When selling online, getting the attention of your customers tastes ingenuity and constant tending. Having a social media presence is the first step, then advertising, but what makes for good content and creates engagement with your audience?

Once you have their attention, keeping it requires a mix of lifestyle posts, interactive ‘ask the audience’ type content, and fun ‘behind the scenes’ peeks.

Lifestyle posts should show how your products can be used in a setting that appeals to your customer. If you have specifically targeted busy moms as your audience for example, you might benefit by creating ‘me time- tea time’ posts that suggest to the viewer which teas to use to for relaxation and create an oasis when they finally get a moment to themselves. Images of teas on a chaise by the pool on a sunny day, or on a small table by a foamy bubble bath in soft candlelight work well. If they can picture themselves in that moment, they are likely to click on your link and make a purchase. Another example is targeting the on-the-go nature buff, for whom you would focus on tea-to-travel products such as travel tumblers. Include photos of the teas and tumblers in outside settings, like in the mountains or by a campfire, with small jars or tins of loose-leaf tea to take along for the adventure.

Interactive posts are those that invoke a response with your audience and makes it all about them. This can be as simple as “What is your favorite dessert?” with a photo collage of several classic desserts. People LOVE to share their opinions, and this gets them to engage with you, plus now you will know the most popular dessert for your next tea blend or if you have a tearoom, your next menu!

Contests are another way to get customers to interact. Examples of fun contests are voting on new products for you to add, ‘name the tea’ contests, and inviting them to a scavenger hunt on your website with little clues. Everyone who completes the hunt should get a coupon code or a free tea sample, as a reward for their efforts with a bigger prize for one of the participants, perhaps selected at random. This will drive traffic to your website as well as expose your customers to additional products that they might not have found on their own.

Behind-the-scenes peeks are fun for customers and let them feel like they are an insider and part of the team! Show little videos of new products or your in-house tea tastings, or when you are moving or making additions to your space. Customers will feel like their contribution by way of purchases is helpful and that they are making a difference for your small business.

There are many ways to inspire online engagement. Let these suggestions be a springboard for your great ideas! Keep trying until you find what works for your customer base and keep them checking in for more content and stronger connection!