How to increase engagement with your followers

Let’s talk about engagement. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending time crafting a post, hitting publish, and then… tumbleweed. You want conversations, connections, and comments, but instead, it feels like your content is just floating into the ether, never to be seen again.

I have some good news, though: low engagement doesn’t mean your content isn’t working. Many people engage passively - they DM instead of commenting, screenshot instead of sharing, and tell you in person that they love your content but never actually hit the like button. But if you want visible engagement, there are strategies you can use to encourage more interaction and start meaningful conversations.

Let’s have a look at five actionable ways to boost engagement, build deeper connections, and make your followers feel like they’re part of something bigger.

1. Ask better questions

People love talking about themselves - so give them a reason to! Asking the right questions makes your audience more likely to comment and interact with your posts, which tells social media platforms that your content is worth showing to more people.

Try this:

• Instead of “Here’s my latest blog post,” ask “Which of these tips do you already use? Which one are you excited to try?”

• Instead of “Happy Monday! How’s your day?” ask “What’s one thing you’re working on this week that excites you?”

• Instead of “Check out my new product launch,” ask “What’s one must-have feature you always look for in a product like this?”

• Instead of “Just finished an amazing project!” ask “I loved working on this! Have you ever tackled something similar?”

Action tip: Add a question to your next post that invites a simple, conversational response. Keep it easy and engaging.

2. Use polls, quizzes, and interactive features

Social media platforms love interactive content. Polls, quizzes, sliders, and question boxes make engagement effortless for your followers - and people love to share their opinions.

Where to use interactive features:

• Instagram Stories: Polls, question stickers, and quizzes work well here.

• Facebook and LinkedIn: Try “this or that” posts (eg, “Coffee or tea?” “What’s your go-to comfort food?”) or industry-specific polls.

The easier the question, the better the response. If people only need to tap a button or type a one-word answer, they’re far more likely to engage.

Action tip: Post an Instagram Story today with a poll or question sticker to encourage easy engagement.

3. Reply to every comment (and start conversations!)

Would you ignore someone talking to you in real life? Probably not. So don’t ignore comments on your posts!

When someone leaves a comment, respond with more than just an emoji. Ask a follow-up question, add to the conversation, or make them feel noticed. This not only encourages more comments but also makes your account feel like a welcoming space.

Try this:

• Instead of replying with “Thanks!” say “Thanks! What’s your biggest challenge with this?”

• Instead of “Glad you liked it!” say “So glad! Have you tried this before?”

Action tip: Spend 10 minutes today replying to comments and asking follow-up questions.

4. Engage with others first

If you only ever post and log off, you’re missing out on engagement opportunities. Social media is social, so if you want more engagement, start giving it!

Ways to be more social:

• Comment on posts from accounts in your niche (genuinely - not just “love this!”).

• Reply to Instagram Stories to start direct conversations.

• Engage with your followers’ content - show them some love!

If you want people to engage with your posts, engage with theirs first.

Action tip: Spend 10 - 15 minutes today commenting on other people’s posts - be meaningful and start conversations.

5. Create content that invites interaction

Some types of content naturally encourage engagement more than others. The key? Make it about your audience, not just you.

Try this:

• Instead of “Here’s my new product,” say “Tell me how much you need this in your life.”

• Instead of “Here’s my top tip,” say “Here’s my top tip - what’s yours?”

• Instead of “Launching something exciting soon!” say “What’s one challenge you’d love to see solved in your industry?”

• Instead of “I love helping my clients!” say “What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in your field?”

If your content isn’t getting engagement, check your calls to action. Are you actually asking people to respond? Don’t leave it to chance - invite interaction.

Action tip: Look at your next post - can you tweak it to invite more interaction?

Growing engagement takes intentional effort, but small shifts in your approach can lead to better conversations and deeper connections.

• ✔ Ask engaging questions.

• ✔ Use interactive features like polls & quizzes.

• ✔ Reply to comments with thoughtful responses.

• ✔ Engage with others - be social on social media.

• ✔ Create content that invites interaction.

If you want a tailored strategy for boosting engagement, book a Content Power Hour with me! We’ll map out a plan to help you connect with your audience and grow your business.

That’s it for today! Give these tips a try and let me know how they work for you.

And if you need help figuring out your strategy, book a Content Power Hour with me and let’s get your content sorted!

PREFER TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONTENT? Head to my podcast over on Spotify where I’m chatting all about this very topic in episode 17!

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