Why Do Users Share Content?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Users share social media content for many reasons. According to various studies, here are some of the top motivations people have when sharing content on social media:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. It provides informative and entertaining content for other readers.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When we see something we think our friends or family will enjoy or find resourceful, we share it with them. Informative content not only adds value to our lives but also provides a new perspective and helpful tidbits of information that may come in handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, a 2017 study<\/a> reveals that 5 out of the 10 most viral posts that year were about practical life hacks. While the third most shared content was an exclusive news article about a celebrity\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n In the digital age, our social media profiles have become a venue for us to share our thoughts and feelings. When we\u2019re mad at someone or something, chances are you\u2019ll rant about it on social media. Or if you\u2019ve encountered a quote that coincides with your values and beliefs, we can\u2019t hit the share button any faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the reasons why we share content on social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a New York Times study<\/a>, 68% of social media users share content to give people a better sense of who they are and what they care about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In these busy times, one can\u2019t always have a long phone conversation with the people they\u2019re close to. But with one click, you can send them a post or a meme that\u2019ll reestablish that connection. We can share our opinions and experiences with them or simply just laugh at a silly picture!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study by the Pew Research Center<\/a> also suggests that parents use a wide range of social media platforms and as much as 74% of them are on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n We like posting about the causes we support to raise awareness or sway opinions. The same goes for brands. When we like a brand, we want more people to know how amazing it is too. Statistics<\/a> also suggest that up to 36% of Instagram users and 35% of Twitter users use social media to follow brands and companies. These users are more likely to share branded content too.<\/p>\n\n\n By sharing content, we feel more connected and relevant. We feel like we have something to contribute, and that\u2019s always a good feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the same New York Times study, 85% of people said they understood and processed things better after reading other peoples\u2019 posts about them. About 73% of those people said that they were better able to digest information after sharing posts from other people. Social media posting helps these people manage and comprehend information as it comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When something appeals to us emotionally, we tend to share the post. According to Jonah Berger\u2019s research<\/a>, positive posts received more engagement while negative emotions increased virality. Sad posts, however, decreased it. One study<\/a> also found that advertising campaigns with purely emotional content performed twice as much as those containing a purely rational message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When companies post about giveaways or social media contests<\/a>, they generally make a CTA asking readers to share their page or their posts. Many readers do so to get a chance to win the gift\/prize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, a survey<\/a> conducted in 2018 revealed that more than 90% of brands use social media to organize giveaways.<\/p>\n\n\n Many factors come into play to make a social media post engaging. Here are a few: <\/p>\n\n\n\n What type of posts does your fan base respond to? Do they enjoy funny posts or serious ones? Are they casual or professional? Formulate your posts according to their style and address them in the first person to connect with them better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Readers have short attention spans. Their interest will be gauged by the first 3 to 4 words in your post so choose them carefully. And if they have to click the \u201cRead More\u201d button, chances are they won\u2019t do it. A good rule of thumb is to use anywhere from 100 to 250 characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Posts that have pictures get more likes than ones without. Also, visuals with color are known to increase people\u2019s willingness to read a post by 80%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photos make your posts more engaging. They enhance the user experience. According to research, it has been constantly proven that posts with colorful, appealing images get more shares and clicks than other content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get people more involved in your posts by asking them a question, asking them to like or share your content, and even setting up a poll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Colorful little visuals make a post stand out. They add a casual, friendly vibe to your page. Just like pictures, they look engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These clickable keywords increase the visibility of your posts, allowing you to increase your reach among audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With all the effort you put into your social media page, you\u2019ll obviously want to reap the benefits. So we\u2019ve rounded up some of the most game-changing tips from social media marketing experts to help you elevate your social media content creation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/why-do-users-share-content-1-727x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n2. It represents our feelings, mood, or personality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. It enables us to connect with our loved ones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/why-do-users-share-content-3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n4. To support a cause they believe in or to endorse a brand they like<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/why-do-users-share-content-4.jpg\")
5. To get a sense of self-fulfillment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Managing information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Emotion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. For an incentive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/why-do-users-share-content-5.jpg\")
What Makes Social Media Content Engaging?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Cater to your Audience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Keeping it Short<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Add a Photo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Having a Call to Action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Emojis are your Best Friend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Hashtags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Write Engaging Social Media Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Mark Schaefer<\/a>: \u201cDevelop your Audience.\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n