7 Creative Ways to Increase Community Engagement on Social Media

Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram provide excellent opportunities to increase community engagement on social media as they are a great way for people to get to know your brand. However, while audiences are open to your marketing, they can be wary of blatant selling. That's why you need to get creative with your social media strategy to stand out without relying solely on paid promotions.

Here are seven updated and creative ways to increase community engagement and build a smart social strategy for your brand.

1. Use Images and Videos to Tell a Story: Visual content remains powerful, but it's important to note that video content has now become even more influential.

   Videos on platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and even YouTube Shorts are driving higher engagement rates. Instead of just static images, focus on creating short, compelling videos that tell a story—whether it’s a product in use, a behind-the-scenes look, or a customer testimonial. According to recent studies, video posts can receive up to 1200% more shares than text and image posts combined.

2. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC): Sharing success stories from your customers is still highly effective, but take it a step further by encouraging user-generated content. Ask your customers to share their own photos or videos using your product with a specific hashtag. UGC not only provides authentic content for your brand but also boosts engagement by making your customers feel like a valued part of your community.

3. Engage with Interactive Polls and Questions: Instead of just asking your audience to like or share to answer a question, use platform-specific features like Instagram's Polls, Twitter's Polls, or Facebook's Reactions. These tools make it easier for users to engage directly with your content and give you instant feedback. Additionally, consider hosting live Q&A sessions to create real-time interaction with your community.

4. Tap into Emotions with Relatable and Timely Content: Emotional content is still key, but in today’s climate, relevance is equally important. Share content that resonates with current events or trending topics. For example, during major holidays or significant events, tailor your content to reflect the mood or themes that are on people’s minds. A mix of humor, inspiration, and relatability can create a strong connection with your audience.

5. Show the Human Side of Your Business: Transparency and authenticity are more important than ever. Beyond just showing the faces behind your business, consider sharing your company’s values, community involvement, or even challenges you’ve overcome. Highlighting your brand’s culture and mission can help you build a deeper, more personal connection with your audience.

6. Crowdsource Ideas and Feedback: Engaging your audience in decision-making processes is a great way to make them feel involved. Whether it's asking for feedback on new product ideas, voting on potential designs, or contributing to a blog post, crowdsourcing content can lead to an increase community engagement on social media. Additionally, consider using platforms like Instagram Stories or LinkedIn Polls to ask for input in real-time.

7. Run Interactive Contests and Challenges: Contests are still a fantastic way to engage your audience, but today’s social media users expect more interactivity. Create challenges that encourage participation, like a photo or video contest with a specific theme related to your brand. Ensure the prize is enticing and relevant to your audience.

   Or follow the BuzzFeed quiz trend and create a fun and interesting quiz with great answers that your users are going to want to share. run a themed quiz that’s both fun and educational—this can be especially effective for driving engagement on platforms like Instagram Stories.

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