Social media isn’t just a place to post pretty pictures and call it a day—it’s a community, a conversation, and an incredible opportunity to connect with your audience in meaningful ways. If you’re serious about building a brand that resonates, you need to do more than just show up; you need to engage. That’s where having a social media engagement strategy comes in. It’s about being authentically social, listening to your audience, and showing up consistently in the places that matter most.
Why Engagement Matters
Think about the last time someone commented on one of your posts. How did it make you feel? Seen? Appreciated? Like you’re doing something right? That’s the power of engagement. Now, flip that around—how do you think your audience feels when you take the time to acknowledge them? That’s the heart of social media: it’s not just about broadcasting your message but about creating conversations that build trust and loyalty.
The $1.80 Strategy: What It Is and Why It Works
Enter Gary Vaynerchuk’s $1.80 strategy. The concept is simple: leave your “two cents” on 90 posts every day, giving you a $1.80 worth of interaction. This approach is all about diving deep into the community you want to be part of and contributing to the conversation in a meaningful way. Instead of just posting content and hoping for the best, you’re actively engaging with others, making your presence felt, and adding value wherever you can.
The $1.80 strategy isn’t just about quantity—it’s about quality. It’s about finding the right posts to comment on, the right people to engage with, and the right conversations to join. This means seeking out your target audience, understanding what they care about, and showing them that you care too.
How to Implement Your Own Engagement Strategy
1. Identify Your Target Audience: Know who you’re talking to and where they hang out online. Are they on Instagram? LinkedIn? Twitter? Find out where your people are, and make those platforms your priority. Think about where that person would like to shop, eat, travel etc. The better you understand your target audience the better you can tailor your marketing to their needs.
2. Join the Conversation: Search for relevant hashtags, follow industry leaders, and keep an eye on trending topics. If you’re a local business, look around to other local businesses that your audience may frequent. When you see a post that resonates with you—or could resonate with your audience—leave a thoughtful comment. Don’t just say, “Great post!” Take the time to add value. When you comment thoughtfully or even share another person’s content it creates an environment of mutual support, something they, and their followers, can feel.
3. Be Consistent: Like any good relationship, consistency is key. Set aside time every day to engage with your audience. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, make it a non-negotiable part of your social media strategy.
4. Provide Value: Remember, the goal is to contribute, not just to be seen. Offer insights, ask questions, or share a relevant experience. The more value you provide, the more your audience will appreciate and engage with you in return. When you add value it brings a uniquely human quality that shows not only your personality and knowledge base but also your genuine interest in others. This feeling of being understood is invaluable but one many neglect in their digital marketing.
5. Build Relationships: Engagement is about building relationships, not just racking up likes and comments. Follow up on conversations, continue the dialogue, and show genuine interest in what your audience has to say. This helps to convey that you’re not just on social media to blast out your own messaging, but are genuinely interested in contributing to the conversation and fostering a supportive environment.
6. Take Note of What You Learn: Seeing the same conversations or topics come up across your target audience? Maybe they’re all expressing a similar need, though sharing it in their own unique way. Make note of that! As you engage you’re going to get valuable feedback about what people appreciate and don’t appreciate, what they’re struggling with, and what they’re trying to have more of in their life. These are valuable insights, so engage with them and take note of these pain points for your own content. Remember, engagement is circular. What you put out there often comes back to you and you want to make sure when they reach your page that your content is speaking to them.
Why This Strategy Works
People do business with people they like and trust. When you take the time to engage with your audience, you’re building a relationship that goes beyond just the transactional. You’re showing that you’re not just here to sell; you’re here to connect, to listen, and to be part of the community.
By implementing a social media engagement strategy based on Gary Vaynerchuk’s $1.80 strategy, you’re not just increasing your visibility—you’re building a brand that people genuinely care about. So, get out there, start engaging, and watch your social media presence transform from “just another brand” to a valued member of your online community.
Remember, the key to social media success is simple: be social.
