Like Me, Please

A large amount of focus is being given these days on the number of followers a person, company, or group has on social media. I understand this focus, completely. In the social media world, the more followers you have, the more relevant you are. The more followers you have on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and all the other platforms, the deeper your imprint, and the louder your digital voice.

All this focus on the number of followers might be missing the point, though. What if I have thousands of followers, but very few likes on Instagram?

What could be more damaging to a brand, be it a personal brand or a corporate brand: many followers with few likes, or fewer followers with many likes? What about a healthy ratio of followers to likes?

Far be it from me to argue that the number of followers on Instagram isn’t important. I can’t make that argument. Your number of followers on Instagram is key to your success on Instagram or any social media site.  I do argue though, that likes on Instagram are perhaps as important as the number of followers.

Of course, the more followers you have, the more likely you are to generate tons of likes on Instagram. It is possible, however, to have followers, but for your posts to not really capture the imaginations or the hearts of those followers.

There are services that help you buy Instagram followers. There is nothing wrong with this widely-used practice. These companies offer real followers, at very reasonable prices. These followers will engage your social media content, so both critical needs are taken care of: your follower count goes up, and your posts gain likes.

Real Instagram followers equal real human hearts; these hearts that can be touched, and engage with your posts. Those heartfelt engagements are likes. A like on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter shows an investment of time and feelings. A like is a virtual wink or a hug.

How does one get hugged by their Instagram followers? How do we receive the love of our fellow social media users, the love which comes from those precious likes?

From one human being to another, let me tell you what I like on Instagram. From one social media user to another, let me tell you what makes me give out positive, affirming likes on Instagram.

I like very human posts, posts that are vulnerable but not exhibitionist; posts that are heartfelt but not sappy. I like posts with children and dogs.  I like posts where parents and dog owners express wonder, praise, and love for their children and furries. I don’t like posts where those parents and owners make grandiose claims about the beauty or talent of her human or canine kids. I like the love, presented authentically, and somehow humbly.

I like the posts that express support for a team or a cause that don’t make me feel less than if the team or the cause isn’t my own.

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