Nobody Engages With My Social Media Posts. What Am I Doing Wrong?
As someone who has always seen the importance of social media as a means of maintaining relationships and raising visibility I understand that in our attention driven world social media plays a huge role in how we see ourselves as individuals. By this I mean many of us have become tied to how the algorithm measures our value as opposed to viewing our impact as a sign of the value that we're making on social media.
Social media can change lives, it can make the difference between a thriving business and a stagnant one, it can turn someone from a bedroom content creator to a TV personality. There is no denying that it is powerful and it's not going anywhere (even if some of us want it to disappear). Of course it is not the only thing that matters but when used correctly it is meaningful - to be honest even when it is not used correctly we can see how meaningful and powerful it is; look at how it has influenced global elections for instance. From a PR perspective social media has been influencing public perception at unprecedented levels and without having to break it down even further I am sure we can all think of at least one PR crisis that has either been started via a social media platform or exacerbated by one. So it is no surprise that when we put ourselves out there some of us start to obsess about our social media outcomes; how many followers we have, how many people have shared our posts, how much engagement we've received on a post. It is easy to get caught up in the measurement trap or worse we use these measurements as a means of restricting ourselves, become resentful or lose hope in our journeys. It's so important however to stay focused and remember what your goals are when it comes to how you navigate digital spaces.
How can we reclaim digital spaces in a way that gives people the courage to not only keep pushing forward but also makes a positive difference in such a noisy world? How can you persevere on social media knowing that it is useful tool to achieve your goals whether that is personal branding, professional or business?
Social media isn’t as simple as “post and they will come” - it’s a dynamic, constantly shifting space where attention is the most valuable currency. If you’re struggling to get engagement, it’s not necessarily because your content is bad. It’s because people don’t feel the need to engage with it.
Think about the posts that stop you mid-scroll. What makes you tap the like button or leave a comment? It’s rarely just a well-written caption or a pretty picture it’s how that post made you feel. It’s emotion, curiosity, relatability, or value - if your posts aren’t sparking any of those, they’re blending into the background noise.
I say it often and perhaps people are bored of this but people connect with people, not just polished content. If your posts feel like they’re trying too hard or are overly promotional, they might be getting ignored because they lack a human touch. The more people see themselves in your content, the more likely they are to engage.
Consistency is key - showing up regularly, engaging with others, and being present in conversations is what builds relationships. Social media isn’t just about broadcasting; it’s about connecting. If you’re not engaging with other people’s content, why would they engage with yours? Also give them something to respond to; ask a question, invite opinions, or encourage a discussion. People love sharing their thoughts, but they need a reason to do so. Give them that reason.
Building engagement takes time, experimentation, and a willingness to adjust. Some posts will flop and some will unexpectedly take off. The key is to keep showing up, refining your approach, and staying true to your voice. Shift your focus from just getting engagement to actually creating connection. That’s where the magic happens.
