In today’s fast-paced world of social media, businesses are constantly striving to build a strong following on popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Traditionally, the approach has been to subtly ask for follows, often framed as a favor. However, a more effective strategy has emerged – instead of asking for the follow, businesses should focus on presenting compelling reasons why followers should become part of their community.
Make it About Value, Not a Favor
The typical plea of, “If you liked this content, please consider liking us on Facebook – it really helps!” may generate a few additional likes and shares, but it lacks a clear incentive for followers. Instead of positioning it as a favor, shift the narrative to why following you brings tangible value to them.
Create a Desire to Follow You
To build a substantial social media following, it’s essential to instill a genuine desire in followers to connect with your brand. This goes beyond merely asking for engagement; it involves providing consistent value. While useful or interesting content naturally attracts followers, take it a step further by presenting the act of following as an exclusive membership, making them feel like VIPs in your community.
Reasons to Follow
Entertainment:
Regardless of the industry, people crave entertainment. Whether your focus is on selling flooring, aspiring to become an influencer, or operating in real estate, infuse an entertainment factor into your content. Consider weekly information videos, share memes (sparingly), or create content that resonates with your target audience.
Education:
Think about the bloggers you follow. They likely provide valuable knowledge in areas of interest. Apply this principle to your business by sharing informative content that educates your audience about your industry or offerings. Position yourself as a source of knowledge and expertise.
Community:
Humans naturally seek community, whether online or in person. Foster community building by establishing personal connections with your audience. Pose questions, express genuine interest, and create a virtual community around shared interests. Make followers feel like they are part of something meaningful.
Ideas for Engaging Content
- Turn your social media feed into an information hub about your products and services.
- Demonstrate various ways to use your products
- Share customer testimonials
- Provide educational content related to your offerings
- Announce in-store events
- Introduce new team members
- Share new offerings
- Reward followers with exclusive deals and offers.
- Promotion dates
- Direct links
In Conclusion
To unlock the power of social media followers, shift your focus from asking for favors to providing consistent and meaningful value. By understanding and addressing the reasons customers follow brands-whether to learn about products, stay updated, or enjoy exclusive offers-you can cultivate an engaged and excited following. Remember, it’s not just about the number of followers; it’s about building a community that genuinely values what you have to offer.
