Engagement 101: How to Build Real Connections (Not Just Likes)
If you have ever posted something on social media and watched it quietly disappear into the void, you are not alone. Many small business owners put time into posting, only to feel like nothing is happening. The truth is that social media is not just about the posts you publish. It is also about the relationships you build.
That is where engagement comes in.
Engagement is not just a metric. It is a strategy. When you understand how and why it works, your social media presence becomes more powerful and a lot more enjoyable.
Let’s break it down in a simple and useful way.
Why Engagement Matters
Every social platform is built around the same idea. People see more of the content they interact with. That means if your followers comment on your posts, save your content, or reply to your Stories, your future posts are more likely to appear in their feed.
This is good news for small businesses. You do not need a huge following to make an impact. You just need genuine interactions with the people who already support you.
Engagement helps you:
Stay visible to your audience
Build trust and familiarity
Turn casual viewers into loyal customers
Stand out from bigger brands that often feel impersonal
Good engagement shows the algorithm that your business is part of real conversations, not just pushing out content.
Start with Connection
People connect with people. When you respond to a comment, answer a question, or show up in Stories, you build trust the same way you do in real life.
Take a few minutes each day to:
Reply to comments on your posts
Check your DMs and respond quickly
React to Story mentions
Like and comment on posts from other local businesses
These small actions add up over time and help your business feel active and present.
Ask Questions
One of the easiest ways to improve engagement is to ask questions your audience can answer quickly. People love giving opinions and sharing their experiences, especially when the topic feels local or relatable.
Use Stories
Stories are one of the best places to build relationships. They feel casual, and people love watching behind-the-scenes moments from local businesses. You can use polls, sliders, and question boxes to start conversations without needing perfect photos or long captions.
Some easy Story ideas include:
A quick look at your workspace today
A customer favourite or staff pick
A poll asking your audience which product they prefer
A simple update on something new or seasonal
Stories help people feel closer to your business and give you opportunities to interact throughout the day.
Be Consistent
You do not need to be online every minute to have good engagement. A small, consistent routine works better than posting randomly and hoping for the best.
Aim for ten to fifteen minutes a day to engage with your audience. Comment, reply, check in with other local businesses, and interact with content that genuinely interests you. When you show up regularly, people notice.
Engagement is not about chasing likes or trying to go viral. It is about building real connections with the people who support your business and live in your community. When you put time into starting conversations and responding to your audience, your reach grows naturally and your social media starts to feel purposeful instead of overwhelming.
Take it one small action at a time. Consistency and genuine connection will always win.
If you are looking for more tools to support your business here in Chilliwack, check out the amazing range of promotional resources we offer, created with local businesses in mind. Everything there is designed to make your marketing feel a little easier and a little more doable as you grow in our community.