Week 5 of our in depth look at the 7 types of social media posts that get results and it’s time to discuss engagement posts.
If you're using social media then you will most likely have heard the term “engagement post.” But what exactly does that mean? And why are engagement posts so crucial for successful social media marketing?
Let’s have a look at them in more detail.
What Are Engagement Posts?
Engagement posts are any sort of social media content that encourage your followers and ideal clients to interact (aka engage) with you in some way.
In other words, engagement posts are pieces of content that get people talking, liking, sharing, and commenting. They're the magnets that draw people in and make them feel compelled to participate. Think of them as the digital equivalent of a captivating conversation at a lively party – you want to be part of it!
So, whether it's by asking a thought-provoking question, running a quirky poll, or creating a buzzworthy quiz, engagement posts are designed to get your ideal clients and followers to sit up, take notice, and engage with your content.
Why Are Engagement Posts Important?
Put simply, engagement is the lifeblood of successful social media marketing. It's pretty straightforward – the more engagement you receive on your posts, the more people will see and interact with your content.
More views and interactions lead to a higher chance of acquiring new followers (aka your ideal clients) and ultimately, new clients or customers.
This is because engagement posts give people (ideally your ideal clients) a chance to connect with you in a meaningful way – and that builds the know, like, and trust factor.
When people engage with you (via social media – or any other format), they're telling you that they're interested in what you have to say.
Those wonderfully awesome people who engage with your content actually value the content that you're putting out into the world.
So, it’s important that you build and strengthen that relationship you have with your engaged followers.
By doing so, you're not only increasing the likelihood of them becoming a paying client – you're also building a community of loyal fans who are invested in your success. A community of people who will tell the world how wonderful your business/products/services are. A community that helps you achieve your social media goals.
And that’s why engagement posts are soooooo important!
What Makes a Good Engagement Post?
The best engagement posts are those that encourage your audience to participate in some way – whether that's by commenting, reacting, or sharing their own thoughts or experiences.
Some examples of effective engagement posts include asking for feedback on a new product or service, sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into your business, or highlighting your clients or customers in a meaningful way.
While the specifics of an effective engagement post will vary depending on your business and target audience, there are a few best practices that you should keep in mind:
Use eye-catching visuals
People are more likely to engage with posts that are visually appealing. Use high-quality images, videos, or graphics to make your post stand out from the crowd.
For example, a retailer showcasing new pieces they’ve added to their clothing range could post…
Visual: an image or video of some of the new clothing pieces
Content: “Check out latest range of clothing! 😍 Is anyone else loving these colours?
Ask thought-provoking questions
The best engagement posts are those that get your followers thinking. Ask questions that are designed to spark conversation and encourage people to share their own experiences or opinions.
For example, a wellness coach could post:
Visual: a person relaxing in a comfortable chair, outside in the sun, with headphones on and eyes closed.
Content: “What's your favourite way to unwind after a long day? We're looking for new ideas!”
Keep it short and sweet
While longer posts can be effective in certain contexts, engagement posts are best kept short and to the point. Try to keep your post between 50-150 words to encourage maximum engagement.
For example, a cafe could post…
Visual: An image of the smoothie bowl or a couple of images – one of the smoothie bowl alongside one of someone enjoying the smoothie bowl, looking energised, healthy, and happy
Content: Have you tried our new smoothie bowl yet? It's the perfect breakfast to kick-start your day in a healthy way!
Be authentic
Your followers can tell when you're being genuine – and when you're just trying to sell a product. Be authentic in your engagement posts and focus on cultivating real connections with your audience.
For example, a disability support services organisation could share:
Visual: team members and participants* enjoying a day out in the sun
Content: We're so grateful for our amazing community! What's one thing you're thankful for today? ❤️
* no-matter what industry you’re in, whenever using imagery of participants, customers, clients, team members, make sure you have permission to post/share the images before publishing
Engagement Post Examples
Still not sure what an effective engagement post looks like? Here are a few more examples of different industries and content they can share to create engagement.
Health and wellness:
- Do you have any tips for staying active during the winter months? We'd love to hear your favourite workouts or activities! ❄️🏋️♀️
- Poll: What’s more important? Cardio or Strength.
Food and beverage:
- What's your go-to coffee when you’re really struggling in the morning and need an extra kickstart? Does it differ from your normal coffee?
- Happy National Pizza Day! 🍕 What's your favourite pizza topping combination? Or if you want to create some real controversy run a poll – Pineapple on pizza. Yes or No.
Beauty and fashion:
- It's #FashionFriday! Show us your favourite outfit that makes you feel unstoppable! 👗💄
- If you could have an unlimited supply of our moisturiser or our cleanser, which would it be?
Technology:
- What's the best tech hack you've learned recently?
- Do you use AI in your business? Yes or No, and why?
Travel:
- Where's the next place on your travel bucket list? 🌎✈️ Tell us below!
- What’s your favourite travel hack? Mine’s …
Engagement: The key to successful social media
Engagement posts are a crucial part of any successful social media marketing strategy. By focusing on creating content that encourages your followers and ideal clients to interact with you in a meaningful way, you're cultivating real connections with them.
And this builds a community of loyal fans who are invested in your success. So why not hop on the engagement bandwagon and start sparking some serious conversation with your followers today?
