’t have to take hours a day. Even 10-15 minutes of genuine interaction each day can make a noticeable difference in reach and relationship building.
If you feel like your social media presence is a one-way street and you’re not getting much back, focusing on engagement is a great way to change that.
Want support creating a simple engagement plan that fits into your routine?
Get in touch to chat about how I can help.
Sarah Taffe
Freelance designer, artist and writer.
