How to Increase Engagement on Facebook Without Advertising

Facebook has more than two billion active users, making it one of the world’s biggest social media networks. It’s also one of the most competitive, especially when it comes to earning likes and comments on your company’s posts. So, how can you increase engagement on Facebook?

Use these eight simple strategies!

1.      Ask questions that promote discussion

When you ask a question, it requires a response. This, in turn, leads to even greater user engagement on your Facebook page. People love to provide their thoughts on products and services.

Use your Facebook page as a platform for users to voice their opinion.

A business in the retail industry, for example, can ask customers to share their thoughts on the company’s newest fashion line. A bakery, on the other hand, may benefit from asking clients what they’d like to see on the menu in the future.

No matter your industry, your customers’ thoughts are always valid.

Plus, social media is all about sharing one’s thoughts. When prospective clients scroll through their Facebook feed, they want to see posts that value what they have to say.

Asking questions on Facebook drive your engagement. They also provide you with valuable information about your target market’s thoughts on your products, services, and branding.

2.      Make videos

Videos are a great marketing tool for several reasons, including:

Remember that on social media, you’re competing for your customers’ attention.

While your audience probably encounters dozens of ads and posts each day on this site, a video is a surefire way to stop them in their tracks and command their attention.

Videos will help attract new faces to your Facebook page, too. Since these content forms are easy to share and engage users fast, they’ll play a crucial role in driving your engagement and building your branding online.

3.      Know your audience

Do you know who your intended audience is on Facebook?

If you produce content without any idea of who you’re hoping to reach, you won’t see results. Your target audience won’t comment or like your posts. They may even unfollow your account, which doesn’t help your social media marketing strategy.

That’s why one of the most critical steps in increasing engagement on Facebook focuses on creating content that reflects the interest of your consumers. Research your audience, from their wants to their pain points, and you can build a compelling calendar of content.

If you run a restaurant and your audience shows an interest in cookware reviews, for example, share more of this content on your page. If educational pieces get a better response for your business, link to informative blog posts instead.

Discover what works best for your audience and prioritize this content on your page.

4.      Stick to a schedule

You may think that phenomenal posts are the secret to high engagement levels.

While that’s true, engagement on Facebook depends on other factors, like a consistent schedule. If you’re only posting once or twice a year, you won’t achieve the level of engagement that you want on this platform.

When your business goes a long time without posting, it can make your Facebook page seem abandoned or inactive. A level of inactivity like that can deter users from contacting your business or visiting your store.

Every time a user redirects to your profile, they should encounter new and inviting content that’ll provide them with a reason to stay on your page.

Once you know what kind of content your audience likes, create a content calendar that outlines a publishing schedule. Make sure you stick to this schedule. That way, you can ensure your Facebook page always has new and fresh content.

If you use tools like Buffer, your team can even schedule posts ahead of time.

5.      Discover the ideal time to post

Companies often post at random times throughout the day and night, which is why so many businesses struggle to increase engagement on their Facebook posts. If you post at the wrong time, it’s easy for your followers to miss your posts.

That’s why you need to find the best time to share your content. Analyze when your followers and audience members are most active. Use these patterns as a source of guidance when posting your content.

If your posts target college students, you may be more likely to capture their attention when they’re scrolling through their feed at night. A business selling coffee products, however, may have more success posting in the morning instead.

Discover the time that seems to generate the most traffic on your page. Then, arrange for your content to publish during those peak hours, maximizing the number of comments and likes earned by your posts.

6.      Feature your customers’ content

Nothing motivates a Facebook user to engage with a business on social media than the chance to earn a public shout-out. That’s why user-generated content (UGC) is so valuable to companies on social media.

For example, if you’re a business that sells cameras, you could post videos created by users with your cameras. GoPro is an example of a company that uses this strategy in their marketing campaigns.

Another scenario is a business in the retail industry. If you’re a clothing retailer, you can showcase your products to consumers by featuring pictures of customers wearing your attire.

When people earn a shout-out from a brand on social media, it can build their loyalty. It can also encourage them to share the posts with everyone in their social network, from friends to family to coworkers.

Plus, the image or video of a satisfied customer can motivate followers to purchase your product, sign-up for your email newsletter, or visit your store. These are all actions that help your company grow, as well as achieve its marketing goals.

With user-created content, the possibilities are endless.

7.      Showcase your brand

If you want to increase your engagement on Facebook and other social media platforms, then you need to have a brand that’s interesting and unique. A company that sounds like every other business doesn’t generate the same engagement as a company with personality.

Show your organization’s personality and brand in the tone and wording of your posts.

Make sure your team also engages with users as much as possible. Respond to comments, ask follow-up questions, and more to make your brand stand apart from other businesses in your industry.

8.      Evaluate your work

Are there specific posts that seem to work best for your business? Did one piece of content generate more buzz and engagement? What separated that post from your other content?

It’s crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of your current Facebook marketing tactics continually. With this proactive step, you can make quick adjustments to your strategy, resulting in better results and engagement.

Plus, you can discover new ways to reach your audience. When you experiment with different strategies, you also keep ahead of your competition, which can help your business grow.

Maximize your Facebook engagement today

If your business has a Facebook page, it can’t afford to miss out on the benefits of an effective and successful marketing campaign. The key to achieving success in your digital marketing efforts is to engage your audience and convert consumers into loyal customers. Do your branding efforts accomplish this goal?

If not, we’re here to help.

At WebFX, we feature a dedicated team of more than 200 digital marketing specialists and more than 20 years of experience. Learn how we can develop the best social media marketing strategy for your business by contacting us today.