The Secret to Increasing Engagements on Instagram

It’s All About Connections! 

Have you ever tried to build an audience on your social media page, but despite how hard you try, you are not seeing any more engagement than usual? You think to yourself- “What the heck! I post, I like other people's photos, and I post in my stories. According to all of the research, I should be seeing more engagement on my page!” 

 

As teachers, we know all about the importance of building connections and forming relationships. Once you build a relationship with a follower, they are more likely to buy your product or your resource because they trust you and feel like you care. Makes sense right? So how do we build these connections? Let’s take a look at a couple of my favorite ways to intentionally create and build that connection with your audience and get your business known! 

 

Responding meaningfully 

 Social media is called social media for a reason-- for people to be social-- and that's what your audience wants. The question now is, how do we form these connections? You need to be responding meaningfully. So, what is meaningful? 

 

It goes beyond the comments like “This is awesome!”, “Love this”, or “This is great!”. Sure, it is nice to get comments on your posts and you do appreciate them but does that show our audience that you are truly invested in them? Probably not. 

 

So, what can we do instead? You should actually listen or read what they are saying and respond one on one! Give them the information they can use and that they would find valuable. If you love something, tell them why you love it and what specifically jumped out at you. If they ask a question in their caption, answer it and get a conversation going. The same goes for stories. Do not just do a basic emoji; take the time to talk to them. Find some common ground and start a conversation. This will start true bonds and relationships.

 

You strive for those genuine connections and so does your audience. When they see that you are taking the time to read their captions, to watch their reels or videos, and to comment, it makes them feel excited and shows them how much you care. 

So, get meaningful. 

 

Talk to the Individual 

 Let’s start this off with an example we see in teaching all of the time.  I want you to imagine students walking into your classroom. We have two scenarios I want you to envision. 

 

  1. Scenario 1-  As each student walks into your room you say “Hey John”, “Hello Stacy”, “Nice to see you Brad”. You personally tell each one of those students hello.
  2. Now envision scenario 2- Each student walks in your room and once they all are in their seats you say “Hello everyone”. You greet the class as a whole. 

 

Is there anything wrong with either one of these scenarios-- absolutely not! However, which scenario is building connections with your students and making them feel important? The first scenario, right? 

 

The same can be said with social media. In your stories and lives, you get to choose if you are talking to a big room of “everyone” or having a conversation with a friend one on one. It is all about how you address your message! I get it. It is nice to say “Hey everyone” so it feels like more people are watching than just your mom and best friend; BUT does it make that one person watching feel like you are addressing them personally or just a room they happen to be in? 

 

One simple difference you can make is to use the word “you” instead of “everyone”. Just this simple change will make your audience feel as though they are talking to a friend and make them want to keep on coming back. 



Be patient and nourish those friendships 

 

Personally, I think this point might be the most important one. Making true, genuine connections is not going to happen after one or two comments and direct messages. It takes consistency, effort, time, and patience. You cannot expect after a couple of comments, for you and the person you are engaging with to become best friends; however, if you continue to nourish this relationship, it will blossom. Continue to comment, continue to reach out, continue to join lives and to participate in their stories. Your audience will notice. 

 

Overtime, what you will begin to see is an audience on your social media that trusts you, and wants to invest in your product. This is how you grow a successful business that continues to thrive. Not only will the audience invest in your product, but they will recommend you to their friends, and all of a sudden, you will find yourself with a little community with common ground. 

But again, CONSISTENCY and ENGAGEMENT is key. 

 

What else would you like to know about building genuine connections with your audience? Let us know in our Free Thriving Teacher Facebook Group.

 

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