“Like this post!” “Please like our page.” “Follow me” “Click the thumbs up button.” “Hello?” “Please like this cool post.” No matter how you ask to get more likes, these kinds of requests are going to be ignored.
Whether you’re posting a link on Facebook to your latest and greatest blog post or a picture of a new team member, if people don’t “like” it, your efforts for exposure are lost. Right? Not exactly. But, that’s a topic for another time.
For now, we’ll just say that while it is important to have engagement in general, likes on individual pasts are not the be-all-and-end-all of social media.
But, back to the original problem.
How does one get more likes? You must put some authentic energy into creating a content that is…(gasp) likable! Build an interesting, inspiring page with awesome posts that make your audience want to get engaged and spread the word.
Many small businesses wonder why some posts get ignored while other get a strong reaction. Brace yourself, we’re about to get blunt here. The answer is simply: they are being annoying.
It’s not a coincidence. It’s strategy…and here’s how it works:
1. Make it easy.
Make it easy for your audience to like your page with the click of a button. Put a “LIKE” box on your website, ask your friends to like your page, and place a link to your Facebook page everywhere including email signatures, blogs, business cards, etc.
2. Timing matters.
It’s critical to post your content at optimal times. We’ve addressed this subject in a previous post; posting at the right time is actually different for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to maximize engagement.
3. Hashtag.
Hashtags are a game changer… make your content easier to find and increase variability. Studies show 1-2 yields the best results on Facebook and Twitter (any more than that and your engagement rate drops). Find a balance between adding relevant hashtags and overdoing it with completely random lines of text.
4. Post Photos of Humans.
When you include pictures of people, engagement spikes. Time to bust out that selfie stick! Highlight customers of the month/week, take pictures of the team behind the scenes, include pictures from events and around the community. If they are online, tag them in it.
5. Don’t be All Business.
Put more of the focus on your audience – the customers, rather than posting constant advertisements.
6. Ask Questions.
Questions naturally encourage comments when people want to reply with answers. Ask for opinions on a product of subject. Or ask a rhetorical question which inspires people to react by hitting the like button almost as a vote of approval. For example, if a plumbing service shows a miserable looking person trying to fix their sink next to an image of someone lounging on the beach. The accompanying copy could read, “Don’t you have better things to do?” This rhetorical question can get the views imagining the benefits of your service.
7. Tag Other Accounts.
When you tag someone, they receive a notification; they may choose to like it or better yet, share it with their followers which gives you even greater reach.
8. Share Across Channels.
Share your Facebook post to your Twitter account pushing some of that traffic to your Facebook company page.
9. Post Great Content.
We’re talking amazing content. Quality content trumps quantity of content. Also, remember to research the trends. Find out what type of content your audience engages with most often and replicate those efforts.
10. Sometimes You Gotta Pay.
It’s not a bad thing, but it is a fact. Organic reach on Facebook in particular is over. Businesses need to pay to play in many cases now, in order to protect consumers. Consider running ads to build your page likes – but don’t just beg for likes! Provide value. If you are a realtor, offer insight into local market trends. If you are a health food brand, promise daily or weekly healthy living recipes or tips.
Become Likeable with Post Café
Put these 10 proactive tips into practice to increase the engagement on your business’ Facebook Page today. Post Café helps small businesses around the country by providing the valuable content they need to get noticed on social media. Connect with us today to learn more.
