How to reach a wider audience on social media
Simple ways community groups can grow their reach online.
To reach a wider audience on social media, community groups can partner with local organisations to share content, post video, work with trusted local voices, and use small, targeted paid ads.
Four ways to reach a wider audience on social media
Partner with local organisations
Social media is built on sharing, so work with organisations you already partner with to create content together. Ideas include:
- interviews
- opinion pieces by respected people in your community
- event coverage.
When several organisations share the same content, you reach people outside your usual audience.
Share content people engage with
Social media changes quickly, so keep up with what works on each platform, especially if you’re trying to reach young people. Video, including short and live video, tends to get more engagement than text or still images, and live video can make your group feel more authentic and approachable.
Work with peer leaders and trusted local voices
Peer leaders and well-known local people can share your key messages in a voice their networks trust. Ideas include:
- guest posts you share across both your channels and theirs, such as LinkedIn, websites and email newsletters
- hosted Q&As or live online discussions
- tips, stats and facts shared across social channels over a few weeks.
Use paid advertising
For wider reach, you may need to pay to promote your posts. Start by deciding what you want people to do:
- Reach and awareness: get your message in front of as many people as possible.
- Engagement and clicks: get people to comment, share or visit your website.
Each platform lets you target ads to particular audiences, such as people in your local area or a certain age group. To get started, visit Meta Business for Facebook and Instagram ads.