2023 Update: The team over at Threecolts have come up with a great comprehensive update to new social media trends. It’s a great addition to the below article and we encourage you to check it out here: https://www.threecolts.com/blog-articles/social-media-statistics-2023
If you’ve been watching our 15-Minute Webmaster classes or reading our blogs over the past few months, you will have heard us talk about engaging your audience on Social Media. In today’s world, social media, regardless of which platform you choose to use, is an integral part of marketing and communication. Over half of the world’s population is on social media (1). But, what does it really mean to engage your audience on social media?
It’s easy to get caught up in what you are putting out on social media and your own statistics. How many people reacted to your post? Shared your post? Watched, read, or engaged with your post? How do those numbers compare with your last post and the one before that? This is important information, no doubt, but guard against being stuck on incoming data.
Communication, and more specifically, engagement is a two-way street. Just as you want people to like, comment, and share, individuals are looking for the same recognition. Plus, by engaging with your audience as individuals, you will organically increase your likes, follows, and engagements.
Always, always, always respond to comments. If someone has taken the time to comment on your post, acknowledge them! Like or love, and comment back. If possible, sneak in an open-ended question to continue the conversation. Obviously, this depends on the content of your post, but an invitation to attend an event is another way to go. “I hope you can make it,” or “Can’t wait to meet you/see you (in-person or virtually),” are two great options.
You don’t have to wait for someone to respond to your post to engage with them! Take note of your frequent flyers (people who engage frequently), and seek them out. What are they up to? See what they are posting about and what is going on in their lives. Like and comment as appropriate. Not only can this inform your ministry, you will also get to know your community better and you will let them know that you care about them.
If your ministry is part of a group, engage there as well. Groups are organized around a unifying topic or theme. You can become a leader within the group by adding to the dialogue. This does not mean post your sermon or events every week. It means to take an engaged approach to what other people are posting about. Make insightful comments and cheer other people on, while occasionally sharing content from your ministry. By approaching the group in a proactive manner, you will shine a positive light on your ministry.
When someone has liked or loved your post, invite them to like or follow your page. Facebook has an easy reminder that will pop-up in Notifications to encourage you to invite folks to like your page after they’ve liked a post. Do it. Every time. They won’t always like or follow your page, but many people will say yes. This will increase your followers and your organic post reach.
It’s also important to invite individuals to attend events. Use a personal account to invite community members or to send them reminder messages about upcoming events. Remember, it usually takes 7-11 times of seeing a piece of marketing for a person to follow through and respond.
Acknowledging engagements is similar to inviting individuals. When someone shares your post, like or love their shared post. Add a comment if it is appropriate. Or if someone tags your ministry in a post, acknowledge the engagement and re-share their post. The more you interact with your followers, the more they will engage with you.
Does this all seem a little overwhelming? We totally understand. It can be a lot to sort out where to spend your time and how much time to spend. Worship Times is here to help. We are a team of communication, digital marketing, and ministry professionals are here for you and your ministry.
Not only does Worship Times offer complete website design and building, we also offer social media set-up, planning, and content creation. Whatever level of support you need in the digital world, we will customize the perfect plan for your ministry. Start with a Free Website Review today.
If you are just getting started on social media, or feel like you are shouting into the void, begin with this 15-Minute Webmaster Class to make sure you are on the right platform. Worship Times offers these free classes weekly on Thursdays for the community. Replays are available in our Worship Times Partners Group.
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