How to Use Social Media Apps to Connect with Your Audience on a Personal Level
(Presented by Goteso, Mobile App Development Company)
In a world where social media can feel more like a crowded marketplace than a community, it’s essential for brands, businesses, and creators to find ways to connect with their audience on a personal level. Authenticity and engagement are at the core of building meaningful relationships with your followers. But how exactly do you foster this deeper connection when there’s so much noise online?
In this guide, we’ll share actionable tips and strategies on how to use social media apps to build genuine, personal relationships with your audience. Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or a small business, the following techniques will help you make your social media presence feel more human and accessible.
1. Show the Human Side of Your Brand
The biggest mistake many businesses and creators make is relying too much on polished, corporate-like content. While professionalism is important, people crave authenticity. Social media users are more likely to engage with brands and creators who show they are human, not just a faceless entity.
How to Show the Human Side:
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share the day-to-day workings of your brand. Whether it’s a peek into the office, how products are made, or the creative process, behind-the-scenes content creates a sense of transparency and intimacy.
- User-Generated Content: Show your audience you value them by sharing their posts (with permission). If they’re tagging your brand or using your product, repost it to show appreciation and connect with them personally.
- Personal Stories: Share your personal journey—whether it’s about the challenges of building a business, how you overcame obstacles, or a fun experience related to your industry. It helps your audience relate to you on a deeper level.
Pro Tip: Use Instagram Stories or TikTok to give followers an unfiltered, day-in-the-life view. These platforms are perfect for sharing raw, candid content.
2. Engage in Real Conversations
Social media shouldn’t be a one-way broadcast—it’s a conversation. Take the time to engage directly with your followers, respond to their comments, and participate in discussions.
How to Engage Meaningfully:
- Reply to Comments and DMs: Always respond to comments and direct messages, even if it’s just a simple “thank you” or a “great point!” Acknowledging people’s input makes them feel seen and valued.
- Ask Questions: Use posts to ask questions and get your audience talking. Whether it’s through polls, quizzes, or open-ended questions, asking for their opinions fosters engagement and connection.
- Run Q&A Sessions: Live Q&As or “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) sessions on Instagram or Facebook are great ways to let your followers get to know you. Answering questions in real time helps to humanize your brand.
Pro Tip: Use Instagram Stories’ Question Sticker or Twitter Polls to create interactive conversations that allow your followers to contribute easily.
3. Use Personalized Content
Personalization can take your social media game to the next level. Social media platforms, especially Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, allow you to segment your audience and deliver content tailored to their interests and needs.
How to Personalize Content:
- Targeted Ads: Use custom audiences to serve personalized ads to different groups of followers based on their behavior and interests.
- Content Based on Demographics: Post content that speaks directly to different audience segments. For example, if your audience consists of parents, share content that speaks to their specific lifestyle needs.
- Name Recognition: If your platform allows it (like with Instagram stories or live videos), call out your audience by name in your posts. You can respond directly to followers by referencing their handle or tagging them in posts, making them feel special.
Pro Tip: Use Instagram Close Friends or Facebook Groups to create exclusive content for specific followers or loyal customers.
4. Humanize Your Interactions with Emojis and Casual Tone
One of the easiest ways to appear more personal and approachable on social media is by using a casual tone. Emojis, casual language, and humor can all help break down barriers and make interactions feel less formal and more authentic.
How to Humanize Your Interactions:
- Use Emojis: Emojis can help convey emotion and tone in a way that words alone might not. Use them to add personality to your posts, comments, and responses.
- Adopt a Friendly Tone: Avoid overly formal language. Instead, use a conversational style that matches how you’d speak to someone in real life. This makes you sound approachable and relatable.
- Incorporate Humor: Humor can go a long way in humanizing your brand. It shows that you’re not just another corporate entity and can engage with your audience in a fun way.
Pro Tip: If your brand’s voice allows it, use memes and trending jokes. Just make sure they align with your audience’s sense of humor and don’t come off as tone-deaf.
5. Leverage Interactive Features for Real-Time Engagement
Social media apps offer tons of interactive features that allow you to engage with your audience in real time. These features help you connect with your followers instantly, making them feel more involved in your brand’s journey.
Interactive Features to Use:
- Live Streaming: Whether it’s Instagram Live, Facebook Live, or TikTok, live streaming is one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience in a genuine, real-time manner. Use it for Q&A sessions, product launches, or behind-the-scenes glimpses.
- Polls and Quizzes: Use polls (Instagram, Twitter) or quizzes (Facebook, Instagram Stories) to ask your followers for their opinions, preferences, or trivia knowledge. This helps build a relationship based on mutual interaction.
- Interactive Stories: Use Instagram Stories or Facebook Stories to create content that invites people to engage—whether it’s through swipe-ups, polls, or multiple-choice questions.
Pro Tip: Host live chats or events to have direct conversations with your audience, making them feel like they’re part of an exclusive community.
6. Be Transparent and Authentic
Honesty goes a long way in establishing trust with your audience. Being transparent about your brand’s values, challenges, and decision-making processes shows you’re committed to fostering a genuine connection.
How to Be Transparent:
- Share Your Struggles: Whether it’s a product delay, a setback in your business, or any other challenge, sharing those real moments with your audience can help humanize your brand and strengthen your relationship.
- Be Open About Your Values: Share your mission, the causes you support, and the values your brand stands for. People are more likely to connect with brands they feel aligned with.
- Admit Mistakes: If something goes wrong (an order mistake, miscommunication, etc.), own up to it and show your audience how you’re fixing it. Transparency shows you’re a brand that cares.
Pro Tip: On platforms like Instagram Stories or Facebook, use the “Swipe Up” feature to link to your blog posts or videos that delve deeper into your story or provide valuable insights.
7. Create Exclusive Content for Loyal Followers
Give your loyal followers a sense of exclusivity by creating content that’s reserved for them. This could include early access to product launches, special promotions, or exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
How to Create Exclusive Content:
- Offer Special Discounts: Give your social media followers special access to discounts or offers they wouldn’t get anywhere else.
- Create VIP Groups: Platforms like Facebook Groups or Instagram Close Friends allow you to create small, exclusive communities. This is a great way to connect on a deeper level with your most engaged followers.
- Reward Engagement: Highlight your most loyal followers by featuring them in your posts or offering rewards for consistently engaging with your content.
Pro Tip: Exclusive giveaways for your social media followers can also create a personal connection and motivate more people to engage.
8. Stay Consistent with Your Voice and Message
Lastly, consistency in your tone, message, and content helps build trust. When your audience knows what to expect from your social media presence, it’s easier for them to form a bond with you.
How to Stay Consistent:
- Create a Social Media Voice Guide: Define the tone, language, and personality of your brand and stick with it across all platforms. Whether you’re aiming for friendly, professional, humorous, or inspirational, consistency builds credibility.
- Post Regularly: Regular posting keeps you in the minds of your followers and allows for consistent interaction. Whether it’s daily or weekly, aim to stay visible in a way that feels natural to your audience.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Canva or Loomly to create a content style guide that keeps your posts on-brand and consistent.
Conclusion: Build Meaningful, Lasting Connections
Social media is all about connection. The more personal, authentic, and human you can be with your followers, the more likely they are to engage with and trust your brand. Whether you’re a small business, a content creator, or a large corporation, using social media apps to foster real relationships will not only improve your engagement but help you build a loyal community that supports you.
At Goteso, we know how powerful social media apps can be for connecting with an audience on a deeper level. If you’re looking to create an app or platform that enhances user engagement and builds personal connections, we’re here to
help. Contact us today, and let’s build something amazing together!