Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned social media pro, it’s important to stay connected to your audience. It’s easy to forget the purpose of being social if you’re too consumed with promoting yourself. Every now and then, we all need a reminder about how important it is to provide value and to be genuine in our attempts at audience engagement. Don’t forget that social media is here to stay!

Studies on Social Media Usage

A recent study shows that Generation Y, or Millennials, will continue to use social networking as they age. Contrary to what few believe, social media and sharing is not just a fad – it’s here to stay. 67% of technology experts questioned in the study agree that Millennials will not grow out of sharing information about themselves on social networks. This should come as no surprise as social media is increasingly become an important part of our lives. Many people are already willing to admit the check Twitter or Facebook before their email and there are studies to show that. If you’re an internet marketer, there is no way to success if you ignore these social media channels.

Storytelling and Engagement

In order to engage your customers, sharing on social media sites should consist of more than just linking to pieces of information about yourself. Nowadays, it’s even easier for people to ignore a sales pitch. They want to see your real personality and understand how you can help them. Storytelling as it relates to social media means relating a topic, story, or opinion to your customers. If you’re blogging about a topic, relate it to yourself or the average person. This makes it more personable and easier to relate to. You want to give them a reason to care or form an opinion. Telling an interesting story will encourage your audience to post question, comments and even look to you as a resource.

Share Your Voice

Establishing an online presence for your business means more than just setting up the accounts. Consistency counts! This can be the hardest aspects for most businesses and individuals. Being online means that you are connected 24/7 and you may feel that you’re running out of things to say. The worst thing you could do is broadcast yourself continuously. Instead, opt for variety of topics to share. Look for what your customers are interested in and if you’re not sure, research or ask. Social networks are a place where you can make a difference by providing value. Offering free resources and expert advice is always useful. As you’re active, remember to also be genuine. Show your personality and put effort into your audience outreach. They’ll appreciate a genuine source of information.

Is there anything you would like to share about your own personal experiences with audience engagement through social media?

Guest Author: Lynna Pham is project coordinator at Emarketed, a Los Angeles web design and web copywriting firm.