As a social media marketer, I dedicate ample time every day to perfecting a progressive strategy that will help take our clients to the next level of social prosperity. In my socially crazed mind of monitoring, creating content, blogging and building insights from our analytics, I am still confronted by the question that every client wants to know: how do I get more Likes on Facebook?

This one simple question has so many complex answers. There are multiple ways to introduce your brand into the social community and gain Likes in a short period of time. But as a social media marketer, it is my job to help guide our clients to see beyond the Like. I want our clients to think about what happens after the Likes. How do we engage? How do we connect with our audience?

We need to de-clutter and add value to our consumer’s everyday life to build a social community worthy of constant contact. Here are a few insider strategies for gaining social brand recognition after the ever-so-popular Like button is hit:

  1. Everyone Wins! Think about the social exchange value between your brand and your audience. What do you hope to gain from them? An email address? A Facebook Like? Linking your Facebook page? If you can create an opportunity for fans to have a social action with your brand and also give them something in return whether it’s a promotion or newsletter signup it starts that interaction.
  2. Dive head first into analytics! Many platforms such as Google Analytics, Foursquare, and Facebook give you data and metrics to help track your conversions and engagement levels. This will give you further insight into what is working and what isn’t.
  3. Find your Brand Advocates. Once you review your metrics, you can begin to segment your fan base. This is where you can identify key stakeholders within your social community. By rewarding these so-called Super Fans with a contest or prize, you can push content to other potential influencers.

It is up to brands to foster authentic relationships through strategy and content planning. Give your community something worth talking about. If you produce useful, shareable content consistently, Fans will give you the opportunity for engagement.

+Anna Lea Crowe Social Media Strategist at Webhead Interactive.