“Likes” are the most valuable form of currency on Facebook. A like is equivalent to an online “I agree”—a vote of popularity, a virtual affirmation from your audience. But, simply publishing a post or a picture doesn’t guarantee that the likes will come rolling in. There’s strategy behind maximizing Facebook likes, and all it takes is a little bit of time and effort.
First, set realistic and measurable goals. If you average about 20 likes per post, for example, shoot for 30- not 130. Set a time frame to achieve your goals; one month is a reasonable amount for short-term goals. Next, turn to your Facebook home page. If it’s cluttered, disorganized, or unprofessional, users will likely ignore both your page and any content you post. To avoid this, make sure you have a high-quality profile picture, an easily navigable page, and content that’s relevant and meaningful to your target audience.
Once you’ve made sure your Facebook page is up to date and organized, cross-promote it on other social media channels. All of your platforms should strengthen and complement one another; what you post on Twitter should supplement what you share on Facebook, and your latest post on Instagram should tie back to Twitter.
On Facebook, as well as the rest of your social media accounts, post from the perspective of your audience. They read your posts because they believe the content is useful and relevant to their lives, not yours. To help keep your writing consumer-centric, ask yourself “why should they care?” not “why should I care?”
After you’ve typed out a meaningful message to your audience, re-read it to make sure it sounds like something written by a real human. Remember, your readers are human too. The best content is relatable and sounds like it was typed by someone made of flesh and blood, not a robot. If people comment or ask questions, respond to them in a timely manner, and not with a generic, cookie-cutter mold. Be authentic.
Finally, engage with other profiles and organizations on Facebook as well as other social media sites. Engaging with your audience puts you on their radar and proves that you’re active, involved, and again, real. If you follow these few simple steps and invest yourself in what you’re doing online, you’re sure to see more likes on your next Facebook post.
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