How Do I Get Better Engagement On My Facebook Posts?

Despite the doom and gloom we sometimes see about the state of Facebook, Mark Zuckberberg’s empire still reigns over all other social media platforms.  With close to a billion active users on the site (compared to Twitter’s 200 million and Instagram’s 130 million), it’s a platform that we have to embrace and one where we need to continue to innovate.

Aside from the number of active users, I have other reasons to believe Facebook is still a huge asset to sport teams and leagues. Here is why:

  • Facebook has created a platform that plays to visuals; visuals allow us to portray the emotion in sports and high arousal compels people to share.
  • Facebook users share 2.5B pieces of content on the site each day according to Nielsen.
  • According to State of Search, 47% of Americans say that Facebook has a greater impact on their purchasing behavior than any other social network (hello ticket sales).

My point is this:  As we all get excited about new and emerging platforms, we can’t neglect Facebook . Additionally, we need to make sure what we are doing on the platform is meaningful.
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How Can I Create Compelling Content for Social Media With Limited Time, Resources, Etc.?

If you work in athletic communications, I understand time and resources can be half the battle when it comes to social media. Here’s the good news; you can create compelling content with a limited budget, time, resources, etc.

Yes, it’s true… you can create visuals like the one below with just your phone:

Screen Shot 2013-06-11 at 3.51.38 PM

During the 2013 CoSIDA Convention I shared the apps / platforms I use to create compelling content, like the graphic above. I’ve had several people ask me what they were, so I thought I would go ahead and compile a list for you all. So, without further ado, here they are…

Apps I use to create graphics with just my iPhone (please keep in mind it’s almost always a combination of apps):

  • PicFrame (.$.99)- This app lets you combine multiple photos into awesome collages.
  • SnapSeed ($4.99)- There are four great filters on this app- Grunge, Vintage, Drama & Tilt Shift. In addition, the app is great for basic editing (crop, rotate, etc.) and fine-tuning your image. You can really make colors pop with this app.
  • PhotoToaster ($1.99)-  This app is great for textures (canvas, old paper, antique, concrete, etc), vignettes and adjusting light.
  • Over ($1.99)– Add beautiful typography and artwork to your photos.
  • InstaFonts ($3.99)– Add text and filters.

Additional content generation resources / platforms:

  • Infographics– Check out Piktochart, Easel.ly, Info.gram if you’re looking to create infographics with little to no graphic design experience.
  • ThingLink– This app / platform offers an online tool to create interactive images. To create the image, you simply upload a picture, identify hot spots, and add text and links. The best part? The tool is integrated with Twitter.
  • StorifyStorify is a social network service that lets the user create stories or timelines using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

What’s the Worth?

Quality over Quality
I’ve seen it before, not just in sports, but with any brand: A large fan-base, little engagement.

It’s not a new approach, but I firmly believe engagement (clicks on links, shares, comments, etc.) is just as important– if not more important– than the number of fans or followers. If fans aren’t engaging, consuming, or seeing content, then what are they really worth? Think about it.

Long gone are the days of focusing on number of fans alone; here to stay are the days of creating killer content, telling a story, building a community and humanizing your brand.

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