Are you struggling to find Social Media Content Ideas that get real engagement? We’ve all been there, every one of us.
You spend hours creating social media posts with amazing images and captions… and then… crickets. Instead of people engaging with your content, it’s only a few likes here and there.
It can be frustrating, honestly, especially when you’ve put your heart (and part of your marketing budget) into your social media strategy.
But don’t worry, because, In this post, we’ll explore ten top-performing social media content ideas guaranteed to boost engagement.
Key Takeaway
- Asking questions or sparking discussions can drive meaningful interactions.
- Hosting contests creates excitement and urgency, leading to a surge in engagement.
- User-generated content (UGC) boosts trust and encourages people to participate.
- Live Q&A sessions allow for real-time engagement and connection with your audience.
- Collaborating with influencers can increase your reach and credibility. Addressing current hot topics keeps your content relevant and timely.
1. Ask Questions & Spark Discussions
One of the easiest ways to get people talking is by simply asking them a question. It could be as simple as “What’s your favorite snack?” or more specific, like “Which new feature would you like to see next in our app?”
Questions invite your followers to share their opinions, making them feel like their voice matters (which they actually do).
In fact, Harvard Business School actually had to prove this, so they experimented.
In an exercise, they paired up students to have a conversation, and assigned each one of them one of three conditions:
- High-question condition – instructed to ask more questions.
- Low-question condition – instructed to ask very few questions.
- Control condition – no specific instructions were given.
Remember, this exercise was designed to explore the impact of asking questions within social interactions.
After the exercise, the researchers had participants rate themselves and their partners on things like likeability, how enjoyable the conversation was, and willingness to engage in future interactions.
And here’s where the whole thing starts getting interesting!
Students in the High-question condition were perceived as more likable. Also, they learned more about their partners compared to the other two.
The key takeaway from this exercise is that questioning your audience allows you to gently steer the conversation and avoid awkward silences, which can increase comfort levels.
So, don’t shy away from asking questions or even conducting polls to get your followers engaged. Also, don’t forget to always respond to their answers because it let them know you’re listening.
2. Host Contests & Giveaways
Would you love to win a free flight ticket to your dream location? …Yeah, even me!
Who doesn’t like free things? Contests and giveaways are crowd favorites and can create excitement like no other.
In fact, by offering a prize for a contest, you are simply motivating users to engage with your post, follow your page, and even share it with their friends, expanding your reach in the process.
In fact, this strategy worked well for FlySafair. They were able to get over 18,000 post shares on Facebook and 12,000 retweets on X for just one sweepstake, and pull in over 150,000 entries in three years.
For this sweepstake, FlySafair gave out a free flight ticket to the winner as their prize, no wonder it performed extremely well.
You can also do the same, no matter your budget. Your prize doesn’t have to break the bank—a branded t-shirt, a discount, or even a shout-out can work wonders.
And remember, contests create a sense of urgency. Users know they have a limited time to participate, so they’re more likely to engage quickly.
Pro Tip: Make sure the contest rules are simple, and encourage participants to tag friends. The more people involved, the bigger the engagement!
3. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-generated content (UGC) is the best form of social proof. And trust me, it works. When your audience sees others talking about your product or service, they’re more likely to trust your brand and engage with your content.
In fact, 93% of consumers find UGC helpful when making purchasing decisions. That’s a huge number!
Purple Mattress is a perfect example. Purple was eager to get UGC, so they turned their customers into brand champions using the Roster platform.
These champions shared their unique content, and Purple Mattress saw a huge increase in visibility and interaction with fans. As a result, they saw over $300k in revenue.
And guess what? This strategy works for everyone. So, encourage your customers to share their experiences with your brand on social media and repost their content. It will also make your followers feel appreciated and part of your brand community.
4. Host Q&A Live Sessions
There’s something special about real-time engagement. You get to connect with your audience in an immediate and personal way, just like having a conversation.
And honestly, this personal connection builds trust. When users ask questions and get answers right then and there, they feel heard and valued.
There are two ways you can do this:
- By going LIVE on social media
- By having your followers ask questions on the comment section
Almost all the social media platforms have these features. If you are shy of going LIVE, you can use the comments.
@Microsoftidc, for example usually hosts comment-based Q&A section on Instagram where they have followers ask any question about their brand and get instant answers.
This not only helps users but also builds a transparent relationship between the brand and its audience.
If you are a small business owner, live Q&As can address questions about products, services, or even industry tips.
5. Engage Influencers
The best social media content idea is to engage an influencer. Have them talk about your brand, and then share their content on your handles.
Influencers can give your content a serious engagement boost. Why? Because they’ve already built trust with their audience. When they recommend your brand, their followers are much more likely to listen.
In short, brands that collaborate with influencers can see up to 11 times higher ROI compared to traditional marketing methods!
When Filip Tysander, the founder of Daniel Wellington (a watch brand known for its minimalist designs) wanted to create brand awareness on Instagram, he decided to offer influencers free watches in exchange for featuring them in their posts. And it worked!
In fact, using this strategy, Daniel Wellington Sold 1 Million Watches or $228M in Just 3 Years!
You can also get similar results without breaking the bank. Consider working with micro-influencers who have smaller, but highly engaged audiences.
Pro Tip: Choose influencers whose audience aligns with your brand’s values. Authenticity is key!
6. Address Hot Topics & Industry Trends
Trends and hot topics are what everyone is interested in. People want to know what’s happening around them, especially when it has to do with things that interest them.
Whether it’s the latest social media trends, new tech updates, or big news in your industry, addressing these topics keeps your content relevant and timely. And trust me, your followers will appreciate it if our brand stays in the loop.
Let’s take the beauty industry for example. According to Dove’s new Real State of Beauty report, the checklist for how women perceive they should look is growing, and impossible to meet.
So, the brand addressed this issue with the Real Beauty campaign, challenging traditional beauty standards, and promoting self-acceptance, featuring images of real women.
The campaign did not only go viral, it also helped Dove win consumers’ loyalty and affection.
But for you, hot topics could mean seasonal trends or industry news. Make sure your content stays fresh and timely. Keep an eye on what’s trending in your industry and jump in with your take. This positions your brand as relevant and informed.
7. Create How-To Guides & Tutorials
If you are selling a product (or promoting one), creating a guide on how to use your products could be the best social media content idea In 2025.
People consider several things before making a purchase. One of the things they think is the ease of use. And by looking at your products from a distance, they may not know how easy or difficult it would be.
But, creating a step-by-step guide and tutorials helps educate them, and establish your brand as an expert in your field. Plus, it keeps your audience coming back for more!
For example, Canva regularly posts short video tutorials on Instagram Reels, demonstrating how to use their design features.
These how-to guides are perfect for keeping users engaged while also helping them improve their skills.
Think about what your audience wants to learn. If you run a bakery, you could post a tutorial on decorating cupcakes. If you’re a small tech company, you could share a guide on optimizing software settings. The possibilities are endless!
Break down your tutorials into easy-to-follow steps and use visuals to make them more engaging.
8. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content
The easiest way to build trust with your audience is by showing them how your products are made. Or at least, the faces behind your brand. This will make your business more relatable and trustworthy.
In fact, a study finds that professionally produced behind-the-scenes content can significantly enhance viewer engagement, especially among women who typically exhibit lower levels of science curiosity.
@Oreo knows this, that’s why they continue sharing glimpses of how they create new flavors or campaigns.
But you don’t have to be a big brand to share this kind of content. In short, behind-the-scenes content could mean sharing how you prepare for an event, a look at your team’s daily routines, or how your products are made.
Don’t be afraid to show the less polished side of things. People love authenticity!
9. Utilize Memes & Humor
Everyone loves a good laugh! Memes and humorous posts can make your brand more relatable, and when done right, they can spark tons of engagement.
Just think about the number of times you’ve shared a funny meme with your friends.
ClickUp is a great example of this social media content idea. They use memes about productivity struggles that really resonate with their audience.
The light-hearted content is not only shareable but also gives their followers something to smile about.
You can tap into this too. start creating or sharing memes relevant to your industry as this can show that your brand doesn’t take itself too seriously and can connect with customers on a personal level.
However, Keep it light and relatable. Just make sure the humor fits your brand voice!
10. Highlight Customer Stories & Testimonials
Your happy customers are your selling point. Sharing their stories or testimonials can build social proof, and encourage others to engage with your brand.
Consumers trust other people’s experiences more than they trust brand messaging—93% of consumers find user-generated content very helpful when making purchasing decisions.
Walls.io frequently shares customer testimonials on Instagram, showing how businesses use their platform successfully.
This builds credibility and encourages potential customers to give their platform a try.
You can also use customer testimonials to build your brand trust. Share reviews, quotes, or even short videos from happy customers to encourage others to try your products or services.
Share testimonials across all your platforms. Authentic feedback can resonate deeply with potential customers!
Conclusion
There you have it! the top ten social media content ideas that get engagement. But don’t just stop there. Try other content ideas too.
Social media engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It requires thoughtful planning, creativity, and a genuine connection with your audience. By using these content ideas, from asking questions and hosting contests to leveraging humor and customer stories, you can create content that not only gets seen but also sparks meaningful interactions.
So, what are you waiting for? Start creating content that gets your followers talking, laughing, and sharing today!
What’s your favorite content type? let us know in the comment section.
