How to ask better questions and use polls for more engagement
Let’s talk about starting conversations on social media. Because yes, you might be posting consistently – gold star for that – but are people actually chatting back?
If you’ve ever dropped a question into your caption or popped a sticker on your Story only to be met with complete silence, you are not alone. We’ve all been there – eagerly posting something designed to start a chat and getting absolutely nothing back.
Today, we’re talking about how to craft questions and polls that actually get responses, why simplicity is your best friend, and how to use these tools to build real connection (not just boost those engagement stats).
Why questions and polls work
When you ask your audience a question or use a poll, you’re doing more than just prompting interaction. You’re showing your followers you care about their thoughts. You’re inviting them into a two-way conversation rather than broadcasting at them.
Because the thing is, social media is supposed to be social. If you don’t open the door and invite people to take part, they won’t. Most people won’t offer their opinion unless they’re directly asked. And even then, they’re far more likely to respond to something quick and simple than anything that requires effort.
Questions and polls are great because they:
Take the pressure off your audience to write long responses
Invite low-effort engagement (a tap or a short comment)
Send signals to the algorithm that people are interested in your content
Why simple questions are powerful
Let me let you in on a little secret: the simpler the question, the better the engagement. I’ve learned this the hard way.
Some of the best engagement I’ve ever had came from incredibly simple prompts:
Tea or coffee?
Morning or evening person?
Favourite working snack?
My most commented-on post ever was one where I boldly stated that Tetley tea is the best – and I was willing to die on that hill. People had opinions, and they weren’t afraid to share them.
And sometimes it’s not even about what you’re saying. I’ve seen reels and posts go wild simply because there was something quirky or unexpected happening in the background – like someone peeling ginger with a spoon (true story). It sparked hundreds of comments even though it wasn’t the point of the content.
So don’t overthink it. If your question requires a paragraph in response, most people won’t bother. But if it’s fun, light-hearted, and takes seconds to answer? You’ve got a winner.
Polls vs question boxes: which is better?
In my opinion? Polls win, hands down.
Why? Because they’re so low-effort for your audience. A simple tap, and they’re done.
That said, question boxes definitely have their place. They’re great when you’re:
Asking for recommendations (books, podcasts, time-saving tools)
Collecting opinions on industry-related topics
Hosting a fun ‘Ask Me Anything’ when you’ve got some downtime
Just remember: question boxes require a bit more from your audience, so make sure what you’re asking feels worth their time.
How to write more engaging polls
Polls don’t have to be boring. You can inject your brand voice and personality into them by getting creative with your answer options.
Let’s say you’re asking: "When do you work best?"
Instead of "morning" and "evening," try:
I’m an early bird – show me the worm 🐤
I’m best at night – full moon vibes only 🐺
Permanently exhausted pigeon over here 😴
It’s silly, but it makes people smile – and more importantly, it makes them more likely to engage.
Polls are also brilliant for decision-making. Need help naming a product or choosing a freebie title? Ask your audience to vote. It’s just like asking friends or family IRL, only now you’ve got a much bigger focus group.
What if no one replies?
Let me tell you something important: getting no replies is totally normal.
It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It usually means the question was too complicated, you asked too much of people’s brainpower, or maybe you posted at the wrong time. But the truth? No one knows you didn’t get replies – except you.
And if it was a Story, it’s gone in 24 hours anyway. So move on. Try again. Keep experimenting.
Using polls and questions to build connection
This isn’t about engagement for the sake of numbers – it’s about building relationships.
When someone taps on a poll or replies to your question, that’s your moment. Respond. Start a conversation. Don’t just say “thanks” and carry on with your day. Say:
“Thanks! Will you try the tip I shared?”
“Thanks for your vote – do you work mornings too?”
Just like you’d chat to someone in a queue. That interaction builds familiarity, which builds trust, which turns followers into customers.
Want to build your Stories confidence?
If using polls, questions, and showing up in Stories still feels a bit intimidating, I’ve got something for you: my Five-Day Stories Challenge.
It’s an email-based challenge (no live element, no pressure!) that helps you:
Get strategic with Stories
Use questions and polls in a way that actually gets replies
Show up with more confidence and less ick
It’s just £10, and you’ll get five days of fun, simple prompts you can use again and again.
Fancy giving it a go? Sign up to be challenged (in a fun way) right here - Instagram Stories five day challenge.
what did we learn?
Keep your questions simple and easy to answer
Use polls for quick wins and more engagement
Don’t stress if you get no replies – it happens to all of us
Use your DMs to start conversations and build trust
So go on – ask a question today. The answers might surprise you!
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