Social media growth is incredibly beneficial. It offers a direct connection to a vast audience that can boost brand awareness, customer loyalty, and engagement. However, not all growth is the same. While paid strategies can give you a quick boost, they often need more authenticity and deep connections that come with organic growth on social media.
Organic growth, where your audience grows naturally through the quality of your content and interactions, is more sustainable and cost-effective. It builds a loyal community of followers genuinely interested in what you have to offer, paving the way for stronger relationships and long-term success. Let's explore six steps to help you enhance this valuable organic growth on social media.
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Organic growth on social media happens when your followers, likes, comments, and shares increase naturally without the need for paid ads. This occurs when people find your content interesting, valuable, or entertaining and decide to follow you, engage with your posts, and share your content with others.
For instance, you have a small bakery and you regularly post pictures of your delicious cakes and behind-the-scenes videos of your baking process. As more people see your posts and enjoy your sharing, they start following you and spreading the word to others. Gradually, your follower count grows without spending a dime on ads. That’s the essence of organic growth.
Now that you understand organic growth and why it's essential, let's explore the steps you can take to enhance your organic growth on social media.
To learn more about converting your social media growth into meaningful leads and business opportunities. Please read our blog on Proven Tactics to Generate Leads from Social Media.
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Your content is the bedrock of your social media presence. The key to organic audience growth lies in consistently crafting high-quality posts. These posts, when they add value, can draw in and keep followers who are genuinely interested in your content.
Creating content is easy, but creating content that stands out is an art. Your content should offer value—educating, entertaining, or inspiring your audience. When you consistently provide something unique, your audience will return for more.
Create engaging content that is relevant, timely, and visually appealing. Make sure it speaks directly to your audience's needs and interests. Whether it's a how-to guide, a funny meme, or an inspiring quote, your content should resonate with your audience and encourage them to engage through likes, comments, shares, or clicks.
Embrace Experimentation with Various Content Styles Don't be afraid to mix things up. Try different formats like videos, infographics, stories, and live streams to see what resonates best with your audience. By experimenting, you'll find the right mix that keeps your audience engaged, and you'll also discover your unique style that sets you apart from others.
Optimize your posts by using hashtags, posting at the right times, and including compelling calls-to-action (CTAs). For example, trending hashtags can help your content reach a wider audience, while a strong CTA can drive more engagement. Master these techniques to control your content's performance and ensure it reaches the right audience at the right time.
To grow on social media, it’s crucial that you not only create great content but also ensure that people see it. A great way to start is by recognizing the important role your employees play in the company's success and encouraging them to share and engage with your posts. Let's dive into how you can effectively harness employee advocacy to boost your reach.
Maximize your social media impact with employee advocacy and smart use of algorithms. For helpful tools, read our blog on Best Free Social Media Management Tools for Creators.
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Your employees are not just workers, they are powerful allies in expanding your social media reach. By empowering them to share and engage with your content, you are not only amplifying your brand's voice but also making them feel valued and integral to the company's success. This can increase organic visibility across various platforms.
Social media algorithms favor content that gets a lot of engagement. When your employees share and engage with your content, it signals to the algorithm that it is valuable, boosting its visibility.
Social media algorithms favor content that gets a lot of engagement. When your employees share and engage with your content, it signals to the algorithm that it is valuable, boosting its visibility.
Employee advocacy is when team members share your brand's content on their social media profiles. This expands your reach and adds a layer of authenticity since people tend to trust recommendations from friends and colleagues.
Several tools, like Hootsuite Amplify or Bambu by Sprout Social, facilitate employee advocacy. These platforms allow you to curate content that your employees can easily share with their networks.
Tracking Engagement and Effectiveness: It's not enough to encourage employee advocacy; you need to track how well it works. Use analytics tools to measure engagement, reach, and other key metrics to see what's working and where there's room for improvement.
After engaging your employees to expand your social media reach, the next step is to get your leadership team on board. Involving executives can boost your brand’s visibility and make an even more significant impact.
Discover the best tools to help you manage, schedule, and analyze your social media efforts more effectively. For a detailed guide, read our blog on Top 10 Social Media Management Tools For 2024.
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Involving your company's executives in social media efforts can amplify your content's reach and credibility. Their participation boosts visibility and adds a personal touch that resonates with a wider audience.
When company leaders are active on social media, it can significantly amplify your content's reach. Executives often have large networks, and their involvement adds credibility to your brand's message.
To get executives involved, encourage them to share insights, company news, or even personal stories related to the business. This humanizes your brand and can make your content more relatable. For instance, a CEO posting about how they started the company can be engaging.
Supportive Tools for Facilitating Executive Participation platforms like LinkedIn Elevate are designed to support executives in managing their social media presence. They provide curated content that's easy to share, allowing executives to stay active without spending too much time on social media.
To learn more about creating effective content on LinkedIn, read our blog on
A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating LinkedIn Content Strategy.
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After involving your executives to amplify your content, the next step is expanding your reach further by collaborating with influencers who can introduce your brand to new and engaged audiences.
Influencers already have established audiences that trust them. By collaborating with influencers, you can tap into their audience and authentically introduce your brand to potential new followers.
Influencer strategies can differ based on your target audience. For B2C (Business to Consumer), you might work with lifestyle or fashion influencers. For B2B (Business to Business), you might collaborate with industry experts or thought leaders who can speak to your audience's professional interests.
Expand collaborations beyond posts. Explore the exciting potential of live streams, co-hosting events, or engaging in cross-promotions. For example, hold a live Q&A session with an influencer to connect with their audience in real-time and provide immediate value, sparking excitement about the interactive possibilities.
After successfully collaborating with influencers to broaden your reach, the next step is to deepen those connections by actively engaging with your audience.
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Engaging with your audience is crucial for building strong, lasting relationships on social media. By actively responding to comments, messages, and interactions, you show your followers that you value their input and foster a sense of community around your brand.
Engagement is a two-way street. When your audience comments, likes or shares your content, it's essential to respond. This shows that you value their input and encourage further interaction.
Ask questions, run polls, or create challenges encouraging your audience to participate. For example, a fitness brand might ask followers to share their workout routines, creating a community around the brand.
Social listening tools like Brandwatch or Sprout Social can help you monitor people's opinions about your brand. This lets you join relevant conversations and address any issues or concerns, boosting engagement.
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Social media groups are a powerful way to connect with like-minded individuals and establish authority in your niche. Engaging in relevant discussions and sharing valuable insights not only builds relationships and attracts new followers but also provides a platform for personal growth and learning, inspiring and motivating you to strive for excellence.
Social media groups, especially on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, are a great way to connect with like-minded individuals and potential customers. Actively participate in these groups to establish authority and build relationships.
Best Practices for Non-Promotional Engagement: when participating in groups, focus on adding value rather than promoting your products or services. Share helpful tips, answer questions, and engage in discussions. This approach positions you as a trusted resource, not just another brand trying to sell something, and helps to establish trust and credibility.
Learn how customized marketing can boost your business with practical tips and examples. Please read our blog Customized Marketing: Top Strategies and Examples.
Enhancing your organic growth on social media takes time, effort, and consistency. By following these six steps: creating outstanding content, leveraging employee advocacy, involving executives, collaborating with influencers, engaging with your audience, and participating in groups, you can build a loyal, engaged audience that grows naturally over time.
Remember, while paid strategies can give you a quick boost, the benefits of organic growth are long-lasting. So, start implementing these strategies today, and watch your social media presence thrive.
Blaze makes it easier to grow social media and connect with your audience. Book a free demo today to discover how we can help you.
