The Rule of Social Engagement

Goodnex David
4 min readJun 14, 2024

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Beyond Likes and Comments

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

(I’ll tell you something you already know but found to be a cliché, you need engagement tactics away from joining a POD — because newsflash, we can tell).

You already know the drill: post consistently, churn content, and chase engagement numbers.a

But, what if there’s a better way - that not only grabs attention but also leads to real connections and conversions?

The often overlooked, yet crucial aspect of social media success: meaningful conversation.

It goes beyond the “reaction” button, get you noticed and remembered by your ideal client avatar (ICA).

The comments section has been touch points for nearly all clients I’ve work(ed)ing with.

Here are the 4 tactics that have helped me get it.

Value ≠ Volume

Sprinting through your daily list may (not) be the thing you need at this moment. Volume is good but Value is memorable. Focus on leaving thoughtful, insightful comments that show you’ve read and understood the content.

Aim for comments that spark a response. Use this ex. 👇

  • “This resonates with me because…” (Shares a one line sentence personal experience)
  • “I’ve been thinking about this too, and…” (Expanding on the discussion)
  • “Your point about X is spot on. Have you considered Y?” (Adding value with your POV)

You’d know you’re memorable with replies like:

  • “Oh, I had you on my mind with this.”
  • “I look out for your contributions.”
  • “A tag or mention to expand on a POV shared.”

Now, would you prefer, scoring numbers or being memorable?

Humor:

A well-timed joke is an engagement goldmine. It breaks the ice, makes you relatable, and fosters connections. I’ve made great connections simply by making relatable funnies in the comments. One of my most viral comment has a Nigerian street slang ‘Lobatan’ mixed up in it. However, humor needs to be appropriate to the post and for your audience.

Don’t be afraid to plug in some personality when the occasion calls for it.

Btw, LinkedIn heard it first

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Empathy: The Key to Building Trust

Social media isn’t just about self-promotion. It’s about building genuine connections. When someone shares a vulnerable post, avoid generic responses like “I know exactly how you feel.” Instead, offer empathy by saying something like “I can only imagine how challenging that must be.”

Don’t give unsolicited advice or recommendations unless the poster expressly asks for it. Don’t assume or pretend to know what someone is going through. Instead, empathize with them or move on.

Recalls: Building Besties and Showing You Care

Neela and I are besties here and beyond. We recall each other’s posts and values shared. We make jokes and reference where it matters. Remembering details from a past conversation shows you’re genuinely interested in the person. Reference a shared value, a funny inside joke, or a point they made previously. This builds trust and demonstrates you’re paying attention to your ICA’s journey. Recalls go beyond saving posts to repurpose — they show genuine care and connection.

Appreciation: The Power of a Thank You

Expressing gratitude for the value someone shares goes a long way. Tell a short story about how their content impacted you. Do this genuinely, in the DM, without attaching a sales pitch. This strengthens the connection and leaves a lasting impression.

Follow-Up Questions: Sparking Engaging Conversations

Asking follow-up questions is great, but before you do, share your own observation based on the content. Then, tie your question to a specific point or trend to encourage an in-depth response. This fosters a more meaningful conversation.

Social media success isn’t about a “like” frenzy. It’s about building genuine connections through engagement transforming casual interactions into valuable relationships that lead to real results.

It can be exhausting, (nothing ever is that easy) yet can not be ignored. That’s why big brands put in the effort to engage with their audience - how much more you.

A better deal.

I specialize in helping creatives, coaches & small business owners drive real conversations with their audience using engagement strategies that nurture relationships, account growth, and deliver results. So can they can focus on working on their business without anxiety over reach or algorithms.

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I’ll be happy to help you maintain a thriving online presence that boast your KLT factor making conversion easier.

If you’re ready to go now, let’s schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific goals and explore how I can help you achieve them.

You can also email me with the subject line ‘Engagement’.

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See you in the comments ✍️

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Goodnex David
Goodnex David

Written by Goodnex David

Story-Led Content n' Engagement Strategist for Consultants. Growing visibility, building relevant audience, and driving conversation that upsell your offers

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