Drive Engagement: Encourage Social Media Shares Effectively
How to Encourage Social Media Shares and Expand Your Brand’s Reach
Social media is one of the most powerful tools for increasing brand visibility, building engagement, and driving conversions. However, getting followers to actively share your content requires strategy, creativity, and an understanding of how social platforms prioritize engagement.
With today’s ever-changing algorithms and trends, businesses must create content that is not only high-quality and engaging but also incentivizes followers to share. Here’s how to make your content more shareable across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, X (Twitter), and beyond.
1. Create Content That Is Designed for Sharing
Not all content is equally shareable. To get people to engage and share, focus on visually compelling, informative, and emotionally resonant content.
Short-Form Videos: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts prioritize viral, engaging videos. Use trends, challenges, and storytelling to encourage shares.
Infographics and Carousel Posts: On Instagram and LinkedIn, multi-image posts and infographics with step-by-step guides, checklists, or statistics tend to get saved and shared the most.
Memes and Relatable Content: Humor and authenticity win on X (Twitter), Threads, and Instagram Stories. Share memes, GIFs, and behind-the-scenes content that aligns with your brand’s voice.
Emotional and Inspirational Stories: People love to share content that moves them. Showcase customer testimonials, success stories, and personal experiences in a compelling format.
Always include share buttons and use trending hashtags to increase visibility on each platform.
2. Offer Incentives for Social Sharing
Encourage followers to share your content by offering them exclusive perks or rewards for engagement.
Discounts and Freebies – Offer a special discount or freebie for those who share your post and tag your brand.
Exclusive Content Access – Reward sharers with early access to sales, premium content, or a members-only community.
Referral Rewards – Use a referral program where users earn points or discounts for each person they bring in through social shares.
For example, a skincare brand can offer a percentage off for customers who share their latest Instagram post and tag three friends.
3. Use Clear Calls to Action (CTAs) for Sharing
Your audience needs a clear direction on what to do next. Include direct and actionable CTAs in your posts, such as:
"Tag a friend who needs to see this."
"Share this with someone who would love this."
"Save this for later and share it with your team."
“Click the share button and spread the word.”
On TikTok and Reels, adding on-screen text like “Share if this resonates with you” increases the likelihood of shares.
4. Engage with Followers to Boost Organic Shares
Building a genuine connection with your audience increases the likelihood that they will share your content organically.
Respond to Comments and Direct Messages: Actively engage with users who interact with your content to encourage ongoing conversations.
Feature User-Generated Content (UGC): Repost and highlight customers who share your brand—this motivates others to do the same.
Use Polls, Q&A, and Interactive Features: Instagram Stories, LinkedIn polls, and TikTok Q&A help boost engagement and create more shareable content.
For example, a fitness coach can repost followers’ workout videos using their program, inspiring others to share their progress as well.
5. Run Contests and Giveaways That Require Sharing
One of the fastest ways to increase reach is by hosting a contest that requires sharing.
How to Structure a Viral Giveaway
Ask participants to share your post on their Story and tag your account
Require them to tag three to five friends in the comments
Encourage video entries and user-generated content for extra engagement
Offer a high-value prize that aligns with your audience's interests
Best platforms for giveaways include Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
For example, a coffee brand can run a “Share and Win” giveaway, where participants must share their favorite coffee moment and tag the brand for a chance to win a month’s supply.
6. Collaborate with Influencers and Brand Ambassadors
Partnering with influencers and micro-influencers in your niche is a powerful way to amplify your brand’s reach.
TikTok and Instagram Collabs: Partner with content creators who align with your brand’s voice and encourage them to create shareable, authentic content.
YouTube Shorts and Reels Cross-Promotion: Get influencers to review your product or service and share it across multiple platforms.
LinkedIn Thought Leadership Partnerships: Co-create valuable industry insights that encourage resharing among professionals.
For example, a beauty brand collaborates with micro-influencers to create short-form tutorials on TikTok, increasing shareability and visibility.
7. Leverage Platform-Specific Strategies for Maximum Shares
Each platform has its unique algorithm and user behavior. Here’s how to maximize shares across the most relevant ones:
TikTok and Instagram Reels: Use trending audio, hashtags, and challenges to encourage organic resharing.
Facebook and LinkedIn: Post insightful articles, carousel posts, and industry trends to encourage professional engagement.
X (Twitter) and Threads: Create thought-provoking one-liners, polls, and Twitter threads that get reshared in professional circles.
Pinterest: Design highly shareable, SEO-optimized Pins that drive evergreen traffic.
Repurpose content strategically across platforms. A high-performing TikTok video can be reformatted for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Stories.
Final Thoughts: The Key to Getting More Shares on Social Media
Encouraging followers to share your content goes beyond just asking them to do it. The key is to create irresistible, valuable, and interactive content that feels natural to share.
Make it visually appealing
Use clear CTAs
Offer incentives or rewards
Engage with your audience
Leverage influencers and brand advocates
Run strategic contests and giveaways
By integrating these modern social strategies, you will increase engagement, amplify your brand, and expand your reach organically.
Need a custom social strategy for your business? Contact us today for expert insights.
