By Gina Watkins –
It’s a question almost as old as Facebook itself: Once people have “Liked” your Page, how do you keep them engaged? One of the best ways is to use the right kind of content — the kind that will elicit a response and get your fans to take action.
Ready to engage some more on Facebook? Here are five simple ways:
1. Use photos. According to a recent report from digital marketing agency Web Liquid, Facebook posts with photos are the most likely to engage users. These posts showed a .37% engagement rate, compared to a .27% rate for text-only posts and a .15% rate for just links. If you think about it, this shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Photos, obviously, grab attention visually and people must click them to get a closer look. So use an intriguing photo to get people’s attention. Be sure to say something about the photo, too. We’ve seen people using this space to write more without having to link off Facebook.
2. Use video. Use video. Video can be richly engaging, allowing viewers to see and hear the speaker or view the action far more richly than words alone. Like photos, people must click to get a closer look. Videos also take up more real estate in a newsfeed, making them easier to notice. In fact, in the Web Liquid study, video posts had the second-highest engagement rate (.31%). Remember to make them short & sweet, 30-90 seconds, for the greatest impact.
3. Ask questions to increase comments. Ask questions to increase comments. Encourage people to engage with you – and each other – by regularly asking questions. Readers will know you value their opinions, and while not everyone will comment, questions will encourage many more to participate than statements alone. Just be sure to ask your fans explicitly for a comment (see the next tip).
4. Use clear calls to action. Would you like someone to comment, share, or “Like” your update? All you have to do is ask. Another recent report, this time from Momentus Media, showed that posts asking users to “like” them had an engagement rate of .38%, compared to an .11% rate for posts without that call to action.
5. Write longer updates. You may think short and sweet is the way to go, but you shouldn’t be afraid to share longer stories with your fans. Longer Facebook status updates show higher interaction than shorter ones. So when you need to, elaborate! This may give readers a better chance to connect with your update.
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What have you seen in regards to engagement on your Facebook Page? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/constantcontact.
About the Author: Gina Watkins is a leading expert on e-marketing for small business – and has a real passion for helping businesses to succeed. Her ongoing series of dynamic lectures are filled with real-world examples, humor and results-driven wisdom garnered from more than two decades of sales, business development and marketing experience. In addition to owning her own business, she is an award-winning direct marketer, has been featured on WUSA Channel 9’s Mind Over Money show, Dr. Gayle Carson’s Women In Business radio show, Morgan State’s Briefcase Radio program, and in numerous other media. In her role as Constant Contact Regional Development Director, she’s presented to more than ten thousand seminar attendees about the keys to success with easy, affordable, highly effective technology tools that grow trusted business relationships.