Top 4 Ways to Engage Readers on Social Media

What do your readers want to see on social media platforms?

If you have taken it upon yourself to do social media marketing for yourself or another business, it's not uncommon to hit a brick wall when looking for ideas for content that engages your readers. How do you make people on social media platforms want to know more about your business or service?

The simple truth is nobody wants to hear another plug for your business. If all you do is toot your own horn, you will lose your audience

But things are not hopeless! If you can bait an effective hook that draws your readers in each time, they will eagerly devour your posts.

The number one goal of social media marketing is to keep those readers coming back for more, so it's important to write posts for your audience, not your business. The whole purpose of creating content is to keep your readers engaged, because an audience that is engaged will accelerate the growth of your platform

So when you are contemplating that next post, there are three simple questions you should ask yourself before posting on social networks.

Top Three Questions to Ask About Social Media Posts  

When you are writing posts for social media platforms, you need to know what your audience wants to know. so it is crucial to always ask yourself these three critical questions before you post:

•  “Is this content relevant to my readers?”
•  “Will my followers care about this information?”
•  “Will my audience understand how this post can impact their lives?”

If you can always answer "yes" to these three questions every time you post, you will know the basics to engaging your readers. But let's take a deeper look at the best ways to create engaging content on social platforms.

Four Best Ways to Engage Readers on Social Media 

• 1. Write content relevant to your readers

Your readers care about posts that speak to their needs and interests and don't just promote a product or service. Make sure your social media posts always provide your social network with information that they can relate to that will help them and their families in some way.

• 2. Write content your followers will care about

If you want to get the full attention of your social networks, write content for them, not pitches aimed at them. Posts that are the most effective will contain a call to action that will have direct impact on your readers' lives.

One way to do this is to offer practical information and handy tips that social media followers can use to improve their lives.

Another way is to talk about your topic and not just your business. Provide useful information about your field, not just your product. This adds value for your readers.

• 3. Write posts that will directly impact the lives of your social media audience

If you can provide your Facebook and Twitter followers tips and advice that save them money or help them solve a problem, you can provide content that impacts your followers' lives.  This, in turn, keeps your social media networks engaged and coming back for more.

Writing posts that have direct impact on your readers will make those posts of value on even the most professional networks, including LinkedIn.

• 4. Write posts that are humorous or entertaining

Sometimes it is good to mix it up a bit with posts that will make your readers laugh or add interest to their day. Adding in posts that are funny or entertaining will go a long way towards keeping your audience returning.

So tell a joke or a funny story -- even better if you can make the joke relate to your product or industry.

Social media content that adds value to your readers will ensure your audience is engaged by relevant content your followers care about and believe will impact their lives. Posts that speak directly to your readers will connect with your target market and keep your social networking followers coming back for more.

Related: 

• Top 5 Ways to Promote Your Social Media Networks 
• Why You Should Promote Your Social Networks
• Social Media: Top 5 Things Your Audience Wants to Know
• Social Media: The Power of Posting Frequently
• Social Media Marketing by the Numbers for 2019

About Kathryn Darden:
 
Darden was trained by Yahoo and Examiner on effective ways to utilize social media and SEO to promote her articles for their online platforms. Since then she has worked with numerous clients to promote everything from music to video games, from skincare to traditional brick and mortar businesses. She is the author of “How to Promote Your Book on a Shoestring Budget.”  Connect with Darden.