Showing up consistently on social media can feel overwhelming. Between trends that change overnight, algorithms that never seem to cooperate, and the pressure to post every day, it’s no wonder so many entrepreneurs feel stuck trying to grow their online presence.

But posting more isn’t the same as posting strategically. Many business owners spend hours creating content without a clear plan and as a result, they miss out on the engagement, visibility, and growth that comes from having a purposeful social media presence.

In the next few minutes, you’ll learn three powerful, actionable tips to boost your social media presence, increase engagement, and start seeing real results without needing to spend all day online.

If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.

Ready to learn how to improve your social media presence and create a strategy that works for you? Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

• What is a social media presence (and why it matters)

• Tip #1: Demystifying your engagement rate

• Tip #2: What your content types says about you

• Tip #3: How to create community and drive sales

• Bonus: Leverage user-generated content

• Case Study: Brands doing it right

• Common mistakes that hurt your social media presence

• Final Thoughts

What Is a Social Media Presence (and Why It Matters)

Your social media presence isn’t just about how many followers you have, it’s about how you show up online.It’s the mix of consistency, authenticity, and strategy that makes people stop scrolling and say, “I love what this brand stands for.”

A strong social media presence means your audience recognizes your voice, trusts your message, and feels connected to your brand even before they buy from you.

Why It Matters

In today’s digital world, your online presence is often the first impression someone has of your business. A clear, consistent presence:

• Builds trust and credibility.

• Expands your reach to new audiences.

• Increases visibility and engagement which ultimately leads to sales and brand loyalty.

So, if you’ve been wondering why social media presence matters, it’s simple: the stronger your connection online, the easier it is to build real relationships and lasting brand growth.

Tip #1: Demystifying Your Engagement Rate

Ever wonder why some posts take off while others barely get noticed? It all comes down to your engagement rate, one of the most important (and misunderstood) social media metrics.

Your engagement rate measures how actively your audience interacts with your content through likes, comments, saves, and shares. A higher engagement rate means people aren’t just seeing your posts, they’re connecting with them and this signals to the algorithm that you have a post worth sharing with more people.

How to Calculate Your Engagement Rate

Unfortunately, this is one metric that isn't tracked in Instagram's professional dashboard but you can calculate it yourself or use online tools.

Here’s a simple formula to find yours:

(Total Likes + Comments + Saves + Shares) ÷ Total Followers × 100

Or make it even easier with this free online tool: Phlanx Instagram Engagement Calculator/. Check out this blog to learn more about using this tool to calcuate your engagement rate.

What’s a “Good” Engagement Rate?

Engagement averages vary depending on audience size and how long a post has been up. But you can use these are average to work towards:

• 1K or fewer followers: 15–20% is very strong

• 1K–5K followers: 10–15% is great

• 5K–10K followers: 5–10% is healthy. Smaller audiences often see higher engagement because they’re more personal and connected.

Don't be discouraged if your engagement rate is lower than these recommendations. You can work to increase your engagement rate using the activities in this blog when you keep reading.

How to Increase Your Engagement Rate

Boosting your engagement isn’t about posting more, it’s about posting smarter. Try these strategies:

• Stay consistent: Keep your content relevant and true to your brand voice.

• Use hashtags and stories wisely: Help your content reach more of the right people.

• Ask for engagement: Use polls, questions, and giveaways to spark real conversations.

Pro Tip: Engagement goes both ways, respond to comments, reply to DMs, and celebrate your audience’s wins. The more you engage, the more your audience will too. If you're looking for additional ways to increase your engagement rate organically check out my Organic Engagement Playbook.

Tip #2: What Your Content Type Says About You

Every post you share tells your audience something about your brand and not just what you sell, but who you are. The key is creating content with purpose. Every piece should either educate, entertain, or inform.

Educational Content

This is all about teach your audience something new! Share tutorials, how-to guides, or quick industry tips that make your followers feel smarter after engaging with your post. Think of it as empowering them to take action — whether that’s trying a new tool, improving a skill, or using your product more effectively.

Examples: Recipes, DIY tutorials, “how to” Reels, or educational carousels.

Entertaining Content

This is where your personality shines. Reels, memes, and relatable stories help your audience connect with the human side of your brand. Whether it’s a funny behind-the-scenes moment or a “you won’t believe this happened” story, entertaining content makes you memorable and approachable.

Examples: Trending Reels, relatable memes, or storytelling videos that show the real you.

Informational Content

Keep your audience in the loop. Share business updates, launches, event announcements, or sneak peeks into your process. Informational posts help your followers feel part of your journey and create trust through transparency.

Examples: Behind-the-scenes photos, new offer announcements, or milestone celebrations.

Build Your Content Pillars

Once you choose one of these content types to be your primary focus you'll need to choose 3–5 core content pillars that relate to the topics you'll cover on your accounts. This helps keep your strategy organized and consistent. These pillars represent the main themes you’ll rotate through each week making content creation simpler and more intentional.

Example: I have an educational content type with social media tips, ChatGPT prompts and business growth strategy as content pillars.

When your content reflects both your expertise and your personality, your audience can’t help but connect.

Tip #3: How to Create Community & Drive Sales

If you’ve ever wondered why some posts spark conversations while others fall flat, the answer often comes down to one thing, your call to action (CTA).

A CTA is simply a clear instruction that guides your audience on what to do next. It turns passive scrollers into active participants and over time, into loyal customers.

Why CTAs Matter

When you tell your audience exactly how to engage, you remove the guesswork. A post that says “Drop an emoji if you agree 👇” feels fun and easy to respond to. More engagement tells the algorithm your content is valuable which means more reach, more visibility, and more potential customers.

Simple CTA Ideas to Try

Here are a few engagement-boosting CTAs you can start using right away:

• 💬 Drop an emoji if this resonates!

• 🔖 Save this post for later.

• 🤝 Share this with a friend who needs to hear it.

• ❤️ Double tap if you agree.

• ✨ Check out our [product/service link] to learn more.

Cheeky CTAs to Stop Saying "Like This Post"

• Double tapping if they agree,

• Hit that like button to show your support!

• Tap that heart button if you can relate

• Show this post some love

• If you enjoyed this content, give it a like!

• I heart you, do you heart me too?

More Ways to Say "Leave A Comment"

• Drop an emoji below

• Have something to say? Leave us a comment!

• Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

• Your opinion matters

• Do you agree or disagree?

• Vote on your favourites in the comments

Synonyms for "Save This Post"

• Don't let this valuable content slip away - save it!

• Save this post to revisit whenever you need it

• Click the bookmark icon and save this post for future reference

• Keep this post handy by saving it for later

Sharing is Caring CTAs

• Share if you think others would benefit

• from this

• Don't keep this post to yourself

• If you find this post valuable, share it with

• a friend in need

• Be a source of inspiration by sharing this

• to your stories

• Let's make a difference together

When You Want to Say "Buy My Product" or "Work With Me"

• Experience the quality firsthand

• Achieve your goals faster with our proven ____

• Get ahead of the competition

• Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity

• Get the ultimate solution for ____

• Invest in your success

• Simplify your life with ____

• Upgrade your ____ with our top-notch ____

These small prompts keep your audience interacting and that interaction builds trust and community over time.

How CTAs Lead to Sales

More engagement = more visibility = more conversions.

When your posts consistently spark conversation, your brand stays top of mind. People who interact with your content regularly are far more likely to click your links, join your email list, or make a purchase down the road.

I once shared a post that barely got any likes or comments, but a few weeks later, I started getting DMs and client referrals from people who had shared it privately. It reminded me that impact isn’t always public; the right message always reaches the right people.

Your job isn’t just to get likes but spark connections and  CTAs help you do exactly that.

Bonus: Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)

If you want to boost your visibility and build instant trust with your audience, user-generated content (UGC) is one of the easiest ways to do it.

What Is UGC?

User-generated content (UGC) is any content your customers or followers create that features your brand, photos, videos, reviews, or even shoutouts in their stories.

Why It Matters

UGC acts as social proof that real people love what you offer. It also saves you time because your community is helping you create authentic content that markets your business for you.

Examples of User Generated Content

• 📸 A customer photo featuring your product or service

• 💬 A testimonial or review shared on their story

• 🏷️ A post where they’ve tagged your business or used your hashtag

Action Step

Create a branded hashtag for your business and encourage your followers to use it when they share about your products or experiences. Then, reshare their content (with permission!) to your feed or stories and t’s a great way to celebrate your community and build deeper trust.

UGC turns your happy customers into your biggest brand ambassadors with no extra effort required.

Case Study: Brands Doing It Right

Want to see what a strong social media presence looks like in action? Let’s look at three brands that truly get it.

Sephora

Sephora keeps their audience hooked with consistent tutorials and educational content. From makeup how-tos to product demos, their posts build trust while empowering their followers to recreate the looks themselves.

Little Moons

This mochi brand went viral by leaning into trend-driven Reels and playful visuals. Their videos pair bold colours, fun transitions, and popular sounds making their brand instantly recognizable and shareable.

Spotify

Spotify shines on LinkedIn by sharing values-based storytelling. They spotlight employees, creators, and community initiatives that align with their mission, showing followers there’s a real purpose behind the platform.

Each of these brands balances the “3 Es” of social media success — Entertainment, Education, and Emotion. When your content strategy includes all three, you attract attention, build loyalty, and keep your audience coming back for more.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Social Media Presence

Even the best intentions can fall flat if your strategy misses the mark. Here are a few common mistakes that can quietly hold your account back and how to fix them.

1. Posting Inconsistently

If you disappear for weeks at a time, your audience (and the algorithm) will too. Consistency doesn’t mean daily posting, it means showing up regularly and reliably.

2. Ignoring Insights and Analytics

Your numbers tell a story. Watch what’s performing well, when your audience is most active, and what content drives engagement. Let data guide your next move.

3. Skipping Engagement

Social media is a two-way conversation. Reply to comments, engage with your followers’ posts, and start genuine conversations, it’s the simplest way to build community.

4. Being Afraid to Experiment or Show Personality

Your audience follows you for a reason. Don’t be afraid to try new formats, share behind-the-scenes moments, or inject humour and personality into your posts.

Final Thoughts on How To Boost Your Social Media Presence

Building an engaged social media presence takes time, consistency, and heart. It’s not about doing everything — it’s about doing the right things with intention.

Start small. Test what works. Track your results and keep showing up for your community. You don’t need to chase perfection, focus on creating real connections instead.

Feeling inspired to take your social media presence to the next level? You don’t have to do it alone.

Download the Social Success Planner, your step-by-step DIY social media planner designed to help you plan content strategically, stay consistent, and grow your business with confidence.

Want personalized support instead? Book a 1:1 coaching session and let’s create your custom social media calendar for business, built around your goals, strengths, and audience. Together, we’ll turn your ideas into a plan that actually converts.