There is a list of 10 tricks and tips. . . just kidding. Sorry, we don’t want to sound generic here, so we are going to go a different route. One that we hope gives you more value for less, you know. . . filler content we’ll call it.
Don’t get us wrong, those tips and tricks are definitely important and are key factors in squeezing the most reach/engagement you can organically. But if you aren’t doing the one and only thing that precedes the tricks then you might as well throw your time down the proverbial gutter. You’re probably used to hearing “money down the drain (or gutter)” but never your time, the oh-so invaluable commodity we all have and can never get more of, right? Well you can be wasting lots of it if you aren’t doing this one thing.
Are you ready for it?
Be human. That is it. Actually act like you’ve talked to someone before and don’t just be selling. We are confident to guess that you’re thinking something similar to, “It can’t possibly be that easy, can it? What’s the catch?”
No catch. None. It is so incredibly simple yet so many fail with it time and time again. When you look at social media (we know we have gone over this before, so for repeat readers, we apologize), the first word in it is social. That’s all you have to do, interact with people online for a couple hours each day.
“But I do that, still nothing.”
Okay, so maybe there is a catch after all. But, this is not the catch you probably were catastrophizing in your head before you got to this moment. The catch is, you have to be the one creating the content that initiates the interaction.
Being human is what social media is about. After all, it is “social” for a reason. Facebook was founded on being able to connect and stay connected with people around the world. Keyword: connected.
In 2019, as a result of the data scandals that plagued the back-half of 2018, we are seeing a trend towards more conversational/conversation starting content. Oh, and it really, really does have to be produced originally by you (or by your company/on behalf of your company. Point is, no longer are the days when you can take something off the web and just post it, or repost some other larger accounts content. You must generate a conversation around your content.
The algorithms, like we stated as a result of the data scandals, are even not giving you content similar to what you interacted with or that you personally are most likely to interact with. Instead, at least Facebook, is now showing and trying to show, more of what you’re most likely to interact with based off your network. So, if you go on and see a hilarious video and see a lot of the people you are friends with/interact heavily with had engaged with it, that is why you’re seeing it and this is precisely the direction they want to move forward in. They want to show you more content that generates a conversation, so “shove it down your throat” sales posts are definitely not going to work.
Instead, before you try to “hack” the algorithms to gain more exposure, reach, and engagement, make sure you first are producing high quality, original content, that is relevant and of value to the end consumer.
Things like responding to comments, messages, inquiries, feedback (yes, especially if bad!), posting user-generated content, enticing people to start a conversation around your brand/content, are great ways to ensure you’re being human and not robotic.
Lots of organizations and even people make the mistake of becoming robotic, monotone, and boring when they take on the social platforms. They think they need to be super-professional.
Yes, you do need to keep it classy. However, you don’t need to be predictable about what you’re posting and making sure everything is perfectly formal. Don’t be that. Be human, make real connections, keep those connections, add value to them, and you will have a loyal following in no time (disclaimer – it actually does take a long time to build an authentic, loyal following).
We posted about this awhile ago but we feel it is just as important now than ever, if not more important now than ever. “Create content that inspires and watch your audience build itself.” Basically, create genuine, original content for your brand that adds value to the target audience. Do this consistently with 110% effort, and your audience will build itself and attract itself to you.
The Creative Blog 
Leave a comment