5 Tips for Making Your Facebook Posts More Shareable
As a business or individual using Facebook to reach a broader audience, getting more shares on your posts is a sure way to increase engagement, boost your online presence, and promote your brand. However, creating shareable content is not as easy as it may seem. Many users struggle with crafting posts that people will want to share with their friends and followers. But don’t fret! In this article, we will share five tips that will help you create posts that are more likely to be shared on Facebook.
1. Take Advantage of Visual Content
Visual content is king when it comes to social media. Research shows that posts with images or videos are more likely to grab people’s attention and generate engagement than text-only posts. According to a study by Buzzsumo, Facebook posts with images had a 2.3 times higher engagement rate than those without images. Therefore, when crafting your Facebook posts, consider incorporating visual elements such as images, videos, infographics, and memes.
But how do you choose the right visual content for your post? Start by identifying the message or story you want to convey and select a visual element that enhances that message. For instance, if you want to showcase your new product, use images or videos that feature the product from different angles or in different settings. If you want to share a statistic or data, use infographics. If you want to add a fun element to your post, use memes that your audience can relate to.
There are also several types of visual content that work well on Facebook, including behind-the-scenes content, user-generated content, and inspirational or motivational quotes. Take inspiration from the examples below:
- A behind-the-scenes video of your product development process
- User-generated images featuring happy customers using your product
- An inspirational quote overlaid on a beautiful nature image.
2. Use Listicles or How-To Posts
Listicles and how-to posts are excellent formats for increasing engagement and shares on Facebook. Listicles are articles that present information in a numbered list format, while how-to posts provide step-by-step guidance on how to achieve a particular task. These types of posts work well on Facebook because they deliver value in a digestible, easy-to-consume format.
When creating your listicles or how-to posts, ensure that you have a clear purpose and identify your target audience. For example, if your business sells sports gear, you can create a listicle that highlights the top 10 must-have items for runners or a how-to post on maintaining your running shoes. Make sure to also add context and personality to your content to make it more engaging.
Here are some examples of successful listicles and how-to posts on Facebook:
- “10 Healthy Foods You Should Eat Every Day” by Healthline
- “How to Create the Perfect Smokey Eye” by Cosmopolitan
3. Drive Engagement through Questions
Including questions in your Facebook posts is a great way to encourage engagement and generate shares. Questions prompt people to pause and reflect, thereby increasing the likelihood of a response. According to a Hubspot survey, posts that pose a question generate 23% more engagement than those that don’t.
To craft an effective question, ensure that you have a clear call-to-action and motivate people to respond. For instance, if you run a fitness business and want to encourage people to share their healthy meal ideas, you can pose a question such as “What’s your favorite healthy meal idea? Share with us in the comments below.” This not only encourages engagement but also adds value to your audience.
Here are some examples of successful posts that include questions on Facebook:
- “What’s your favorite travel destination and why?” by National Geographic
- “How do you get your kids interested in reading?” by Scholastic
4. Optimize Timing
Posting at the right time is critical for maximizing engagement and shares on Facebook. Posting when your audience is most active ensures that your post is seen, shared, and engaged with. The best time to post varies depending on your industry, target audience, and location. However, you can identify the best times to post using Facebook Insights or external tools such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social.
When testing the best times to post, remember to track and analyze your results to determine which posts are generating the most engagement. You can use this information to optimize your posting time to reach your audience when they are most active and engaged.
Here are some examples of businesses that have successfully optimized their posting times on Facebook:
- Shopify – posts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 pm
- Airbnb – posts on Wednesdays at 3 pm and Thursdays at 5 pm
5. Leverage Trends and Popular Topics
Lastly, tapping into popular trends or topics can also make your posts more shareable. However, it’s essential to choose trends or topics that align with your branding and industry. This ensures that your post remains relevant and adds value to your audience.
To leverage trends or popular topics, start by staying up-to-date with what’s happening in your industry and the wider world. Use social media monitoring tools such as Google alerts or mention.com to track emerging issues and conversations related to your industry. Once you’ve identified a relevant trend or topic, find a way to incorporate it into your post in a way that is relatable and adds value.
Here are some examples of businesses that have effectively leveraged trends or topics on Facebook:
- Oreo – posted a graphic image of the solar eclipse with the caption “Once in a Blue Moon” in reference to the limited edition blueberry pie flavor
- Denny’s – tweeted about the popular Netflix show “Stranger Things” by creating a breakfast order inspired by the character Eleven
Conclusion
Creating shareable content on Facebook is a vital aspect of building a strong online presence. By using visual content, leveraging listicles or how-to posts, asking questions, optimizing timing, and tapping into trends, you can increase engagement and shares on your Facebook page.
