May 16, 2012
During our social media webinars, people often ask how they can increase engagement through social media. While we can help people save time with their social media efforts, we are not the marketing experts. So, we turned to Kristin Heffley at Caffeinated Communications Studio to provide us with a few tips.
Writing a social media post that will generate comments, likes, and replies takes practice. It can be frustrating when you feel as if no one is reading your posts. As you figure out what works best for your audience, one of the easiest techniques to encourage conversation is to simply ask questions.
When writing a question, keep it simple, clear, and easy to answer. The point is to invite your audience to join the conversation, not to confuse them. Here are five types of questions that can increase engagement:
1. Ask yes/no or true/false questions
Readers are more likely to respond to questions that require less thought and shorter answers. Begin these questions with “Yes or No”/“True or False” so your readers can quickly understand that one word is all that is required.
2. Ask poll questions
Facebook’s Question feature is a great way to poll your readers. Options for answers can be easily and quickly selected. You can either input options or your readers can add their own.
3. Ask fill-in-the-blank questions
Fill-in-the-blank questions can produce some creative and fun answers. Begin these questions with “Fill in the blank” so fans know what to expect.
4. Ask for tips
Social media enthusiasts love to share their personal experiences and insights. This form of question can nurture a sense of community among your followers through their shared experiences and advice.
5. Ask fun questions
Asking off topic questions isn’t always a bad thing. These questions create a human connection with your brand. Something as simple as asking about weekend plans or favorite vacation spots can generate a lot of activity.
Once your post receives a response, acknowledge someone when they answer. You can “like” or retweet their response or even better, comment back to deepen the conversation. If someone asks you a question, be sure to respond.
