How can I get more shares on Facebook?

The Importance of Shares

Why are shares important? Look at current user statistics:

• There are 1.62 billion users on Facebook every day.
• In 2021, 84% of American Millennials were active users.
• 93% of social media marketers use Facebook for advertising.
• Wednesday and Thursday, from 11 am to 2 pm, are the most popular times for users.
• 94% of ad revenue comes from mobile users.

With the massive number of individuals using Facebook every day, getting shares on your posts has never been more important, especially on mobile. Broadcasting your content to 1.62 billion users and actively creating mobile-friendly content will increase traffic to your page, thereby providing more approvals or sales.

How to Get More Shares on Facebook?

The old adage of quality over quantity rings true when we think about increasing our shares on Facebook. Essentially, you need to put yourself in the user's shoes - why should they share a post on their timeline? With that in mind, let's review the strategies you can use to get more shares on Facebook and create more insightful and converting content.

1. Choose the Right Type of Post

Some types of Facebook posts naturally perform much better than others. Perfect examples include images, video clips, memes, and other visual media. With more impactful and engaging posts, your Facebook content will be shared among other pages and groups. Focus on the type of post that offers instant gratification - those that provide value immediately.

Other popular types of posts on FB include:

• Question Posts - encourages users to answer the question in the comments
• Images - easy to digest for mobile devices
• Videos - keep users' attention
• Link Posts - develop an interesting story
• Giveaway Offers - people love free stuff. This will entice them to come back for more giveaways
• Discount Offers - encourage users to come back and find ways to save money

In essence, you need to give your audience something to do. Whether it's watching something, answering a question, clicking a link, or giving them things for free - you always need to give your viewers something to do as a result of your post.

2. Focus on Trending Topics

The best way to increase traffic to your page is to post about relevant topics. Whether it's political, movement-related, a sports event, or a controversial opinion, behind a keyboard and screen, people love to say what they really think.

Boosting your comments and shares triggers the algorithm to look at the growth of your engagement on Facebook - it knows you're posting content that's worth discussing. If people are searching for trending topics, and you're producing content about that topic - your profile will be seen by a lot more users.

In return, these users will share your content with their friends and other business pages because they know it's relevant to what everyone is looking for. A "trending topic" means a lot of people are searching for it.

If people know that others want to know more about the topic, it's because something dramatic has happened that the whole world, or at least a large part, will find entertaining. By tailoring your content to this, you likely increase the number of shares, likes, and comments you receive.

3. Post Shareable Content

In terms of what makes content shareable, it entirely depends on the audience you're targeting. However, shareable content must always be relevant, unique, and valuable. It must also have a feature or characteristic that makes people want to share it.

It could be shocking, funny, controversial, or something thought-provoking. Give your content a "wow factor" that other businesses or personal pages don't have. But how do you create a "Wow Factor"?

• Teaching Content - make your users learn something they didn't know before
• Be Entertaining - have fun by posting memes, gifs, and opinions. Remember, your audience wants to know you're also a human being. Connect with them so you can build brand affinity and loyalty.
• Adapt your content to seasons - creating content related to holiday seasons increases users' ability to have an emotional reaction to your content.

No matter the method you choose, think about what you would be if you were someone stumbling upon the post. Would you learn something, find it funny, or relate it to a recent party? By doing this, you can make it feel like there's another person at the end of the page rather than mass-produced content by a robot.

4. Share More Videos

Currently, no content is more impactful or engaging than video. Similarly, video content is shared more easily than any other type of content.

If you can create relevant and engaging videos that provide value to your audience, you're on top. BuzzSumo studied video content on Facebook, focusing on its impact on FB likes, comments, or shares.

While images were best for likes or comments; it was videos that performed better if you want users to share the content. It was found that with 951.48 interactions, there were about 200 shares. But you have to share the video directly on Facebook to help your video go viral.

5. Use Eye-Catching Images

Accompanying text posts with eye-catching images is an excellent way to make them stand out. It's guaranteed to increase engagement and shares. How do you do this?

• Infographics:

If you have an article you've written, create an infographic to accompany it that only shows the main points. This provides enough information to intrigue the reader and help them learn something new.

• Custom Images:

Don't post non-original content. Be relevant, post original funny memes, and get to work creating your own images to share on the platform - be sure to include your brand colors, logo, and name.

6. Include a Call to Action

Time and time again, research has demonstrated the immense power and value of CTAs. If you want people to share your posts, you literally have to tell them to do so. It's the same for Likes, Follows, and so on - if you want to get shares on Facebook, ask for them! Strategically placed CTAs can make a huge difference in the shareability of most types of content.

7. Post At The Right Time

Again, sharing your content at the right time means establishing when your audience is most active on the platform. Most of Facebook's audience activity peaks before and after office hours, as well as weekend mornings, bank holidays, etc.

In 2022, the best times to share your Facebook post are:

• Tuesday from 9 am to 1 pm
• Wednesday from 9 am to 1 pm
• Friday from 9 am to 1 pm
• DO NOT POST ON SATURDAY

The more active your audience is, the more likely your content will be shared. But there are exceptions to the rule, so it's up to you to do the necessary research.

8. Optimize Your Content for the Mobile App

We've shared statistics related to Facebook and mobile users. But just in case you missed it, 94% of ad revenue comes from mobile devices - you'd be crazy not to tailor your posts to the mobile audience. Here are some ways to do that:

• Make your content easy to read - short sentences and bulleted lists work well.
• Adjust your image size to 560 x 292 px - you can do this on Canva.com
• Short headlines
• The first paragraphs should prompt the user to learn more

Your users will share a post more frequently when they can see the entire image rather than having chunks cut out because it wasn't the right dimensions. This shouldn't be limited specifically to Facebook but to all social media platforms.

When users have all the information available without having to scroll down or click on another link - they're more inclined to continue reading. The more they read, the more likely they are to relate to the content. If they find the content entertaining or relevant, then they'll want to share it with their friends to discuss.

It's a simple matter of mathematics to understand that with each additional share you get, new visitors are attracted to your page. This will significantly increase the chance that you can sell your product or improve your brand image.

9. Keep It Short and Simple

Once again, it's worth emphasizing the importance of keeping things as short and simple as possible. Most people quickly browse Facebook with instant gratification in mind. They want immediate entertainment to kill time - nothing too complex or in-depth. They also know that it's the content their friends and contacts enjoy, and they share it with them.

10. Evoke Strong Emotional Reactions

Humans are inherently emotional creatures. Boost your FB account by designing content that elicits strong emotional reactions. There are many techniques you can use to tailor to your demographic. But for that, you need to know your audience.

With different ages, cultures, and interests - as a business, you need to know what your audience will find irritating, pleasing, and utterly abhorrent. By pairing posts that elicit strong reactions with trending topics, the number of shares will skyrocket.

11. Create Long-Form Content via Blog Post

Writing long-form blog posts on your website and sharing them on your Facebook page helps grow your audience. In a study conducted by Buzzsumo, a content marketing brand, blog posts that were longer were shared more.

• 0-1000 words = about 5k shares
• 1000-2000 words = about 6k shares
• 2000-3000 words = over 7.5k shares
• 3000+ words = 8-9k shares

Though they're more browsed on mobile devices, content over 1000 words performs extremely well on social media. Our best advice is to ensure that any blog post you upload to your Facebook page exceeds 1000 words. That way, Facebook knows it's not a spam post or a link to an unreliable or unverified source.

12. Interact and Engage

Facebook users are inherently more likely to share and recommend content posted by those they can relate to. Building trust and getting your audience on board means seizing every opportunity to interact and engage.

Respond to comments, engage in conversation elsewhere, and become a part of the community you want to appeal to. By doing so, you're much more likely to generate organic shares and recommendations for your posts.

13. Share Your Own Fan Page Posts

Fan pages have thousands of users who actively comment, post, and engage around a hobby, interest, or common cause. It's a way for people with similar interests to share and be part of a community. These pages are great no matter what social media platforms they live on - they have huge traction and even larger communities.

Chances are, if you create your own fan page, you're going to get more shares. Why? Because all posts are intended for those who joined that page in the first place. What's more? If your post is of quality, it will be shared on additional pages - increasing traffic to your professional or personal Facebook page.

People from the fan page will click on your post and realize that many of your posts are related. Or they might see that many of your posts are shared on this page and realize you deserve to be followed.

14. Ask People to Share Your Content

You must have heard the saying "who asks nothing gets nothing." Well, getting shares on Facebook follows that same rule. Sharing a Facebook post might seem like a significant commitment to others. They may wonder if all my friends will see this post; and if they don't like it? Or what's the point of sharing this?

It's a little-known secret that many of these users just need a little nudge to encourage them to share your posts. But you can't just ask them - what's in it for them? Here are some easy ways to encourage fans to share your posts:

• Give away free content in exchange for a share
• Offer bonus content available on a separate page

People love FREE stuff. In "thanks" for sharing your posts - offer them complementary content that no one else has access to. This will encourage them to encourage others to share your posts to get new content as well.

15. Encourage Shares via Contests and Offers

One of the best ways to encourage people to share your posts is to run contests and giveaways. People, in general, are helpless in the face of a free offer, even if what's offered isn't particularly exciting. Don't be afraid to "grease the wheels" with a little incentive here and there. It's a small price to pay to have people sharing and promoting your posts for you.