Social media calls to action - getting your followers to engage
Your social media posts might be full of valuable insights, but without a strong call to action (CTA), your audience might not know what to do next. A well-crafted CTA is the secret to turning passive scrollers into active participants. So, let’s explore how to get your followers engaging with you!
Why CTAs matter
A post without a CTA is like handing someone a map with no destination – they’ll wander aimlessly or, more likely, go somewhere else. Your CTA tells your audience exactly what to do next, whether that’s leaving a comment, saving your post, or clicking the link in your bio.
Your audience wants direction – they just need a little nudge. Let’s make sure your CTAs are working for you!
The three types of CTAs
To keep your audience engaged, mix up your CTAs. There are three main types:
Engagement CTAs – Encourage people to interact with your content.
Conversion CTAs – Drive people to take a specific action, like signing up for a freebie or booking a call.
Community-building CTAs – Strengthen relationships and foster connections with your audience.
Let’s break each of them down.
1. Engagement CTAs - spark the conversation
If you want more comments, likes, and shares, you need to ask! Try these easy, no-pressure CTAs:
“Drop an emoji in the comments if this resonates with you!”
“Tell me – have you tried this before?”
“Which one do you relate to most: A, B, or C?”
“Double tap if you agree!”
“Save this post for later if you found it helpful.”
People love quick and easy interactions, so make it effortless for them to engage.
2. Conversion CTAs - turning engagement into action
Engagement is great, but if you’re running a business, you want people to take the next step. Try these CTAs to move your audience from engagement to action:
“DM me the word ‘help’ if you want more details.”
“Spots are filling up! Book your call before they’re gone.”
“Tap the link to get started today.”
“Tag a friend who needs to see this!”
These CTAs work best when paired with a little urgency or exclusivity – people are more likely to act when they feel like they might miss out!
3. Community-building CTAs - strengthen connections
Social media isn’t just about selling – it’s about building relationships. In fact, in my opinion, building those relationships is what social media is all about. Yes, that may lead to sales, but ultimately the role of your socials is to build the trust and move people slowly towards working with you in a kind and trusting way. These CTAs encourage your audience to feel part of something bigger:
“Let’s connect! Follow me for more tips like this.”
“What’s one struggle you have with [your topic]? Let’s chat in the comments.”
“Share your experience – I’d love to hear your thoughts!”
“Tag someone who needs to hear this message today.”
When people feel included, they’re far more likely to keep engaging with your content.
Make it sound natural
One mistake I see people make with CTAs? They feel forced. Your CTA should sound like an organic part of your post, not an afterthought.
Instead of “Leave a comment below” try “What do you think? Tell me in the comments – I’d love to hear your opinion!”
Instead of “Click the link” (which you shouldn’t be using on Instagram because you can’t use live links) try “Want more details? Send me a DM and I’ll send you more info!”
Subtle shifts in phrasing make a huge difference!
Your CTA challenge!
Ready to up your CTA game? Here’s your challenge:
Take a look at your last five Instagram posts – do they all have a clear, intentional CTA?
If not, go back and add one to each post. Make it engaging, action-driven, and natural.
Keep a mix of engagement, conversion, and community-building CTAs to keep things fresh!
And if you want even more Instagram engagement tips, download my Instagram 101 guide - The Ultimate Checklist for Avoiding Rookie Mistakes. It’s packed with quick, easy tweaks to make your Instagram work harder for you. Grab your copy here!
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