If you’re just getting started with social media, it can be very frustrating if you’re not getting a lot of interaction. You may feel like you’re putting a lot of effort into creating great content and no one is responding. Unfortunately there isn’t a magic wand that can make you instantly Internet popular, but here are some tips for improving your interaction and getting on the right path.
- Be Consistent – No one is going to read your blog or follow you on Twitter if you post a bunch one week and then disappear for several weeks. If social media is important to your online strategy, then add it to your daily to-do list just like anything else.
- Create a Content Calendar – If you have a hard time figuring out what to write when you do have time, take some time to figure out what topics you want to cover and then brainstorm some post ideas. Take your list and divide it out onto your calendar. It’ll be much easier to post consistently if you don’t have to take time to figure out what to post as well.
- Read & Respond – While you’re drinking your morning coffee or during lunch, take time to read what others in your industry are writing. Respond to their posts by commenting, sharing or creating a post with your own thoughts (this can be a great source of post ideas).
- Share, Share & Share some More – When you’re reading other blogs, if you find something your target audience would be interested in, share it! Post it to Twitter, Facebook, Stumbleupon, etc. You’re not only providing great content to build up your own audience, you’ll start to get noticed by those whose content you’re sharing.
- Chat it Up! – No one is going to talk to you if you don’t ever talk to anyone else. It’s the classic wall flower scenario. You’re sitting along the wall of the gym watching everyone else have fun dancing and wish you could join. Well, don’t wait! Start trying to chat with people in your industry.
- Distribute Your Content – It’s awesome when your readers submit your work to social networks, but that requires that you actually have readers. Until you’ve grown your audience, distribute your content out through your various social networks and share it anywhere it makes sense. Just be aware of any community-specific guidelines. Some sites may frown upon submitting your own content.
- Connect online and off – One of the best ways to connect with people online is to meet with people offline. When you go to conferences or networking events, collect social media profiles along with business cards. Followup online by sending them a message.
- Ask for Help – When you do have a few people connected to you, ask them directly to comment on or share your latest post. Most of the time people are willing to help you out if you just ask.
Those are just a few ideas for increasing your social media interactions. Ask other people in your industry what works for them and do a little experimentation.
What’s worked to increase interaction for you?
(photo by Vincent Teuwen)