Getting traffic to your site, spreading the word about your business's services and sharing reviews of your products are all great reasons to be active on social media as a business.
Building a strong social media following can be tricky, however. For many people, following is a commitment of sorts, as clicking means they're going to see more content from your business in the future. So, what specific types of content work effectively for convincing a viewer that they want to engage with what you have to say?
To find out, we asked entrepreneurs from YEC to weigh in on their most effective social media strategies when aiming to gain more followers. Here's what they suggest you focus on.
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1. Contests
"Posting content that can be turned into a contest is a great way to gain new followers. For instance, you could post a photo, ask people to caption it and the winner gets a small prize, but to be eligible, you have to follow, like and share. Contests like this expose you to a ton of new users." –John Turner, SeedProd LLC
2. Content dedicated to special days
"Holidays, both well-known and "weird," hold universal appeal on the internet and have great potential to attract followers. I have found that posting and celebrating even little holidays, such as "Squirrel Appreciation Day" or "National Cheese Lover Day" delights all audiences. It also shows what causes are important to your brand. I also try to link them to one of my products or blogs." – Shu Saito, Godai Soaps
3. Behind the scenes
"As the owner of an apparel brand, I have found several things key in gaining a social following but one that has been quite crucial has been showing behind the scenes. I think the beauty of social media is being able to really connect with customers and followers, and one of the most effective ways to do that is to make them a part of the process, sharing the stories behind the curtain." – Dalia MacPhee, DALIA MACPHEE
4. Funny videos
"Video is hugely popular on social media, so if you want more followers, you need to be creating and sharing more video content. Remember though, your videos have to be short and they've got to grab the viewer right away since many users admit to only watching the first 30 seconds of a video or so. Plus, if your video is funny, users will be more likely to share it and tag their friends." – Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights
5. Live video
"Live video is an awesome and easy way to get more followers on social media. Live video on Facebook or Instagram is way more interactive: Viewers can watch you in real time and talk to you in the live comment section. It's great for forming a more personal connection with your audience and increasing your organic reach. You can introduce your team, take viewers on a tour and so much more." – Blair Williams, MemberPress
6. How-to videos
"I find that providing your followers value can lead to a greater conversation around you and your brand. How-to videos are the best examples of this, or at the very least, a high-level discussion of the best practices in your industry. Really any piece of educational content that you can make engaging and simplify for your audience will lead others to you as a thought leader in your industry." – Kristopher Brian Jones, LSEO.com
7. List articles
"Also known as "listicles," these articles containing lists are great for sharing on social because they are very quick to digest, and are often informative and interesting. It's a good way to get engagement and people will follow you if they like your content!" – Baruch Labunski, Rank Secure
8. Content that shows vulnerability
"Whether as brands or individuals, there's obvious value in creating content that shares expertise and thought leadership. I'’m always surprised by how much more people respond to questions or stories that show genuine vulnerability (e.g., the struggle that led to X versus just X by itself)." – Sam Saxton, Paragon Stairs
9. Content that solves problems
"My goal is to solve one person's problem a day; this helps me win trust and rapport for my brand. This also gets them to recommend me and help build my community when I have started from scratch. At the same time, I am doing what I have always intended to do which is deliver value. When you deliver value, you will win a new audience every time. Solve a problem a day." – Sweta Patel, Startup Growth Mode
10. Links to case studies
"I find that case studies are especially good for attracting highly targeted followers. These may be people who are already customers or who are likely to sign up for our services. Case studies, either showcasing our products or something relevant to our industry, provide decision-makers with tangible proof that something works." – Kalin Kassabov, ProTexting
11. Humor
"In our niche, our highest performing articles are how-to guides and funnily enough, collections of memes. Sometimes giving your consumer an opportunity to take a mental break instead of trying to cram 'useful' content down their throat will build positive brand associations, and they'll be more likely to follow you. These days, everyone is trying to solve your problems to get you to notice them." – Brandon Stapper, Nonstop Signs