13 Unique Ways to Engage With Your Followers on Social Media

At BIG DEAL Company, we know social media isn’t just a platform – it’s a stage. For nonprofits and businesses alike, every post, story, and comment is an opportunity to connect, inspire, and build lasting relationships with your audience. Truly standing out calls for creativity, authenticity, and strategies that turn followers into active participants in your mission or brand story.
 
In this post, we’re sharing a collection of unique, actionable ways you can engage with your social media audience – ideas that go beyond likes and shares to spark conversations, build community, and create memorable experiences (read more about experiential marketing). Whether you’re a nonprofit looking to rally support or a small business aiming to deepen customer loyalty, these tactics will help your social presence feel less like a broadcast and more like a conversation.

Social media offers a number of creative options for meaningfully engaging with your followers

​1. Polls & Quizzes
 Interactive polls and quizzes are a fun way to engage followers while learning more about them. From quick yes/no polls to personality quizzes or content quizzes related to your brand or cause, these tools encourage participation and can provide valuable insights to direct your marketing strategy.
 
Example: A local nonprofit asked followers, “Which sustainability tip will you try this week?” Poll results drove engagement and informed their next campaign.
 
Visual Suggestion: Colorful poll graphics with “Swipe to Vote” or interactive Instagram story templates.
 
2. Mini Challenges
 Encourage followers to participate in small, shareable actions, like posting a photo using your product, trying a DIY tip, or completing a charitable task. Mini challenges create excitement, foster a sense of community, and give followers a reason to tag friends, expanding your reach organically.
 
Example: A small bakery ran the #BIGDEALBakes challenge, inviting followers to post photos recreating a signature recipe. Featured posts boosted visibility by 40%.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded challenge templates for followers to post or tag friends.
 
3. Behind-the-Scenes or Day-in-the-Life Posts
 Show the human side of your organization. Whether it’s a volunteer sorting donations, a team member preparing for an event, or a peek into your creative process, behind-the-scenes content builds trust and personal connection, and audiences feel like you’re letting them in on a secret.
 
Example: A nonprofit shared a reel showing volunteers prepping for a fundraiser, generating hundreds of heartfelt comments.
 
Visual Suggestion: Short video clips or Instagram Reels with playful captions.
 
4. Interactive Infographics
 Transform facts and statistics into swipeable (like an Instagram carousel) or clickable graphics (like a Facebook story) that invite followers to engage. Nonprofits can highlight impact numbers, while businesses can share industry insights, making learning fun and visually appealing.
 
Example: An animal rescue posted a carousel of “5 Ways Your Donation Helps Animals,” resulting in a 25% increase in shares.
 
Visual Suggestion: Carousel posts with bold icons, numbers, and animated elements.
 
5. Photo Contests
 Encourage your audience to share their own photos related to your brand or mission. Highlighting participants in your feed or stories not only rewards engagement but also builds a library of user-generated content you can use for future campaigns.
 
Example: A community fitness brand ran a #FitForChange photo contest, showcasing top entries in weekly stories. Engagement doubled during the contest period.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded announcement post with clear instructions and deadline.
 
6. Live Trivia
 Host a live trivia event relevant to your cause or industry. This is a playful way to educate followers, foster friendly competition, and keep your audience tuned in for real-time engagement. Ideal platforms include Facebook and Instagram stories or polls.
 
Example: A local museum hosted “Art Trivia Tuesdays” on Instagram Live, drawing 50+ viewers each session and sparking lively discussion.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded slides with questions, countdown timers, and live polls.

Reddit is an ideal platform for live Q&A sessions called “Ask Me Anything"

7. Live Q&A
 Give your followers direct access to your team or experts in your field. A live Q&A allows for authentic, real-time conversations where you can answer questions, address concerns, or share insights. Ideal platforms include Facebook and Instagram stories or polls, Reddit AMAs (“Ask-Me-Anything”), or LinkedIn Live and LinkedIn Audio.
 
Example: A nonprofit CEO hosted a Reddit AMA about an upcoming campaign, resulting in 50+ meaningful questions and increased email sign-ups.
 
Visual Suggestion: Live session overlay graphics, pinned comment box for questions.
 
8. Virtual Workshops or Classes
 Teach a skill or share knowledge via live or pre-recorded sessions. Whether it’s a cooking demo, a craft tutorial, or a training on your nonprofit’s mission, workshops provide tangible value and encourage repeated engagement. You can create always-accessible videos on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or TikTok, or go live to create a limited-time experience for viewers.
 
Example: A craft store hosted weekly virtual DIY workshops. Attendees shared completed projects, creating UGC (user-generated content) and recurring engagement.
 
Visual Suggestion: Step-by-step video clips, carousel instructions, or downloadable PDFs.
 
9. Interactive Stories
 Both Instagram and Facebook offer “Ask me anything,” polls, or sliders in stories. These tools let followers participate actively rather than passively scrolling, and they offer a quick, informal way to connect.
 
Example: A local bookstore asked followers to vote on the next book for their online book club, increasing story engagement by 35%.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded story templates with prompts and stickers.
 
10. Partnership Takeovers
 Invite a partner organization, influencer, or community member to take over your account for a day. Takeovers bring fresh perspectives, expand your audience, and showcase collaboration authentically.
 
Example: A food bank partnered with a local chef to take over Instagram stories, sharing a behind-the-scenes cooking demo while promoting a fundraiser. Engagement surged, and new followers joined.
 
Visual Suggestion: Split-screen graphics highlighting guest hosts with your logo.
 
11. Badges or Rewards
 Gamify engagement by offering recognition or digital badges for participating in campaigns, attending events, or completing challenges. This creates motivation and encourages followers to come back for more. Instagram creators can offer badges to viewers during Live videos, and Reddit allows users to give badges or rewards to others’ posts and comments.
 
Example: A nonprofit recognized top donors with #BIGDEALStar badges shared on social media, boosting repeat engagement and online donations.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded digital badges or icons displayed in stories or posts.
 
12. Feature Audience Stories
 Highlight the people behind your community: supporters, clients, or volunteers. Sharing their stories not only celebrates them but also strengthens the sense of belonging and trust in your organization or brand, plus tagging their accounts expands your post reach for free.
 
Example: A local pet shelter shared a follower’s adoption story, accompanied by a heartfelt photo. The post received 3x more comments than typical updates.
 
Visual Suggestion: Quote cards with photos and short captions.

Similar to behind-the-scenes content, live or recorded tours of your office, warehouse, or an event make your organization transparent and relatable.

13. Facility or Event Tours
 Bring followers into your space, whether it’s an office, a warehouse, or a local event. Similar to BTS (behind-the-scenes) content, live or recorded tours make your organization more transparent, relatable, and engaging while showcasing your work in action. These posts are popular for giving your audience a glimpse into areas that are often off-limits to the public.
 
Example: A nonprofit hosted a live tour of their community garden before a fundraising dinner, sparking excitement and driving RSVPs.
 
Visual Suggestion: 360° video clips, Instagram Live, or guided photo tours.
 
When used effectively, social media is a tool for connection, storytelling, and relationship-building. Download our FREE Content Marketing Simplified printable to get started.
 
At BIG DEAL Company, we love helping organizations craft dynamic campaigns that leave a lasting impact. Start small, test what resonates, and watch your followers become an active, enthusiastic part of your story.

​Frequently Asked Questions
 
1. What social media platforms are best for unique engagement tactics?
 
A: Most tactics can be adapted for multiple platforms. Instagram and Facebook are ideal for polls, quizzes, stories, and live sessions. LinkedIn works well for professional Q&As, workshops, and industry-focused content. Reddit AMAs are perfect for deeper, text-based interactions, while TikTok and YouTube are great for challenges, behind-the-scenes videos, and tutorials. Choose platforms based on where your audience is most active.
 
2. How can nonprofits and small businesses measure engagement success?
 
A: Engagement isn’t just about likes or shares. Track comments, poll participation, story interactions, click-throughs, and conversions (like sign-ups or donations). UGC (user-generated content) and repeat participation in challenges or events are also strong indicators of success.
 
3. How can BIG DEAL Company help my business or nonprofit create these types of engaging social media content?
A: BIG DEAL Company helps you plan, create, and manage interactive social media campaigns. We design eye-catching graphics, polls, quizzes, and videos, schedule posts and live events, engage your community, and track results to optimize future campaigns. Our goal is to turn followers into active participants who connect with your mission or brand.

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BIG DEAL Company makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. As purveyors of fun with BIG DEAL, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Serving Colorado & Wyoming. We travel too!

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